Polo Questions - Brakes, Suspension, Audio, Wheels

[DUB 20V]

How much of an improvement over the standard polo's brakes are the GTI's. I am rather interested in them if its a reasonable improvement.


Also i have been looking around at wheel adapters for 5x100 to 5x112 and have come across these.

http://www.parts4vws.com/catalog/product_detail.asp?PartNumber=402555711

Im not sure which is meant by the 20mm offset, as they also come in 22, 23 and 25mm versions. Is this similar to spaces? Would spacers be required if i put 17 inch wheels on my polo if the width is tyre width is either 205 or 215

ive got R32 brakes for sale, witch will fit the polo. pm m if interested

[jamesatfish]

How much of an improvement over the standard polo's brakes are the GTI's. I am rather interested in them if its a reasonable improvement.

I'm not too sure as VW don't seem to publish the actual size of the brake discs in their brochures, so I don't know how big the standard Polo brakes are. I think the GTI discs are about 280mm.

That said, DUB 20V's R32 brakes would obviously be a step up again.

Would spacers be required if i put 17 inch wheels on my polo if the width is tyre width is either 205 or 215

Depends mainly on the wheel you pick if you're sticking with stock, GTI or R32 brakes. In those cases there should be sufficient clearance around the brake caliper such that you don't require spacers. If you're going with bigger brakes (like the Brembos I chose) you might start needing spacers with some wheels to clear the brake calipers.

With my brakes I would have needed about 25mm spacers to use any of the VW OEM 17" wheels designed for the Polo, all of which are 17x7". I am currently running a set of Audi TT wheels which are 17x7.5", and as such don't need spacers to clear the brakes.

The wheel hub adapters you are looking at are essentially spacers that also convert the PCD, so if you're running a wider wheel check that you're not pushing too close to the outside lip of the wheel arch particularly if you are lowering the car.

I would suggest that you make any changes to brakes & ride height first, then take your car somewhere you can test-fit different sets of wheels & spacers. That will ensure that the new wheels you buy will be compatible with the rest of your setup, rather than ending up (like I did) with a brand new set of wheels sitting in your garage that you can't use.

[VW GTI]

Just so you don't get too excited... Polos can't handle anything wider than 205 tyres as well.

[jamesatfish]

Just so you don't get too excited... Polos can't handle anything wider than 205 tyres as well.

Does this count for the GTI also? Mine came with 215/40 17 as fitted pre-delivery by the dealer to genuine VW 17" wheels and I haven't had any problems with rubbing or clearance. So far that's included regular driving, a motorkhana and a day at Wakefield Park.

Perhaps the slightly flared arches make the difference in the GTI?

[VW GTI]

I was told by Guy that the widest it'll take is 205. He had a real problem getting his ridiculous amount of power on the ground so tried everything, maybe you're not cornering hard enough

I have 205/40 17s and they are fine. I originally had 225/40 17 from the dealer's mistake and they wouldn't even corner like a grandma without rubbing.

[Flaps]

215 not 205 is the widest you can go without scrubbing.

215/40/17 or 215/35/18