Rim Size, does it matter?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 11:17
Rim Size, does it matter? - Rudedog
I'm buying a new car soon, on the options list there is a nice set of 17" alloys, the original spec is 16", apart from the 'looks' will I notice any change in the way the car drives?
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 11:35
Rim Size, does it matter? - Garethj
Likely to be in the steering feel and ride comfort if the 17" wheels have lower profile tyres. However a lot depends on how stiff the different tyre carcasses are so a test drive with both could be a good idea.
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 11:42
Rim Size, does it matter? - Altea Ego
Consider not having them. On most cars the ride is usually upset

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Fri 24 Jun 2005 12:36
Rim Size, does it matter? - chris_w
It really does depend, I tried the eventual car I bought with and without 17" (normally 16") and found very little difference in the way the car performed - the car was probably a bit more grippy with the 17"'s but hardly noticeable during normal driving.

I went for the 17"'s as the looked better - I prefered the design and also the 16"'s looked a little too small for the wheel arches.

Can you afford it, is normally the biggest question here!
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 12:45
Rim Size, does it matter? - Rudedog
The 17" Estoril rims are a £445 option on the new Golf I'm looking at, I don't know if that is considered expensive? I like the look of them, but maybe I should stick with the standard 16" Imolas if I wouldn't notice the difference.
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 13:53
Rim Size, does it matter? - chris_w
The 17"s come with sport suspension and this can make the ride too hard in some people opinion. I have sport suspension on my Audi and think it's great.

The 17"s are wider and will be more expensive to replace, and as I understand it, wider tyres can reduce fuel efficiency (not by much tho).

I couldn't find a picture of the wheels - are they the same as on the GTi?
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 14:32
Rim Size, does it matter? - Rudedog
The GTis are 18" Monzas, which I think don't go with the style of the car.
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 14:34
Rim Size, does it matter? - chris_w
According to the VW website the GTi comes with

"Alloy wheels, four 7 1/2J x 17 "Monza" with 225/45 R17 tyres and anti-theft wheel bolts"

as standard...
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 16:18
Rim Size, does it matter? - Rudedog
Sorry my mistake, the 18" Monza II rims are on the options list.
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 17:05
Rim Size, does it matter? - Roly93
Consider not having them. On most cars the ride is usually
upset

I absolutely agree, avoid the 'drug-dealer' 17" alloys as they ruin the ride in most cars. Thats why I went for an Audi A4 SE rather than the Sport model.
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Fri 24 Jun 2005 18:33
Rim Size, does it matter? - chris_w
Why does having 17" alloys make someone a drug dealer? I have 17" wheels and I'm no drug dealer - just think they look better than the 'free' wheels the car came with.
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