Can 16 inch wheels perform OK?

[rowdyzombie]

Hi, I have a 18 Golf SE and put on 18 BBS CO’s with Conti 235-40-18 on that I had from my 10 GTI that I sold after 9 years. The wheels are 25 lbs plus 22 for tires is 47 lbs setup. I love the look and handling but roads here suck.

I’m considering selling my 18’s and putting on either 17’s or oe size 16 for more comfortable ride and lighter setup. 16’s I’m looking at are OZ ultras 16x7 at 14.8 lbs and getting either 225x50 or 215/55 16’s. This setup is 35-36 lbs. My car is stock but may go stg1 Ecu in future. I want a comfortable ride but good performance, no track days.

Are 16’s just too small so go with 17’s. 17 setup would be either OZ’s, Enkie, or Koning with 235/45/17 and closer to 40 lbs.

 

[seanmcd1]

Are they round?

 

[blaqsheep]

17" wheel with 235/45 will look and perform great in my opinion.

 

[rowdyzombie]

Yah

Yes, 235/45/17 would be good but would add about 5 lbs (but 7 lbs lighter than 18’s. Unsure about the 16’s. I had Enkie rpf1’s with 225/45/17 on my 10 GTI and also OZ Omnias.

My only experience with 16’s were 205/55/16 on 00 GTI vr6 and they sucked. I took off the 205/55/16 on my new car within a month. 215 or 225 might be ok.

 

[Oscar LaVista]

Comparing the same tire in different sizes, the taller sidewall that gives you a good ride will somewhat reduce steering response. It can't be avoided. A sucky tire will suck in either size, and a good tire will perform well in the taller size and a bit better in a shorter sidewall. Get good tires, enjoy the reduced weight and cost savings vs a lower profile.

I took the stock 18's ff my GTI and put on 17" Michelins on Neuspeeds.

 

[rowdyzombie]

Tires

Yes I prefer Continentals dws for their softer sidewalks/lighter compared to Mich pilot sports. Lose 6-7 lbs with 17’s (235) or 10-12 (215 or 225) with 16’s is what I’m trying to figure out.

 

[Hoon]

Performance pkg? If so 17s are minimum, and even then some don't fit over the brakes.

 

[jimlloyd40]

The 17 " Motegi MR131 will fit the PP brakes. 17 lbs.

 

[rye0pa]

Doesn't the 18 have the PP standard.? My 17 SE it came with the PP standard. No way 16" wheels will fit over the front brakes.

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[Drader]

I have 225/50/16 Indy 500 and they feel great for around town hoonage. A good summer tire has a stiff sidewall, so you are fine. On my MK3 GTI I went from 17" TE37 down to 15" ultralight rims I got on a crazy sale, and put on Falken Azenas - this absolutely transformed the car and the grip and precision was so much higher than everything I was used to. Ended up selling my beautiful forged Japanese wheels because I couldn't go back.

 

[seanmcd1]

Doesn't the 18 have the PP standard.? My 17 SE it came with the PP standard. No way 16" wheels will fit over the front brakes.

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I believe the OP drives a 1.8 TSI Golf.

 

[rowdyzombie]

Golf

Yah I have a 1.8T Golf SE now with 11.3 inch brakes came with 16x 6.5 wheels. The car could be called cute with the stock wheels so they had to go. Had the BBS CO’s collecting dust in garage.

Through the years I’ve driven faster VW’s - 90 Corrado, 00 GTI vr6, 02 GTI 337, 04 R32, 10 GTI. I guess after driving VW for 31 years I finally got a tame VW.��

Good to hear someone had good experience with 225 50 16.

 

[jimlloyd40]

Yah I have a 1.8T Golf SE now with 11.3 inch brakes came with 16x 6.5 wheels. The car could be called cute with the stock wheels so they had to go. Had the BBS CO’s collecting dust in garage.

Through the years I’ve driven faster VW’s - 90 Corrado, 00 GTI vr6, 02 GTI 337, 04 R32, 10 GTI. I guess after driving VW for 31 years I finally got a tame VW.��

Good to hear someone had good experience with 225 50 16.

Your original post said 18 Golf SE. Most of us assumed a GTI. Usually people put TSI so it's clear.

 

[Audi Junkie]

I had BFG Comp-2s on my Golf 1.8T 5M APR, and were quite happy. Mk7 is not a big car, so 16 or 17 works perfect. It depends on your roads. I believe 215/55-16 is the best 16" size.

We just got a Golf SW, and 17" will do us fine (235/45-17) It is slightly heavier....

oops, that is the stock size 225/45-17 on 7.5" 225 is MAX on 7" wide, for the record.

235/45-17 in the middle, 205/60-16 on the right and 225/55-17 on the left for my Avant

 

[Audi Junkie]

17" wheel with 235/45 will look and perform great in my opinion.

As long as you have a 7.5" wide wheel.

This is what we went for, but not used yet.

I believe 225/50-17 is a decent option for stock suspension if limited to 7" wide. 3.9% taller.

I like to see the highest possible load rating, 235/45 is looking good at 97. Stock 205/55-17 can be 94XL, 91 or even 89S. Wear and ride are improved with more load rating.