Tryes size for our Polo GTI

[Timbo]

Not sure it is legal to run 8 inch wide rims on the Gti. You are only allowed an extra inch on the maximum width on the tyre placard.

You can run 8" rims IF they are of the correct offset and don't either cause rubbing or extend the type beyond the bodywork. A few people have fitted the 17x8 optional wheel that was supplied with the V6 Bora Sport. The problem is fitting a tyre wider than 205. I understand it has been done.

[Blitzen]

A 205 tyre is 8 inches wide & is best suited to a 8" wide rim. Would there be a problem with that since they're already stock 205s on an under sized 6.5" stock rim?

Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread - just interested as I am thinking of doing the same.

Sorry mate, a 235 tyre is designed for a wheel which is 8in wide. 215 is for 7 in, a 205 is for 6.5in and a 195 is for 6in wide. Just remember that the tyre width(205) is a measurement of the inside between the 2 beads of the wheel, not between the outer surfaces of the wheel rims.

[Whubbsie]

You can run 8" rims IF they are of the correct offset and don't either cause rubbing or extend the type beyond the bodywork. A few people have fitted the 17x8 optional wheel that was supplied with the V6 Bora Sport. The problem is fitting a tyre wider than 205. I understand it has been done.

whats the correct offset though?

[mozzzy_2000]

Sorry mate, a 235 tyre is designed for a wheel which is 8in wide. 215 is for 7 in, a 205 is for 6.5in and a 195 is for 6in wide. Just remember that the tyre width(205) is a measurement of the inside between the 2 beads of the wheel, not between the outer surfaces of the wheel rims.

I was just referring back to what I had read & I must have misinterpreted what it was saying but they do mention as an example that a 205 tyre being 8" should be on at least a 7" rim or bigger. So perhaps a 205 on a 7" would be ideal and 7.5" would be pushing it but not impossible? Its interesting though because on the Oz wheels site they list several 8" wide rims as being suitable for the Polo 9N. It makes it hard to I guess because you don't actually know until you try to fit the wheel/tyre in the first place.

Anyway this is what I read on Balance Motorsport:

Generally speaking it helps to have a wider wheel. Assuming you are already running low profile tyres of a reasonable width you may benefit from increasing the rim width. For optimum performance it is good to have a rim as wide, or wider than the tyre. This will stretch the sidewall of the tyre making it stiffer and ensuring that there is less deflection of the tyre in the corner. This results in lower slip angles and a higher limit of adhesion. It will also reduce ride quality, and potentially make on limit handling less forgiving (you can rarely have your cake and eat it!). For example a 205mm tyre is 8 inches wide. So if you are running 205 tyres on anything less than a 7.0” rim you would benefit from a wider rim (Exactly the opposite is true of putting tyres wider than the rim). Before choosing your wheel you need to know your current offset and establish if you will have problems with the wheel fouling the arches or the suspension of the car. Fitting a wider wheel without increasing offset will possibly cause problems with clearance on the suspension components at tighter lock.

[Grant]

You can see the "Optimum" rim width for each tyre size on the Michelin website - Here

[Blitzen]

Great find man.

[kelvniii]

Thank you mate!

Size Min. rim optimum Max. rim
Width Width Width
215/40ZR17 7.0 7.5 8.5

So... IF the OZ rim width size is 8x17 and
I'm still able to run 215/40 R17 ref. to the data...

since the max width is 8.5??

am i right?
cuz I'm dump in rims size...
thx mates!! really thx!!

[pologti18t]

You can run 8" rims IF they are of the correct offset and don't either cause rubbing or extend the type beyond the bodywork. A few people have fitted the 17x8 optional wheel that was supplied with the V6 Bora Sport. The problem is fitting a tyre wider than 205. I understand it has been done.

Umm. I said LEGALLY.

People should read this...

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi09_rev4.pdf

[Timbo]

I was being "LEGAL"!

Why would fitting 8" rims, with the correct offset, to replace the Pog's standard 7" rims be illegal in terms of what is written in the RTA's "guidelines" (which is neither legislation or regulation, BTW)?

However, all this is beside the point really, as 215's will fit 7.5" rims quite perfectly. Fitting larger than 215 will be the cause of headaches, methinks

[VWindahouse]

Standard polo rims are 16x6.5 not 16x7.

[Timbo]

Yes, but VW offers 17x7 optional wheels as factory approved options

[JCM308]

Yes, but VW offers 17x7 optional wheels as factory approved options

Problem is that the cops and RTA look at the standard rim size not the optional rim size (using the plackard on the car). So "Legally" you can only fit 7.5" rims to the car.

[VW GTI]

Problem is that the cops and RTA look at the standard rim size not the optional rim size (using the plackard on the car). So "Legally" you can only fit 7.5" rims to the car.

Wrong.

It's taken off the largest factory option wheel you can get.

[Y2008]

so do you guys think the polo would handle 225/35R17 without rubbing? and would that still be the case if its lowered with the H&R 35mm springs?

[kelvniii]

225/35 R17 will be fine if you lowered 35mm