Opinion on choosing a wheel set (tyre & rim) for handling upgrade

[Bagachin]

Hi guys

I got my Polo GTi for about a month now. Great great little car, of course it has its shortcoming, but god it's fun to zip around in it.

For those people who don't want to hear my complaining about the tyre i had on my car you can skip this part.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the biggest complain i have and easily can be fix is the tyre noise. The tyres come with the car is the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx. For me, it's almost hopeless. It just makes too much noises. I am not really talking about the rolling noise here (although also not exactly quiet). It squeaks! It squeaks on slightly heavy throttle start, squeak on harder cornering (really not that hard..) and of course squeak like seeing a ghost when i go full throttle in front of the traffic light.

Now, I admit that I like to enjoy the punchy engine from time to time (still under the speed limit, just reach it faster than many other car), but this set of tyre makes me "sound" like street hoon all the time and i am definitely NOT. Of course, you can drive like a granny, then your tyres will never ever make noise louder than pin dropping on the floor, but if that's the case, why do you really bother buying a GTi in the first place, i would never know.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So i would like to change a set of tyre and (conveniently) a new set of rim at the same time (always love aftermarket rim for that extra character)

Before I start asking my question and you guys start kindly donating all your 2cents, I just want to make one thing clear. My first priority for a tyre & rim combo is performance & handling. Nothing else. Yes, the look is important, but I will not upgrade to a set of 18 inch if it deteriorates or scarifies handling. On the other hand, if upgrading to a set of 18 inch will improve the handling over 17, then i will consider. Also, I will put my focus on road use, NOT track use, so anything that will only benefit the car on track, it's irrelevant to me here.

Here goes my questions below

For Rim, the stock rim size is below (do tell me if i am wrong though)

PCD: 5x100
Centre bore: 57.1
Offset: 46 (corrected)
Mounting Bolt: 14 x 1,50

Source: PCD Volkswagen Polo (2010 - ) wheels -Wheel Fitment.eu - PCD, Offset and Center Bore data


For those people who have been looking for a set of aftermarket rim should know by now that Polo's rim size is a bit*h, the 5x100 PCD kills so many options that i had in mind. Most of the JDM rim that i love have no such size. There is one particular Gram lights 57G

RAYS CO., LTD.

It has 17x7, 5x100, but it has centre bore of 56 (if i remember correctly) which will not fit unless i machine it to 57.1 and no i won't (please don't try to convince me it's safe, it might be safe after all, but i will not do it.)

The option is running out FAST especially when I am trying to stick to JDM rims and the stock size. that makes me start thinking what if other size rim is even better for handling (breaking also maybe?)? If so, i MIGHT just have more options.

So my question is, what rim size/offset i should upgrade to to provide me the maximum handling improvement? 17x7.5? 17x8? Even a 18x7.5? I am leaning towards 17x7.5 with 43 offset, what do you guys think?


For tyre

In terms of size, it will depend on what size of rim most of you guys will suggest, so I will park it for now.

However, IF the result is 17x7 for the rim, should i stick to 215x40x17? If so, it kinda sucks. Because i will need to pay a premium for the "uncommon" size. Apparently, the "common" size is 215x45x17. Seriously, why is uncommon? I have no idea...is it because no sports car use 17 inch rims these days and 17inch low profile tyre becomes so rare now?

In terms of brand, man there are so many options. However, interestingly, even though there seems to be unlimited options, when i decide to go for Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 which apparently have extremely good review everywhere, the dealer said "Sorry, it doesn't have the size of 215x40x17"......*trolling*...

anyway, here is the review for those who are interested.

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 | the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 reviewed and rated | the online tyre guide

So that option is out unless i have a different size rim, though i almost want to change rim just so i can use that tyre.

What else and what size do you guys recommend? I originally thought about Bridgestone's new RE002 or S001, but then after reading some review, I just don't think it's worth the price (not saying it's bad though). Let's just say they are not exactly bang for your buck type of tyre.

Anyway, another long thread, thanks for reading and looking forward to you guys' input.


Regards

[sanke1]

From my personal experience, my Polo with 15" factory alloys has far far better handling than my friend's upscaled aftermarket 16" wheels.
Frankly on Indian roads, the handling becomes laughable beyond 16".

Factoring in Australian roads, which must be smoother, I would still not recommend going 18" as you will feel even the smallest pebble on the road and won't give you any handling advantage apart from better looks. You may have to upgrade your springs possibly?

Stick to 17" and get suitable tyres.

I would like to recommend my favorites:

Team Imola 17" White

Team Imola 17" Black

They also have 18" versions on their website if you insist.

How they look?

Here

[Tigger]

I personally love the new detroits that can be fitted to the POLO GTI...

Tempe Tyres has them with continentals...

[GTI JOE]

I thought the offset for the Polo GTI was 46?

