MK7 vs MK6 Stock Stance

This is my first GTI and I don't know too much about the previous generations. After paying attention to a lot of MK6 GTI's on the road now, I was just curious about something. It seems as though there is less wheel gap on the MK6's and the wheels sit a bit more flush than compared to the MK7. Is this an accurate observation or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

Btw I'm making assumptions that the cars I'm looking at seem to be bone stock and based on what the driver looks like (i.e. old lady driving, etc.)

Subbed for input. I've been asking myself the same thing.

I think the MK6s fills out their wheel arches better. MK7 seems to be scaled more to 19" wheels from the start.

With every generation Mk1 to Mk7 the wheel wells have gotten bigger.

My MK3 GTi came with 15" wheels and you could fit 17's (18's max with thin tires). The MK7 you can fit up to a 19" wheel (20" max with thin tires).

MK3 w/ 17's


MK7 w/ 19's

Outer diameter and circumference has been roughly the same from Mk.1 to Mk.3
(where both 175/70 R13 and 195/50 R15 have been available from factory) and
from Mk.4 to Mk.7 (where both 195/65 R15 and 225/40 R18 are available, which
again are virtually the same outer diameter and circumference).

Gogo GTI said:

It seems as though there is less wheel gap on the MK6's and the wheels sit a bit more flush than compared to the MK7.

Click to expand...

Two reasons: Firstly, the Mk.6s are older and have been settled to some degree.
secondly, the Mk.7's body is noticeably wider, but VW retained the same wheel
sizes.
Obviously, you could lower your car by fitting corresponding springs (DGs etc.)
and you could fit wider and lower offset wheels (eg. 8x18 ET45) with wider tires
(eg 235/40 R18 PSS), which is exactly what many forum members actually do.

.