Anyone know anything about cars/wheels?

[Dave20046]

Alright gang,
It's just about new tyre time for the car and my wheels are hideous so I wanna replace them for some tasteful alloys. Could someone just tell me if I fit 18" wheels to my car how will it affect it i.e stress on the tierods/axle/gearbox or whatever,speedo calibration, turning circle & general handling.
I'm guessing I'm looking at 17-18"s to fill the arches properly?
It's a mk4 golf btw.

Cheers org :salut:

[ophic]

what size are the original wheels?

[Jamiebridges123]

I think you can get 17 or 18's standard fitted to the Mk4 anyway.. shouldn't be a problem.. should have more grip, harder ride..

[hovis]

15's standad?

i think 18's will rub, unless you cut the arches away a bit.

17's may be the same with 3 in the back

have you done any thing to the suspension?

[Mr Speirs]

Just make sure that fitting 18"'s will still fit in the arches at full lock. Although the wheel diameter increases the width will also increase which can cause issues.

In terms of speedo calbibration and all that I don't think it will affect it noticably.

And in terms of stress on the tierods/axle/gearbox it will be fine as long as you get wheels that fit without having to use spacers etc.

[Dave20046]

what size are the original wheels?
*think* they are 16s .would have to check

[ophic]

you can often go up an inch and keep the rolling diameter the same with a lower profile tyre. Obviously this is more difficult if your stock tyres are already low profile. But obviously if you're fitting a larger wheel, then go for the lowest profile tyre you can to minimize the effect on the speedo etc.

[Dave20046]

so really it's a case of not knowing til they're fitted then?

See it'd be nice to be able to have something like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370203191932

Or should I just keep it conservative and go for something like these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170335221083

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=320375963999
Or something like them - which saying getting four budget tyres fitted would cost me around £200-£250 isn't that pricey.

http://edinburgh.gumtree.com/posting_images/23/35260223__1235490299__1__1-6667120c78edcf90fa4967e7d8c2a366.__big__.jpg

infact the above link is my exact car with the last set fitted.

[davepreston]

17's and 18's rub on the m4 golf so arch work is required only inner plastic on 17 but 16's with lowering spings dont
as for stress nothing of concern but your speedo will be out by a few mph

[Dave20046]

17's and 18's rub on the m4 golf so arch work is required only inner plastic on 17 but 16's with lowering spings dont
as for stress nothing of concern but your speedo will be out by a few mph
cheers dave!
just saved me from blindly bidding on those 18s
thanks Will look at the 16's maybe or see exactly what cuting is required

[Daimo]

Golf Mk4 yeah...

Im not sure on the offset, (google search it, it'll come up on one of the VDub forums).

Stress on comps should be fine, many people run 18"s.

The thing to consider is, larger wheels will either sit under the arch so you may get some scrubbage. We had to put 10+15mm spacers on my gf little bros mk4 when putting some 17"s on as it looked weird.

It will be a little slower, handle a little worse, rub with a full car.

But 18"s will fit yes, but as I say, you need to find out what wheel offset and what offset the golf is.

[Daimo]

17's and 18's rub on the m4 golf so arch work is required only inner plastic on 17 but 16's with lowering spings dont
as for stress nothing of concern but your speedo will be out by a few mph

Don't need to do the arches on 17"s

tbh I would go for 17"s for everyday use. 17"s, lower it on -30mm springs, and fit spacers if need be, it'll look spot on and still useable as a car :)

[Holdup]

All you need really is the profile to equal the same on the bigger wheels as what it would on the standards, idk how it works is it width(mm) X Thickness (mm) by wheel size "inch" i quess it if works like that so lets say 180/90/16 standard then after market ones width (doesnt matter as long as it fits in and turns fine) so you go up to 17 inch and take 25mm off so idk 180/65/17?

[Jamiebridges123]

Who the heck would put a 180/65 on a 17" rim.. :shrug:

[fizzwheel]

As Daimo has said, Offset is important IIRC if its wrong they'll rub regardless of what size they are.

Obviously you need the right stud pattern as well. i.e. 4 bolt or 5 bolt...

There used to be a really good Golf forum the GTI Owners club website, have a look at that for more info you might even pick up some wheels from there as well, its ages since I looked but they used to have a classifieds section...

[Dave20046]

Thanks everyone
Golf Mk4 yeah...

Im not sure on the offset, (google search it, it'll come up on one of the VDub forums).