[dylan8]

Offset is nothing without width

[Bagachin]

From my personal experience, my Polo with 15" factory alloys has far far better handling than my friend's upscaled aftermarket 16" wheels.
Frankly on Indian roads, the handling becomes laughable beyond 16".

Factoring in Australian roads, which must be smoother, I would still not recommend going 18" as you will feel even the smallest pebble on the road and won't give you any handling advantage apart from better looks. You may have to upgrade your springs possibly?

Stick to 17" and get suitable tyres.

I would like to recommend my favorites:

Team Imola 17" White

Team Imola 17" Black

They also have 18" versions on their website if you insist.

How they look?

Here

Wow they look good indeed and i can never resist the gunmetal black....interestingly, this is the first set of wheels that i thought it looks better in real life than in the advertisement.

I too think sticking to 17 inch will be the best choice for road use (esp Aus road), how about width and offset now? 7.5 with 43~46?

[GTI JOE]

Yeah, I think 17's look just right on the Polo...18's look a little too big and strange. Perhaps go for 17X8 and ET35?

[JexL]

17x8 et35 needs guard rolling up front if you lower your car. That's what iv done

[Hail22]

These are my 17x7.5 Talladega Reps from the UK.

Personally prefer the 17's compared to 18's.

[nomadx38]

Just my 2 cents but as it stands going to a lower profile will better your handling in everyway. I went from my sloppy stock 15" (55 profile) to 17" (40 profile) and the difference is MASSIVE, it was unbelievable. Before I would get scrubbing going onto a freeway entrance at a pathetic 50km/h and under light throttle would under steer by a ton. With my 40 profile I can gun it onto the freeway at about 80km/h without any hiccups.

BUT...the ride quality has gotten worse, only a tiny bit, but worse nether the less as expected from having a stiffer side wall, but I rather less comfort for more performance.

Would I get 18" wheels? I would but as the roads are quite poor here in Victoria (and Australia in general) and getting too low of a profile tyre means that's they are more prone to blow outs. Along with even better grip, ride quality will decrease as well. Most car manufacturers in Australia only offer 40 profile for the lowest of tyres. Only once or twice have I seen cars with 35 profile tyres offered standard with a car.

So at the end of all that, I would personally stick with the 17" because they are the best size for both style (17x7 rim) and performance (stiff 40 profile tyres).
Thought going to a 18" will beat the 17" in those 2 points you are also prone to blow outs and even worse ride quality. Also I think any wider track and you run the risk of hitting the suspension / guards with the tyre.

[ATYPIC]

ET46 is correct.

If you can persuade yourself into getting 18s, I am selling these shortly.

Rays Gram Lights 57 Optimise 18x7.5 5x100 and professionally drilled from M12 to M14. Very light wheels. Comes with Rays spigot rings 65mm-57.1mm.

[Bagachin]

These are my 17x7.5 Talladega Reps from the UK.

Personally prefer the 17's compared to 18's.

Can you let me know the offset of the rim? Does it scrap when car is under heavy load? Also, how does it drive comparing to the stock 17x7? If possible, please provide both positive and negative points. Thanks!

[Bagachin]

ET46 is correct.

If you can persuade yourself into getting 18s, I am selling these shortly.

Rays Gram Lights 57 Optimise 18x7.5 5x100 and professionally drilled from M12 to M14. Very light wheels. Comes with Rays spigot rings 65mm-57.1mm.

Man, they look good. i am always a sucker of JDM wheels and this is very close to what i had in mind, i would take it in a heart beat if it's 17"...

However, can you provide some feedback driving on 18" on Polo? In terms of the appearance, I might not lower the car anytime soon, so i think the car might "look like" it sits a bit high with the 18" too...

Also, what do you mean by the wheel is professionally drilled from M12 to M14? Do you mean the hole on the rims were enlarged to fit M14 stud (assumed M14 is the stock size)?

[Hail22]

Can you let me know the offset of the rim? Does it scrap when car is under heavy load? Also, how does it drive comparing to the stock 17x7? If possible, please provide both positive and negative points. Thanks!

45, no scrubbing, I take apex's including the recently removed apex/ripple strip kerbs at the Telstra 500 track with ease/no scrubbing.

Cons: the rim is sitting flush with the tyre wall which means I lose the kerb protection that tyres provide (once you touch ever so slightly she will scratch!).

So total is 17 x7.5 ET 45

[Bagachin]

45, no scrubbing, I take apex's including the recently removed apex/ripple strip kerbs at the Telstra 500 track with ease/no scrubbing.

Cons: the rim is sitting flush with the tyre wall which means I lose the kerb protection that tyres provide (once you touch ever so slightly she will scratch!).

So total is 17 x7.5 ET 45

Thanks for the info Hail22, is there any noticeable improvement over the 17x7? I remember back them when i had another car and fitted a wider rim, I can feel the breaking is stronger and more stable. Cornering seems to be improved at a good marginal rate too.

Is it the same case? Also what size of tyre you are using? is it still 215x40x17?