same old topic...

[DoctorBob]

Dear VWCC massive
I know the following subject is oft discussed on the forum - however I am really in a quandary about the wheels/suspension choice for the new van on order:
based on some feedback after searching:
- the Official 30% lowering springs are fine/bit firmer/terrible all at the same time
- the choice of wheel size - 18” are the biggest you should go whereas 19” and 20”s are both the devils work whilst also being fine...

I realise it’s personal choice - but I wonder if anyone could provide a similar experience as an example - e.g. in my experience/opinion it drives like a golf gti/defender/milk float or “x” etc

It’s all about aesthetics I know: aesthetically, I think a tad lower and 20” wheels would look great and not compromise the capabilities of the van to much (ride height/daily use etc) and although I’ve only ever driven standard Cali’s I’ve hired, the ride with a 30% spring/20inch wheel combo will be firm but not diabolical is my thinking... am i about right? Is anyone In the Oxfordshire area with this set up up for shotgun Passenger test ride?

 

[Borris]

You'll get mixed opinion on this so will end up being none the wiser. You'll just have to make up your own mind and try it.

My take, for what it's worth, would be to leave it factory spec.

 

[kurienp]

Dear VWCC massive
I know the following subject is oft discussed on the forum - however I am really in a quandary about the wheels/suspension choice for the new van on order:
based on some feedback after searching:
- the Official 30% lowering springs are fine/bit firmer/terrible all at the same time
- the choice of wheel size - 18” are the biggest you should go whereas 19” and 20”s are both the devils work whilst also being fine...

I realise it’s personal choice - but I wonder if anyone could provide a similar experience as an example - e.g. in my experience/opinion it drives like a golf gti/defender/milk float or “x” etc

It’s all about aesthetics I know: aesthetically, I think a tad lower and 20” wheels would look great and not compromise the capabilities of the van to much (ride height/daily use etc) and although I’ve only ever driven standard Cali’s I’ve hired, the ride with a 30% spring/20inch wheel combo will be firm but not diabolical is my thinking... am i about right? Is anyone In the Oxfordshire area with this set up up for shotgun Passenger test ride?

@DoctorBob , sorry cannot help with your specific query, but, if you are interested in trying/testing out VB Air suspension, I am nearabouts you - in Newbury. I don't mind a drive to show you the van.

 

[AndyWT]

Seeing all the posts and long discussions on here about lowering, big wheels with elastic bands for tyres, does anybody actually go anywhere with their Cali? on normal roads and campsites, or is it all posing and looking cool, I'm with Boris here factory spec although I would disagree on shocks.

Disregarding I have a T4 sorry I'm intruding into T6 territory, my van is at std height although its at max weight only mode is B6 shocks, we wonder around the back roads of Europe where the roads are less than ideal, just pulling off to a parking area can result in a crunch from the back when the rear skid grounds (tow bar), the long road humps the French & Italians love can be taken at a reasonable speed it just kisses the bump stops with one rebound stroke. The pounding the van gets from broken surfaces in Italy can drive you demented.

It's a heavy van for Christ sake, I don't have a rear antiroll bar and don't want one, I like to keep all the wheels on the ground, yes it rolls around but very controlled by the B6's, it can be be hustled along surprisingly quickly.

 

[Benh76]

I have a T5 which is the 2nd one to be lowered on coil overs and have larger alloys fitted.

2 reasons I did this.

First was that the normal ride had too much roll and you could really feel the lift effect on crosswinds.

Second reason was purely aesthetics.

In my experience lowering springs are ok on their own but do put the standard shocks under more pressure and greater risk of bottoming out. That’s why I went on my last van from sportline lowering springs to coil overs which have updated shocks.

Only drawback you have with coil overs is that you will get a firmer ride but I prefer that to the softer standard set up. I’ve used both Stance and bluebird coil over kits and both are good. Also adjustable ride heights so you can ensure you have same arch gaps all round.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mr T]

Dear VWCC massive
I know the following subject is oft discussed on the forum - however I am really in a quandary about the wheels/suspension choice for the new van on order:
based on some feedback after searching:
- the Official 30% lowering springs are fine/bit firmer/terrible all at the same time
- the choice of wheel size - 18” are the biggest you should go whereas 19” and 20”s are both the devils work whilst also being fine...

I realise it’s personal choice - but I wonder if anyone could provide a similar experience as an example - e.g. in my experience/opinion it drives like a golf gti/defender/milk float or “x” etc

It’s all about aesthetics I know: aesthetically, I think a tad lower and 20” wheels would look great and not compromise the capabilities of the van to much (ride height/daily use etc) and although I’ve only ever driven standard Cali’s I’ve hired, the ride with a 30% spring/20inch wheel combo will be firm but not diabolical is my thinking... am i about right? Is anyone In the Oxfordshire area with this set up up for shotgun Passenger test ride?