Stress on comps should be fine, many people run 18"s.

The thing to consider is, larger wheels will either sit under the arch so you may get some scrubbage. We had to put 10+15mm spacers on my gf little bros mk4 when putting some 17"s on as it looked weird.

It will be a little slower, handle a little worse, rub with a full car.

But 18"s will fit yes, but as I say, you need to find out what wheel offset and what offset the golf is.
Cheers daimo, guess I'm looking for 16s or 17s then, I use the car daily and do a fair few miles. so needs to be useable I just wnat any cost effective improvement on the old mashed up trims!

Don't need to do the arches on 17"s

tbh I would go for 17"s for everyday use. 17"s, lower it on -30mm springs, and fit spacers if need be, it'll look spot on and still useable as a car :)
hmm how much farting around does it take to lower it? And what's the expence?

[fizzwheel]

hmm how much farting around does it take to lower it? And what's the expence?

You need fit replacement springs. They arent that expensive and its quite easy to do if you know what you are doing.

My brother did mine on my Nova in a couple of hours.

Make sure you get the suspension geometry especially the camber checked once you've done it. Otherwise you might end up with uneven tyre wear.

30mm is a good drop it'll stiffen the handling up but it doesnt totally ruin the ride.

[Dave20046]

You need fit replacement springs. They arent that expensive and its quite easy to do if you know what you are doing.

My brother did mine on my Nova in a couple of hours.

Make sure you get the suspension geometry especially the camber checked once you've done it. Otherwise you might end up with uneven tyre wear.

30mm is a good drop it'll stiffen the handling up but it doesnt totally ruin the ride.
Cool cheers, with a bit of luck I have a mates car garage with tools, beer, lift and pit available to me. So I'll try source some 17's, suitable spacers, and some springs then get going. I'll get him to do my trackign and check suspension after...

[muffles]

I'd be surprised if 18s didn't fit straight on to a MK4 Golf? They are pretty big tyres as standard, I thought. Dave, do you have the current tyre size handy? The only info I can find in a quick Google is someone saying they were recommended 205/55/16s, which is bigger than my old E30 that had 205/50/16 and the correct 17s size is 215/40/17.

I think many people get problems because they don't set the offset correctly, it's quite important as it determines how far in/out the wheels are on the car - clearly you want the wheels to sit in the same position to give the most space around them.

So make sure you get spacers if the wheels you get aren't already the correct offset. But me, personally, I wouldn't be looking at anything that needed more than a 20mm spacer, I'm sure everyone will have their own opinions on this but I think it starts to get unsafe and put too much stress on the bolts you'll need to use (bigger spacer = longer bolts).

What width are the alloys you are looking at? Again I would have thought you could definitely fit some 18 x 7.5s in there, but I wouldn't be ruling out 18 x 8s without further investigation yet either...

Anyway that aside you did ask what the difference would be - more expensive tyres, it can improve the sensitivity of the handling because there is less tyre to flex as you turn the wheel (this probably won't be noticeable but it's definitely agreed that tyre flexes more than metal lol). Lot more chance of bending the wheels in a pothole the lower profile you go. Oh, and kerbing them too. The ride will be a bit stiffer again cos of less tyre to flex.

[jimmy__riddle]

width(mm) X Thickness (mm) by wheel size "inch"

Not quite right, it's width (mm), aspect ratio (%) then wheel diameter (inches).

The 'thickness' of the tyre is labelled as a percentage of the width.

Avoid spacers, wheels with the correct fitment/offset will not need spacers. Spacers are a quick way to wear out wheel bearings, sometimes depending on ally offset they can be ok, but proper fitting wheels dont need them.

heres the spec for a mk4 golf
PCD : 5x100Offset : 30 to 45Bore : 57.1Fittings : B 14x1.5
from alloywheels.com

[arenalife]

Expect reduced acceleration, more noise, harder ride and more fuel consumption, if they're important to you.

[Dave20046]

Expect reduced acceleration, more noise, harder ride and more fuel consumption, if they're important to you.
In regards to what and by how much?
Suspension or wheels. And by how much would I have to alter each before this is an issue.

[muffles]

In regards to what and by how much?
Suspension or wheels. And by how much would I have to alter each before this is an issue.

In my experience you're not likely to notice anything other than a harder ride, I don't think it will be loads harder - changing the springs will affect that more.

[Dave20046]

Not quite right, it's width (mm), aspect ratio (%) then wheel diameter (inches).

