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

[Hail22]

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?

I found a small improvement in the change, and yes I'm still running the 215x40x17 rubber...hence why the wheel is sitting flush now...hence now tyre protection for the kerbs

[sanke1]

Your fuel consumption will slightly increase by increasing wheel size.

[ATYPIC]

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)?

The overall diameter of the 225/35R18 series tyre on an 18inch rim is only 11mm more the stock 17inch tyres. In essence, this means the car is only sitting 5-6mm higher than stock. I do not subscribe to the personal view of many that 18s look too big on the Polo.

I've driven my car relatively hard on some very challenging stretches of bitchumen and it handles extremely well. Yes you will always experience less comfort when going to a larger wheel with less rubber in the sidewall, but for me it was something I could live with and now that I have just replaced the stock suspension with coilovers, the comfort has actually improved.

Regarding the drilling, yes the holes were enlarged as VW lug bolts are M14, and most Jap spec wheels are M12. I could have purchased adaptors but chose not to.

[ATYPIC]

Your fuel consumption will slightly increase by increasing wheel size.

In theory yes but I can still get 680kms out of a tank...that's not too bad.

[Hail22]

Your fuel consumption will slightly increase by increasing wheel size.

Not quite...average 680 and can go upwards of 700kms per tank

[PoloDave]

Are you people always driving down hill in neutral or something? I'm rarely reaching 600km and I'm a normal driver

[Hail22]

Are you people always driving down hill in neutral or something? I'm rarely reaching 600km and I'm a normal driver

When you've been racing single seaters/touring cars most of your life you tend to figure out ways to "conserve" fuel.

Now I agree its completely different due to conditions, traffic, traffic lights, pedestrians. But the smallest driver change can make a difference in how you wear out/preserve your tread, burn your fuel, and look after your vehicle as a whole

[readerr0r]

When you've been racing single seaters/touring cars most of your life you tend to figure out ways to "conserve" fuel.

Now I agree its completely different due to conditions, traffic, traffic lights, pedestrians. But the smallest driver change can make a difference in how you wear out/preserve your tread, burn your fuel, and look after your vehicle as a whole

My first car was a '95 318i. So I had that little l/100km needle on the tacho constantly judging me, it taught my really good habits!

Also isn't going neutral down hill is worse in modern cars compared to engine braking?

[Hail22]

My first car was a '95 318i. So I had that little l/100km needle on the tacho constantly judging me, it taught my really good habits!

Also isn't going neutral down hill is worse in modern cars compared to engine braking?

Where did I say that?

Engine braking is "easier" in the DSG...I would never thinking of shifting a semi auto from drive into neutral whilst driving "PERIOD" as it will call/ask for more air/fuel to initially burn when you engage it back into the drive or S gear (whichever you choose first) manual usually going to the highest gear whilst going down hill is what I have been doing since the early days then using your lower gears to aid braking/save fuel.

[nomadx38]

Hahaha I have a mate who has a BMW with one of those fuel economy needles, I found it hilarious, I acually asked him if it was broken because it was only on 0 when the engine was off XD.

And apparently it allways better to leave the car in drive. It says in the manual (and you can see it in your instant fuel gauge) that when you take you foot completely off the acceration it cuts all fuel to the engine and keeps the gear engaged to save a lot on fuel.

If you have it in manual it has to supply fuel to the engine to keep it running. (And again if you look at the instant fuel gage it runs about 1.4L/100)

[amazeer]

Are you people always driving down hill in neutral or something? I'm rarely reaching 600km and I'm a normal driver

That would probably be your 133hp chip. Hard to get a 30% power increase without consequence.

[PoloDave]

true, but running chipless for a while, car had to go for a service. Leaving it out for a while to get used to stock again and be amazed again when I put it back in

[Polo_GTI]

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

Are these the charcoal colour?

The website say's offset between 35 and 45 for 8J width. Do you know what the actual offset of the wheels are?

[sanke1]

Are these the charcoal colour?

The website say's offset between 35 and 45 for 8J width. Do you know what the actual offset of the wheels are?

Those are gunmetal color. The bloke who purchased them got them drilled professionally according to his Polo specifications.

I need to look up that person's blog and dig deeper as even I am interested in upsizing the 15" wheels on my ride here.

[Polo_GTI]

Those are gunmetal color. The bloke who purchased them got them drilled professionally according to his Polo specifications.

I need to look up that person's blog and dig deeper as even I am interested in upsizing the 15" wheels on my ride here.

I could only see them in charcoal, black and white.

Are the rims pictured 17 or 18"?
They shouldn't need to be drilled, the PCD is 5x100

If you can dig deeper and find out that'll be great