Hi, I've just replaced my VW Sportline springs (30mm drop) with some coilovers, I'm running 18" wheels and couldn't put up with the ride on the 30mm springs. There's a long post I've written in the suspension section, but it's a shame you didn't post this up last week as you could have come for a ride in mine on 18"s with sportline springs, then tried it now with coilovers, about 60mm lower than stock. It's much better now. Still feel the potholes, but all other aspects are vastly improved.

If you want to maintain your warranty for all parts of your new purchase then your options are limited, (sportline springs only, or VW supplied Eibach coilovers) also as the T6.1 is still new there are very few aftermarket options available at the moment.

Obviously the bigger you go with the wheels the thinner the tyre to keep the same rolling radius, so it's going to get worse.
I am in Witney, West Oxfordshire, not sure if that's local for you but you are more than welcome to come and have a chat and take a ride in my current set-up if that's of interest.

 

[B J G]

20" wheels change more than just the ride.

They are wider and need wide tyres with a low 40 profile to get the load capacity needed. 275/40/20 seems to regarded as the norm.

The extra rim & tyre width change the front camber and caster tyre contact during cornering, on full lock turns the tyres are almost running on their edges.
if lowered then the rear will have negative camber which puts most of the load on the tyre inner edge resulting in uneven wear and load distribution on the tread.

More load/strain on the front suspension and steering when parking, especially if steering turned whilst stationary.

Aquaplaning in heavy rain is a potential risk.

Drag is increased, many reports of 2>3 mpg drop.

Tyre life is reduced in both mileage and damage due to road surface quality.

Tyres are more expensive, 20" about £120 a set more than 17". Compared Michelin summer tyres 17" against 20" ones.

As you say aesthetically good with 20" but wheel tyre outer diameter is the same for all wheel rim sizes if gearing kept the same.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Also adjustable ride heights so you can ensure you have same arch gaps all round.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Since the peaks of the arches in the bodywork sheet metal are lower at the rear than at the front, doesn't that mean having same arch gaps all around means you have the back jacked up? If the van is level, the arch gap at the back will be less than the gap at the front.

 

[WelshGas]

Since the peaks of the arches in the bodywork sheet metal are lower at the rear than at the front, doesn't that mean having same arch gaps all around means you have the back jacked up? If the van is level, the arch gap at the back will be less than the gap at the front.

I’m glad someone else has noticed. The number of vans that have been “ evened “ up and which are now driving around nose down, or comments that my van has a “ saggy back end “ so how do I drop the front or raise the back.?

 

[B J G]

Copy of a T5 van owners experience of 20" wheels plus lowered today.

So I’ve learnt a few things today....
1. Having big wheels look good but is a pain if you have a blow out
2. Having coilovers look good but is a bigger pain when you need to jack the van up after a blow out
3. 245/45 zr20 tyres are apparently like rocking horse shite and are a very unusual size
4. Having a blow out and getting stuck on a junction to a quarry entrance isn’t ideal (or so the drivers all kept telling me through some sort of sign language)

 

[Mr T]

Agree, the "even arch gap" is incorrect, having had mine set-up correctly by a specialist he was very specific about the correct rake and my measurements from centre of wheel to arch (front and back) and front sill/rear sill to floor are not the same front to back.

Having coilovers fitted doesn't cause a jacking up issue - unless you have them wound down too much!

 

[DoctorBob]

Hi, I've just replaced my VW Sportline springs (30mm drop) with some coilovers, I'm running 18" wheels and couldn't put up with the ride on the 30mm springs. There's a long post I've written in the suspension section, but it's a shame you didn't post this up last week as you could have come for a ride in mine on 18"s with sportline springs, then tried it now with coilovers, about 60mm lower than stock. It's much better now. Still feel the potholes, but all other aspects are vastly improved.

If you want to maintain your warranty for all parts of your new purchase then your options are limited, (sportline springs only, or VW supplied Eibach coilovers) also as the T6.1 is still new there are very few aftermarket options available at the moment.

Obviously the bigger you go with the wheels the thinner the tyre to keep the same rolling radius, so it's going to get worse.
I am in Witney, West Oxfordshire, not sure if that's local for you but you are more than welcome to come and have a chat and take a ride in my current set-up if that's of interest.

Thanks MrT - appreciate the offer - will give you a shout maybe closer to van delivery - is only just gone in order so I have a while to sweat the details!

 

[DoctorBob]

20" wheels change more than just the ride.

They are wider and need wide tyres with a low 40 profile to get the load capacity needed. 275/40/20 seems to regarded as the norm.

