Copy VW/Audi alloys, weight and spacers
Discussion
I'm thinking of putting copy VW/AUDI 18" style alloys on a Silver MK4 1.8T? These are the two styles of wheels i'll decide between:
18" R32 style - £315 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-GOLF-R32-ST
18" RS4 style - £325 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
My actual main question is, as they are copy alloys I understand they will be heavier than the OE fit items. Does this really affect the performance of the car? I'm intending to have the ecu remapped anyway, so i'll be getting around 210-215BHP instead of the usual 150BHP.
I was also thinking about spacers, but understand that the universal ones can cause wheel wobble at speed as it's difficult to get them exactly centered. Are there any that are dedicated to the purpose.
Maybe made specifically for the MK4, that you know of and how wide can I go without the tyre's hitting various parts of the wheel arch area and suspension? 10 mm / 20 mm etc?
And I assume it would be best to fit 225x40 R18 tyres as well? Was thinking of some Dunlop Sp Sport 9000's as I have a quoted 'fitted' all in price of £347.80
I'm intending to leave the suspension alone. Just add upper and lower front strut braces as per the link below:
OMP - £90 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
Hope the PH massive can help, DAV KC
18" R32 style - £315 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-GOLF-R32-ST
18" RS4 style - £325 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
My actual main question is, as they are copy alloys I understand they will be heavier than the OE fit items. Does this really affect the performance of the car? I'm intending to have the ecu remapped anyway, so i'll be getting around 210-215BHP instead of the usual 150BHP.
I was also thinking about spacers, but understand that the universal ones can cause wheel wobble at speed as it's difficult to get them exactly centered. Are there any that are dedicated to the purpose.
Maybe made specifically for the MK4, that you know of and how wide can I go without the tyre's hitting various parts of the wheel arch area and suspension? 10 mm / 20 mm etc?
And I assume it would be best to fit 225x40 R18 tyres as well? Was thinking of some Dunlop Sp Sport 9000's as I have a quoted 'fitted' all in price of £347.80
I'm intending to leave the suspension alone. Just add upper and lower front strut braces as per the link below:
OMP - £90 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
Hope the PH massive can help, DAV KC
The main issue with larger wheels will be the unsprung weight, which affects the handling more than the performance.they could also cause tramlining.
Larger wheels also affect the gearing, which will increase acceleration time.
I'm not convinced of the integrity of large, cheap wheels. Might be worth investing a bit more.
As for spacers, many manufacturers will supply spacers complete with a centre spigot ring to locate the wheel. Bear in mind that you will also need longer bolts! Also be aware that spacers can put more stress on some of the suspension components like wheel bearings.
Larger wheels also affect the gearing, which will increase acceleration time.
I'm not convinced of the integrity of large, cheap wheels. Might be worth investing a bit more.
As for spacers, many manufacturers will supply spacers complete with a centre spigot ring to locate the wheel. Bear in mind that you will also need longer bolts! Also be aware that spacers can put more stress on some of the suspension components like wheel bearings.
Not quite the same i know, but i put a set of 18 inch TT replica alloys on my A6 last year, mine came with a multi fit pattern so had no need for spacers. Can't comment on the weight of them compared to OE wheels, but they are bloody heavy. IIRC i paid £800 for them with Toyo Proxes fitted and supposedly balanced, however i got them rebalanced just to be sure. Didn't really spoil the ride, clear the suspension and arches no problem, however my average mpg dropped from 39 to 34 within 4000 miles of putting them on, doesn't sound like a lot but its about 60 miles to a tank. Don't know if OE wheels would have made things any better though
In my experience, everything else being equal you won't notice the difference between OEM and copy wheels when driving.
Being heavier makes the suspension, brakes and engine work harder but it won't be noticeable in the same way that, for example moving from 16" to 18" wheels).
The gearing doesn't have to be affected as long as you keep the same rolling radius (ie. thinner tyres). This is really a must unless you want to raise the centre of gravity for some reason.
If you trust the quality of the wheels and can live with drawbacks of bigger wheels then I say go for it. 18" looks fantastic on a MK4.
Being heavier makes the suspension, brakes and engine work harder but it won't be noticeable in the same way that, for example moving from 16" to 18" wheels).
The gearing doesn't have to be affected as long as you keep the same rolling radius (ie. thinner tyres). This is really a must unless you want to raise the centre of gravity for some reason.
If you trust the quality of the wheels and can live with drawbacks of bigger wheels then I say go for it. 18" looks fantastic on a MK4.
leosayer said:
In my experience, everything else being equal you won't notice the difference between OEM and copy wheels when driving.
Being heavier makes the suspension, brakes and engine work harder but it won't be noticeable in the same way that, for example moving from 16" to 18" wheels).