The 'thickness' of the tyre is labelled as a percentage of the width.

Avoid spacers, wheels with the correct fitment/offset will not need spacers. Spacers are a quick way to wear out wheel bearings, sometimes depending on ally offset they can be ok, but proper fitting wheels dont need them.

heres the spec for a mk4 golf
PCD : 5x100Offset : 30 to 45Bore : 57.1Fittings : B 14x1.5
from alloywheels.com
Is the offset the 'stud diameter'?

Lookin at a few now
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260418391062
They look good and are 16's just wondering if I'd need to lower to suit

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250429906956
they look ok and look like a guaranteed fit. Hopefully look better on a black car too.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300317410750
think they'll look good but I'd need to refurb them

hmmm :scratch:

[Jamiebridges123]

Yeah those 17" in the Red one would probably look pretty good on your black one.. :D

[muffles]

Is the offset the 'stud diameter'?

Lookin at a few now
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260418391062
They look good and are 16's just wondering if I'd need to lower to suit

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250429906956
they look ok and look like a guaranteed fit. Hopefully look better on a black car too.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300317410750
think they'll look good but I'd need to refurb them

hmmm :scratch:

Offset is the distance from the hub face (the bit that goes flat up against the wheel face on the inside) to the centre line of the wheel (the centre line of the wheel being the line you'd cut if you wanted to chop the wheel in half to make 2 thinner wheels).

[jimmy__riddle]

Is the offset the 'stud diameter'?



no, tried to explain in words but it never made sense so i will paste a link in

http://www.driverstechnologyassociation.co.uk/wheel-offset.htm

clearly shows why spacers should not be needed with the correct rims

edit; muffles is better with words than me! lol

[fizzwheel]

They look good and are 16's just wondering if I'd need to lower to suit

You dont "need" to lower it, the car will function perfectly adequately on its standard springs ( which is what it was designed to run )

But it will "look" better if you lower it as it'll reduce the gap between the tyre and the wheel arch, you'll also gain in terms of handling as the lowering springs will also in most likelyhood be stiffer which will reduce the amount of bodyroll and crispen the handling, the trade off you get is that the ride is harder.

You might also notice the car tracks poorly across bad or steeply cambered road surfaces due to the wider tyres as well. I used to notice it in my golf which had a 40mm drop but was still on the standard 15" rims...

I'd be also inclined to go with standard silver coloured alloys anything else can look chav, black, polished or white can look good but only on the right car.

The others are right, if you get the right offset you shouldnt need spacers. I'd try to avoid going down that route if I were you.

[Dave20046]

Offset is the distance from the hub face (the bit that goes flat up against the wheel face on the inside) to the centre line of the wheel (the centre line of the wheel being the line you'd cut if you wanted to chop the wheel in half to make 2 thinner wheels).
ahh that's what I thought it's just on the listings the stud diameter value kept coming up as 100 and confused me.

Cheers everyone

[ophic]

...anything else can look chav...
so you can lower a car and fit big rims without it looking chav? :eek:

[fizzwheel]

so you can lower a car and fit big rims without it looking chav? :eek:

I think you can, but its all about getting it into proportion and not going nuts with it.

Theres plenty of examples in how not to do it here

www.barryboys.co.uk

[Dave20046]

ahh woops just re-read jimmy's post look spot on

[FlyinCustard]

have you looked at wheelworx in mansfield? give these guys a call they know all there is to know about alloys and sussy. When I had my Astra these guys sorted me out some rims and tyres for a very fair price and you can pick them up without paying a fortune for postage off ebay.

They were really helpfull guys when i was sorting my Astra out.

http://www.wheelworx.net/

They do all the Vdub replicas too

[Dave20046]

Cheers custard
http://www.wheelworx.net/acatalog/Volkswagen_Golf_MK4_alloy_wheels.html
the rs8 alloys look good but £450 with tyres is an ok price (althouh don't come with caps) but probably a bit more then I should be spending. grr tempting


I think you can, but its all about getting it into proportion and not going nuts with it.

Theres plenty of examples in how not to do it here

www.barryboys.co.uk (http://www.barryboys.co.uk/)
Indeed I don't think any of the wheels I've been looking at on an otherwise completely standard car will look chavvy. Just want something subtle that looks better than it does now. I've not given it lexus lights or hacked off the header pipes or anything.

[punyXpress]

Doin' owt with brakes, Dave?
Most standard brakes look Puny inside big wheels - prob not what you are wanting.

