17" or 18" wheels?

[Rev]

I'm thinking of buying some larger wheels for my X reg Leon 1.8VT.
But can't decide between 17" or 18" wheels.

Do 18" wheels effect the handling much?
I've been told that they can cause the car to tramline, have a much harsher ride and increase the road noise. Is this true?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Marc]

I would presume that 'tramlining' would depend on the width of the wheel rather than the diameter size.

Bear in mind there are a lot of wheels out there that have the same width no matter what the size is (16", 17" or even 18")

As for road noise I would presume that would depend on the width again, but the harshness of the ride would probably depend on the thickness of rubber on the wheel (generally smaller as the wheel gets bigger to keep the rolling radius the same)

Hope this helps



Marc

 

[PipSqueak111]

I upgraded mine to 17s, and even that altered the way it handled. Turn-in became much crisper, but tram-lining was very noticeable. Didn't really feel a deterioration in ride quality though.

Phill

 

[Binary]

sorry if I'm being thick but what is 'tramlining'?

 

[PipSqueak111]

Originally posted by Binary
sorry if I'm being thick but what is 'tramlining'?

When the wheels have a tendency to follow any ridges or ruts in the road.

 

[ZBOYD]

Having run 18s and 17s on my Leon if its for road and motorway use, then the 18s with 225 tyres are really good, smoother ride and very surefootedness. Tramlining isnt as bad as i expected it to be though on uneven roadsurfaces can feel it pull a bit.

I use my 17s on track days, mainly cause they are cheaper to replace tyres for than the 18s and i find the 17s are keener more precise at speed, but the grip level is not as good, and they certainly feel a harder ride.

But either is far and away better than the standard 16 inch wheels.

Id go for 18s cause you can't beat the look of a huge wheel.

 

[Icecavern]

18's all the way....

check the gallery on my site for pics if you've not seen the ( now famous through europe ) pics of my beast...

Pete

 

[98elite]

I have 19" Audi A8 quattro alloys on mine, take a look them here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/20-AUDI-A8-ST...8048731284QQcategoryZ9888QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Great prices too, I find the ride really good, the car handles well, think 20's would be a bit bumpy though.

 

[Fakinit]

Go for 18's Doesnt really tramline that much, but you do get a slightly harder ride and tyres are more expensive to replace. You also might want to consider dropping it a bit too, as the lower profiles make the car appear higher.

 

[Icecavern]

Whhhoooaaaa thread from the past or what

 

[Fakinit]

Didnt see that.... Probably got the wheels, had new tyres and sold the car by now.

 

[tris]

i got tramlining with 17 on my beemer but no probs with my 18 on the leon

 

[stuart86]

i had 17" on my golf mk4 and definatly regret not going for something bigger

 

[Copra]

yes on the leon go for 18s. dont forget the cupra r has 18s so its not that bad!

anything smaller look a bit lost in the big leon arches. even some designs of 18s can look small.

mark

 

[stuart86]

im asuming then because the LCR has 18" they will also go direct onto a non facelift LC with no problems?

 

[paul26982]

id stick with 18's

 

[Copra]

im asuming then because the LCR has 18" they will also go direct onto a non facelift LC with no problems?

yep, et35ish 18x8 and i no problems at all

mark