The extra rim & tyre width change the front camber and caster tyre contact during cornering, on full lock turns the tyres are almost running on their edges.
if lowered then the rear will have negative camber which puts most of the load on the tyre inner edge resulting in uneven wear and load distribution on the tread.

More load/strain on the front suspension and steering when parking, especially if steering turned whilst stationary.

Aquaplaning in heavy rain is a potential risk.

Drag is increased, many reports of 2>3 mpg drop.

Tyre life is reduced in both mileage and damage due to road surface quality.

Tyres are more expensive, 20" about £120 a set more than 17". Compared Michelin summer tyres 17" against 20" ones.

As you say aesthetically good with 20" but wheel tyre outer diameter is the same for all wheel rim sizes if gearing kept the same.

Good to know - Thanks.
it’s a interesting situation as VW are offering 19” and a 20” wheels in their transporter accessories brochure

 

[DoctorBob]

Not to many fans of the springs and 20inch wheel combo so far....

 

[Mr T]

Not to many fans of the springs and 20inch wheel combo so far....

Assuming your chosen vehicle is a 4Motion, going lower and bigger wheels seems somewhat at odds to the 4Motion capability? You need to consider a lift kit and big tyres!

 

[B J G]

Agree, the "even arch gap" is incorrect, having had mine set-up correctly by a specialist he was very specific about the correct rake and my measurements from centre of wheel to arch (front and back) and front sill/rear sill to floor are not the same front to back.

Having coilovers fitted doesn't cause a jacking up issue - unless you have them wound down too much!

Are you talking about with a blow out situation or with normal inflated tyres?

 

[DoctorBob]

Assuming your chosen vehicle is a 4Motion, going lower and bigger wheels seems somewhat at odds to the 4Motion capability? You need to consider a lift kit and big tyres!

Like it - no thanks though!! 4wd is there for extra security and traction for minor of road excursions whilst camping.- not planning any land rover style antics

 

[Mr T]

Are you talking about with a blow out situation or with normal inflated tyres?

I was merely commenting that just the fact you have coilovers fitted doesn't necessarily mean you can't get a jack under, blow out or not. I will need to go and specifically check the minimum required height to get the VW supplied jack under, as I don't know that. I do know that VW supply coilovers and 20" wheels.
Their tyre size of choice is 255/50/R20 FYI.

 

[GrannyJen]

I just love these threads that get ever so heated over camber, suspension ratios, tyre width ....

Can I just say,

It's a van luvs.

Something you chuck your gear into, head off into the great outdoors, either disappear for months on end living rough or spend a weekend on a serviced caravan club pitch.

It's a van, not a Porsche, a space rocket, a maclaren .... it's just a van with limited off-road capability and basic 4wd if you feel you need it and an incredibly, amazing, comfortable versatile van at that ..... but still only a van so please do not be rude to people about castor angles, I've had worse with castor oil

 

[Mr T]

Something you chuck your gear into, head off into the great outdoors, either disappear for months on end living rough or spend a weekend on a serviced caravan club pitch.

I think we all wish we could do that right now!

 

[GrannyJen]

I think we all wish we could do that right now!

I did it about 5 days ago. However I don't give a crap about technicalities .... it's a van I love, adore it, and given the chance I parked up in someones car park, spent the night in my Alfie, spent all night telling him what an amazing van he was...... but then I did have a 9am appointment to be screened before having a vaccine tested on me so no one was fussed about me overnighting

 

[soulstyledevon]

Get some 18s on there.
Happy medium.
Bit more wheel and less rubber, so aesthetically pleasing, but not to much that it comprises the ride.

 

[Mr T]

Get some 18s on there.
Happy medium.
Bit more wheel and less rubber, so aesthetically pleasing, but not to much that it comprises the ride.

Not sure @GrannyJen is that interested but fair play for trying

 

[hirsty]

My T6 Beach came with 16" alloys & I changed to VW 30mm lowering springs & 18" Sportlines at the same time.

Whilst it looks dramatically better IMO the ride is worse, though not unbearable - I'm not fluent in describing ride, but I think I'd call it "crashy" on anything below a good surface. Previously much smoother, but also "wallowy" especially in & out of roundabouts.

If I ever swap vans I'll stick with stock suspension & 17" alloys next time.

 

[Borris]

I just love these threads that get ever so heated over camber, suspension ratios, tyre width ....

Can I just say,

It's a van luvs.

Something you chuck your gear into, head off into the great outdoors, either disappear for months on end living rough or spend a weekend on a serviced caravan club pitch.

It's a van, not a Porsche, a space rocket, a maclaren .... it's just a van with limited off-road capability and basic 4wd if you feel you need it and an incredibly, amazing, comfortable versatile van at that ..... but still only a van so please do not be rude to people about castor angles, I've had worse with castor oil

"It's just a van" Noooooooo!!!!!