[Dave20046]

Doin' owt with brakes, Dave?
Most standard brakes look Puny inside big wheels - prob not what you are wanting.
good point, although I think I've decided to go for some tasteful 16s which hopefully this won't be a problem with.

current tyres are something/175 r14 ...so 14"?

[FlyinCustard]

lexus lights

Chavtastic:D

I had those on my 1st car as well as a bad boy carbon backbox that sounded like at earthquake anywhere above 2000rpm. O and a carbon fibre bonnet and 15inch rims.:cool:

Yes it was only a 1.2 clio and yes I did suffer from young chav driver disease:D after a strong course of anti-biotics i pulled thru and now I consider myself "normal" again.

Your golf will look fine, especially if you stick to those rims that look like VW ones.

I went from 16's to 17's on my last car (Astra G) and it threw the speedo out by about 5-10%, which devalued the car as when I came to sell it as it seamed to have high mileage because i was racking up miles faster than i should be.:toss:

[Dave20046]

hehe chavtastic, save the noise for bikes IMO.
aye , I thought about the mileage thing - well ****!

[fizzwheel]

good point, although I think I've decided to go for some tasteful 16s which hopefully this won't be a problem with.

current tyres are something/175 r14 ...so 14"?

I reckon so...

What model Golf is it ? If its a basic ish model one with Drum brakes on the back dont go to big on the alloys it will look ****e...

[FlyinCustard]

good point, although I think I've decided to go for some tasteful 16s which hopefully this won't be a problem with.

current tyres are something/175 r14 ...so 14"?

16inch rims are not over common so last time I wanted some 16inch tyres they was dearer than those bigger, as the bigger sizes are more common and more budjet tyre makers provide tyres in thos sizes.

that's wot i was told neway, I probs was jus spun a yarn:p

[Dave20046]

it's a basic 'sport' so probably drum brakes on the back. Infact now you say that I do always notice when someone's got drums on the back and I've just realised it'll be because of their alloys. Never occured to me.
Pretty cheap really I always thought really modern cars would come with disk alround as standard but not many do do they. Guess there's just no need.

[Daimo]

Cheers custard
http://www.wheelworx.net/acatalog/Volkswagen_Golf_MK4_alloy_wheels.html
the rs8 alloys look good but £450 with tyres is an ok price (althouh don't come with caps) but probably a bit more then I should be spending. grr tempting



Indeed I don't think any of the wheels I've been looking at on an otherwise completely standard car will look chavvy. Just want something subtle that looks better than it does now. I've not given it lexus lights or hacked off the header pipes or anything.


RS8 alloys in 17" are what I mentioned earlier on the GF lil bros golf.

As said, they look absolutly fine, dont rub or really effect the car too much. But you WILL need to lower it, it'll look like a skybus otherwise.

And as said, you may need some small spacers to push the wheels out a bit more to look better.

17"s

This is one of my other friends old Golfs on similar wheels, again lowered -30mm and some spacers to push the wheels out.

http://images105.fotki.com/v514/photos/4/48802/1850109/golf2-1-vi.jpg

[jimmy__riddle]

I went from 16's to 17's on my last car (Astra G) and it threw the speedo out by about 5-10%, which devalued the car as when I came to sell it as it seamed to have high mileage because i was racking up miles faster than i should be.:toss:

its the other way around, bigger wheels = less revolutions/mile = less recorded mileage than whats actualy been done.

[Daimo]

Flyin Custord, a 1" wheel size increase will not macke that much of a difference at all......

Not to mention that a larger wheel will have a lower profile tyre so the total circum of the wheel isn't that much different.

Certainly not enough to devalue a car. I've heard some crap about modifiying cars in my time, but thats gotta but up there as one of the lamest :lol:

Dammmm all those guys who remove 14" wheels and put on 19"s.... Whats those mileometres people :lol: :lol: PMSLOL

[Daimo]

PS, what do I know about modified cars...

Nothing :(

http://public.fotki.com/DaimoB/my_car_and_donnas_car

:lol:

[deejay77]

Dave, if you are getting lowered springs for the VW these guys are good to deal with http://www.gsfcarparts.com/index.html and they have a place just up from Sheffield Arena, I bought a set for my last VW not long ago and they cost £70 for a set of 4 springs

[FlyinCustard]

Flyin Custord, a 1" wheel size increase will not macke that much of a difference at all......

