MK3 with rims from MK4 (19 18 17)

[ant637]

Hello! I created topic for multiple reasons. I'm thinking about purchasing R17 MK4 OEM used set of rims for MK3,5 2017 cupra, but afraid it could be "too small" for the cupra wheel arch, maybe someone have similar experience? Parameters are 17x7,5 et46

Just in case someone searching about "how will look my mk3 cupra with rims from mk4". I used to have my mk3 2015 with winter set of 18 inch tires and rims from regular leon IV. Because of wider rim and slightly more offset than stock mk3 r18 options it looks nice on old gen. 18x7 et51 for factory mk3, 18x7,5 et44 for factory mk4.
Feel free to post your own "retrofit" with 17 / 18 / 19 inches

 

[H Rafiq]

This is my Cupra 280 with stock 19”, and VW Cadiz 18”.

 

[cuthound]

This is my Cupra 280 with stock 19”, and VW Cadiz 18”. View attachment 43538 View attachment 43539

Does dropping from 19" to 18" wheels significantly improve the ride over road imperfections?

 

[H Rafiq]

Does dropping from 19" to 18" wheels significantly improve the ride over road imperfections?

Not significantly, no. Handling is slightly decreased too. I think 17”s would show significant comfort improvement, but they wouldn’t fit. Even in my Prius on 16”s it’s not comfortable on these horrendous roads!

 

[cuthound]

Not significantly, no. Handling is slightly decreased too. I think 17”s would show significant comfort improvement, but they wouldn’t fit. Even in my Prius on 16”s it’s not comfortable on these horrendous roads!

Thanks, I'll continue to crash over the potholes then!

My other car is a Skoda Yeti on Michelin CrossClimate shod 17's and that copes far better with our crumbling roads.

 

[H Rafiq]

Thanks, I'll continue to crash over the potholes then!

My other car is a Skoda Yeti on Michelin CrossClimate shod 17's and that copes far better with our crumbling roads.

It has a lot to do with the suspension set up too. The Cupras suspension, even in Comfort Mode, is pretty firm, plus it’s lower than a standard Leon.

 

[cuthound]

It has a lot to do with the suspension set up too. The Cupras suspension, even in Comfort Mode, is pretty firm, plus it’s lower than a standard Leon.

Indeed, and make of tyre as well.

The ride on my Yeti improved significantly when I swapped the OEM Pirelli's for Michelin CrossClimates, as did road noise. They are also lasting longer despite starting off with 7mm of tread against 8mm.

 

[SuperV8]

Thanks, I'll continue to crash over the potholes then!

My other car is a Skoda Yeti on Michelin CrossClimate shod 17's and that copes far better with our crumbling roads.

An important factor for better 'pot hole' ability in my humble is bigger diameter tyres - so they roll over holes, rather than crashing into them.
This applies especially in the mounting bike world with 26" vs 29" wheels!
Our Vitara handles pot holes much better than my Leon ( I know there are many more variables than just diameter!) Leon is 635mm (25") and Vitara is 668mm (26.3") 5.2% bigger.
Trouble is you can't really increase the diameter significantly.
The standard 225 35 19 is 0.8% bigger diameter than the 225 45 17 - so maybe the bigger diameter of the 19" tyre is off setting somewhat the increased side wall stiffness?
The 225 50 17 from the Yeti is also fitted to the new Octavia - which used to be fitted with 225 45 17 like the Leon - be interesting if the 225 50 17 size would fit the Leon, or if they changed anything else on the latest Octavia?

 

[cuthound]

An important factor for better 'pot hole' ability in my humble is bigger diameter tyres - so they roll over holes, rather than crashing into them.
This applies especially in the mounting bike world with 26" vs 29" wheels!
Our Vitara handles pot holes much better than my Leon ( I know there are many more variables than just diameter!) Leon is 635mm (25") and Vitara is 668mm (26.3") 5.2% bigger.
Trouble is you can't really increase the diameter significantly.
The standard 225 35 19 is 0.8% bigger diameter than the 225 45 17 - so maybe the bigger diameter of the 19" tyre is off setting somewhat the increased side wall stiffness?
The 225 50 17 from the Yeti is also fitted to the new Octavia - which used to be fitted with 225 45 17 like the Leon - be interesting if the 225 50 17 size would fit the Leon, or if they changed anything else on the latest Octavia?

In my experience the profile of the tyre makes the biggest difference to ride quality, although suspension stiffness also applies. Lower profile tyres have much less tyre wall to absorb imperfections than higher profile tyres.

I agree larger diameter wheels are less likely to fall into potholes, but around me you would need a tracked vehicle to avoid dropping into the bigger ones! If you talk to tyre providers, they will tell you most damaged wheels and tyres are from cars with very low profile tyres.