The gearing doesn't have to be affected as long as you keep the same rolling radius (ie. thinner tyres). This is really a must unless you want to raise the centre of gravity for some reason.
If you trust the quality of the wheels and can live with drawbacks of bigger wheels then I say go for it. 18" looks fantastic on a MK4.
Being heavier makes the suspension, brakes and engine work harder but it won't be noticeable in the same way that, for example moving from 16" to 18" wheels).
The gearing doesn't have to be affected as long as you keep the same rolling radius (ie. thinner tyres). This is really a must unless you want to raise the centre of gravity for some reason.
If you trust the quality of the wheels and can live with drawbacks of bigger wheels then I say go for it. 18" looks fantastic on a MK4.
Now there's the feed back I wanted! Cheers, much appreciated. D4V KC
I've got an 04 A6 Avant and swapped the 16" originals for good quality italian replicas. The car looks much better with the proportions more in balance.
MPG has not suffered, but being a motorway hack, 44 is the norm and looks like it hasn't really changed much if at all.
In terms of ride and handling, I find the 18s actually make the car more stable through wide higher speed corners as there is less flex in the tyre sidewalls (I've gone from 215/55 to 235/35). Over small bumps at town speeds the car is less able to aborbs small bumps as well and jiggles around a bit (but having come from cars with sports suspension I actually don't mind a more 'nuggety-tyoe' ride).
Being a big estate car though, the bigger wheels do put more flex pressure on the body shell and over large undulations at low speeds (ie pulling into an upward sloping driveway) the old girl creaks a lot more than she used to!! But overall it all good.
MPG has not suffered, but being a motorway hack, 44 is the norm and looks like it hasn't really changed much if at all.
In terms of ride and handling, I find the 18s actually make the car more stable through wide higher speed corners as there is less flex in the tyre sidewalls (I've gone from 215/55 to 235/35). Over small bumps at town speeds the car is less able to aborbs small bumps as well and jiggles around a bit (but having come from cars with sports suspension I actually don't mind a more 'nuggety-tyoe' ride).
Being a big estate car though, the bigger wheels do put more flex pressure on the body shell and over large undulations at low speeds (ie pulling into an upward sloping driveway) the old girl creaks a lot more than she used to!! But overall it all good.
ukross said:
I've got an 04 A6 Avant and swapped the 16" originals for good quality italian replicas. The car looks much better with the proportions more in balance.
MPG has not suffered, but being a motorway hack, 44 is the norm and looks like it hasn't really changed much if at all.
In terms of ride and handling, I find the 18s actually make the car more stable through wide higher speed corners as there is less flex in the tyre sidewalls (I've gone from 215/55 to 235/35). Over small bumps at town speeds the car is less able to aborbs small bumps as well and jiggles around a bit (but having come from cars with sports suspension I actually don't mind a more 'nuggety-tyoe' ride).
Being a big estate car though, the bigger wheels do put more flex pressure on the body shell and over large undulations at low speeds (ie pulling into an upward sloping driveway) the old girl creaks a lot more than she used to!! But overall it all good.
MPG has not suffered, but being a motorway hack, 44 is the norm and looks like it hasn't really changed much if at all.
In terms of ride and handling, I find the 18s actually make the car more stable through wide higher speed corners as there is less flex in the tyre sidewalls (I've gone from 215/55 to 235/35). Over small bumps at town speeds the car is less able to aborbs small bumps as well and jiggles around a bit (but having come from cars with sports suspension I actually don't mind a more 'nuggety-tyoe' ride).
Being a big estate car though, the bigger wheels do put more flex pressure on the body shell and over large undulations at low speeds (ie pulling into an upward sloping driveway) the old girl creaks a lot more than she used to!! But overall it all good.
Nice one, thanks for the feed back. D4V KC
There are masses of people fitting cheap wheels to improve the looks and handling of their cars. As long as you take advice from the manufacturers you will be perfectly fine.
However, you must be aware of what others have quite rightly said. Cheap wheels are heavy, lack integrity and are much harder to balance. I have seen people with STACKS of lead clipped to the inner rims of cheap wheels. If it really is performance you are after, save yourself some money (in the long run) and spend more! If you just want to pull away from the Mac D's car park quicker than someone else you probably won't know the difference.
However, you must be aware of what others have quite rightly said. Cheap wheels are heavy, lack integrity and are much harder to balance. I have seen people with STACKS of lead clipped to the inner rims of cheap wheels. If it really is performance you are after, save yourself some money (in the long run) and spend more! If you just want to pull away from the Mac D's car park quicker than someone else you probably won't know the difference.
Edited by I Cooke on Thursday 19th April 12:42
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