Not to mention that a larger wheel will have a lower profile tyre so the total circum of the wheel isn't that much different.

Certainly not enough to devalue a car. I've heard some crap about modifiying cars in my time, but thats gotta but up there as one of the lamest :lol:

Dammmm all those guys who remove 14" wheels and put on 19"s.... Whats those mileometres people :lol: :lol: PMSLOL

It jus sempt to rack up the mileage really fast, and it always sempt to read faster than it felt. I aint no mechanic I was jus sayin what I thought/felt:(

[Dave20046]

Daimo - that pictured one's pretty nice


its the other way around, bigger wheels = less revolutions/mile = less recorded mileage than whats actualy been done.
For some reason I would have assumed it'd be on the gearbox on modern cars
Dave, if you are getting lowered springs for the VW these guys are good to deal with http://www.gsfcarparts.com/index.html and they have a place just up from Sheffield Arena, I bought a set for my last VW not long ago and they cost £70 for a set of 4 springs
Cheers deejay I'll check them out :thumright:
16inch rims are not over common so last time I wanted some 16inch tyres they was dearer than those bigger, as the bigger sizes are more common and more budjet tyre makers provide tyres in thos sizes.

that's wot i was told neway, I probs was jus spun a yarn:p
Flippin hope not - I'm guessing not though as I'm sure the wheels I'm looking to buy are a common extra for GTI's.
I reckon so...

What model Golf is it ? If its a basic ish model one with Drum brakes on the back dont go to big on the alloys it will look ****e...
Just double checked, it has disk rear - which was a pleasant surprise.

[Paul the 6th]

Chav

[Sally]

Why put alloys on the cage?

Buy a pointy instead ;):smt040

[Paul the 6th]

Burberry boy

[punyXpress]

Don't waste time & money on your cage.
Spend both on GM II & sort saoralba out at the same time.
Don't tell him I sent you

[Sally]

Don't waste time & money on your cage.
Spend both on GM II & sort saoralba out at the same time.
Don't tell him I sent you

Was that anything to do with a reference to curvy < pointy by any chance? ;) :rolleyes:

[jimmy__riddle]

For some reason I would have assumed it'd be on the gearbox on modern cars

it is, the wheels are connected to the gearbox;)

wheels rotating slower-gearbox turns slower-lower indicated MPH

[Dave20046]

Why put alloys on the cage?

Buy a pointy instead ;):smt040
Why put alloys on a bike?
Chav
How very dare you

[Daimo]

Get pimpin, get it done.

Plenty of time for bikes as well :)

[Paul the 6th]

Don't forget the neons & a massive sub :D

[Dave20046]

Don't forget the neons & a massive sub :D
I've got em already..... just can't figure a way to fit them under the pillion seat :scratch:
I'll get there...

[punyXpress]

Was that anything to do with a reference to curvy < pointy by any chance? ;) :rolleyes:

I cannot tell a lie - Yes!

[Holdup]

Who the heck would put a 180/65 on a 17" rim.. :shrug:

Its an example... although i thought it would work like so
25mm = 1 inch
50mm = 2 inch
So a 180/50/16 in essence is 18" overal size
You then upgrade rim size to 17" and take 25mm off the tyre width thus 25mm tyre width which would be 180/25/17 and still leaves you with 18" overal size

Just my 2ps worth but idk

[Paul the 6th]

Just watch it when you rim the kerb (nothing out of the ordinary for stumpy dave :razz:)

[Dave20046]

i know ill have to kurb my rimming


there's a shop in sheffield called 'rubbers and rims' ...always gets a smile

[Graciepants]

Don't forget the neons & a massive sub :D

i would like to point you in the direction of this....
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo300/graciepants_2008/Rearview.jpg

which was my first car...yes i was a chav :D

and so im not derailing..i like the "montys" best :smt026

[Wideboy]

i would like to point you in the direction of this....
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo300/graciepants_2008/Rearview.jpg

which was my first car...yes i was a chav :D

and so im not derailing..i like the "montys" best :smt026

am i right in saying that's a diesel?............. you "hardcore modded" a diesel?!

tssk i duno, chavs these days just aren't "wid it" anymore :smt011

[yorkie_chris]

i would like to point you in the direction of this....
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo300/graciepants_2008/Rearview.jpg

which was my first car...yes i was a chav :D

and so im not derailing..i like the "montys" best :smt026

barryboys.co.uk :-P