TheBlondeFella
Go Kart Newbie
- Location
- UK
- Car(s)
- MK7 Golf R
So, I need so help with improving my ride quality by changing from 19 inch wheels to 18 inch wheels rather than by changing the suspension. I have a bog standard, low mileage 2016 Mk7 R with DCC (standard camber).
To date since buying the car in 2016 I’ve run the flowing wheels all in 19’s;
The help I need is with tyre size as I definitely do not want to rub in any circumstances. I currently only use the car for fast road weekend outings and do one trip the the Nurburgring in Germany a year where tyre rubbing is definitely not a good idea.
In theory, you’ll also get marginally increased acceleration as well due to the smaller overall rolling circumference and lower combined tyre and wheel weight (only with aftermarket wheels as a 19 Pret weighs less than an 18 Cadiz).
I guess that’ll be by they say “19’s for show and 18’s for go”. Who knew!
I’ve worked out the following which I hope everyone will agree with is correct.
Looking at the above chart, if I go from a 235 / 35 / 19 (VW OE) to a 235 / 40 / 18, I would get a 11.75 mm more side wall cushioning compared to what I have now with a tyre diameter that would be between the OE Pretoria and OE Cadiz.
The question is; Is this to best option, or are there better options available with guaranteed no tyre rub?
I seen from another post that @Karthoum is using a 255 / 35 / 18 tyre but I have serious concerns that this will rub as I’ve heard stories of 245 / 40 / 18 tyres rubbing through inner wheel arches.
To date since buying the car in 2016 I’ve run the flowing wheels all in 19’s;
- OE Pretoria: 19 x 8 - et50 - The Prets were fine but I wanted something a little different even after I had the colour changed.
- Neuspeed Rse10: 19 x 8 - et45 - I had a love / hate relationship with the Rse10s and in the end decided they just weren’t for me.
- Motec Ultralight: 19 x 8.5 - et43 - I buckled 3 of the Motec Ultralights in less than 12 months and despite these looking exactly how I wanted after having them refurbed in bright silver, they were obviously either too light or ‘made of cheese’ so they had to go.
- Revo RF019: 19 x 8.5 - et45 - Currently on my car with no issues at all.
The help I need is with tyre size as I definitely do not want to rub in any circumstances. I currently only use the car for fast road weekend outings and do one trip the the Nurburgring in Germany a year where tyre rubbing is definitely not a good idea.
- VW O.E fitment for a 19 inch wheel on a Mk7 R is : 235 / 35 / 19 which has a 82.25mm high side wall and a tyre diameter of 647.1 mm
- VW O.E fitment for an 18 inch wheel on a Mk7 R is : 225 / 40 / 18 which has a 90mm high side wall and a tyre diameter of 637.2 mm
In theory, you’ll also get marginally increased acceleration as well due to the smaller overall rolling circumference and lower combined tyre and wheel weight (only with aftermarket wheels as a 19 Pret weighs less than an 18 Cadiz).
I guess that’ll be by they say “19’s for show and 18’s for go”. Who knew!
I’ve worked out the following which I hope everyone will agree with is correct.
Tyre Size | Sidewall Height | Tyre Diameter |
235 / 35 / 19 (VW OE) | 82.25 mm | 647.1 mm |
225 / 40 / 18 (VW OE) | 90 mm | 637.2 mm |
235 / 40 / 18 | 94 mm | 645.2 mm |
245 / 40 / 18 | 98 mm | 653.2 mm |
255 / 35 / 18 | 89.25 mm | 635.7 mm |
Looking at the above chart, if I go from a 235 / 35 / 19 (VW OE) to a 235 / 40 / 18, I would get a 11.75 mm more side wall cushioning compared to what I have now with a tyre diameter that would be between the OE Pretoria and OE Cadiz.
The question is; Is this to best option, or are there better options available with guaranteed no tyre rub?
I seen from another post that @Karthoum is using a 255 / 35 / 18 tyre but I have serious concerns that this will rub as I’ve heard stories of 245 / 40 / 18 tyres rubbing through inner wheel arches.
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