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

[ophic]

what size are the original wheels?

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..

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]

Originally Posted by ophic

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.d...m=370203191932

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

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=170335221083

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=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...66.__big__.jpg

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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