Which Wheels

[soulstyledevon]

Ok Peeps.
Not sure what to do here.

I have the old 18" sportline alloys from my old van. Cant decide to stick with the VW 16" or bolt on the Sportlines which are sitting in my garage.
Wanted this van as practical as possible and thinking with the original wheels, i get to have the spare correct size and useable. Useful when driving on the continent.

However looks wise, i think the sportlines look better.
What do you peeps think...???


18s to give you an idea



16s as standard

 

[SimplyDubs]

Sportlines... Definitely

 

[calikev]

Sportlines get my vote You can use your 16 inch spare with these as the rolling diameter
Will be nearly the same with the larger profile tyres

 

[soulstyledevon]

Sportlines get my vote You can use your 16 inch spare with these as the rolling diameter
Will be nearly the same with the larger profile tyres

Awesome, never thought about that.
But makes sense. This is helping me to swing towards these 18s.

Two tyres need replacing, currently running 235/50/18 101 xl
Do you know what size the california requires (in thinking about load rating here. Im sure its something like 255/45/18 103xl, but cant remember off the top of my head.

 

[calikev]

My sportlines have hankook. 235-50-18. 101y. Hope this helps

 

[soulstyledevon]

Cool ok
I thought the load rating had to be 103 for the California.

I might be wrong though. To be fair, there isnt much in it.
Its not like im going down to a 96 load rating

 

[calikev]

They were fitted by a vw dealer so hoping there ok. I'm sure 101 is enough

 

[soulstyledevon]

Load rating etc is fine i believe, at 101xl
The best match against the original is actually

Original - 215/65/R16 = At 30mph you will be driving 30mph
Alloy - 255/45/R18 = At 30 mph you will be driving 30mph
Alloy - 235/50/R18 = At 30 mph you will be driving 30.3mph

They all well within range. Im thinking VW put the 235/50 on because of the bigger side wall. Wonder how different the ride is between them two sizes, as the first is wider.

 

[Custardtart]

I'd be interested to hear your opinion of a back to back test 16" vs 18" wheels for ride comfort if you do put the 18's on.

 

[jonesey]

Late to this thread but I think the 16s look better! My 2p

 

[soulstyledevon]

I'd be interested to hear your opinion of a back to back test 16" vs 18" wheels for ride comfort if you do put the 18's on.

No problem buddy will let you know once i've swopped them over.
Unfortunetely, two of the rims need new tyres and my wife isnt to happy about me spending money on tyres when we need to sort out a bed topper and new cobb bbq.
Might go back in the garage for another couple of weeks
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.Then again


No worries Jonesy, good to hear everyones opinion

 

[KernowLad]

Late to this thread but I think the 16s look better! My 2p

+1. Simpler, cleaner looking rims. And more honest too.

 

[David Eccles]

if you're a wheels person then Sportlines win hands down for looks!

 

[ExploreCampers]

Sportlines for the summer, 16s for the winter.

 

[shambly]

Load rating etc is fine i believe, at 101xl
The best match against the original is actually

Original - 215/65/R16 = At 30mph you will be driving 30mph
Alloy - 255/45/R18 = At 30 mph you will be driving 30mph
Alloy - 235/50/R18 = At 30 mph you will be driving 30.3mph

They all well within range. Im thinking VW put the 235/50 on because of the bigger side wall. Wonder how different the ride is between them two sizes, as the first is wider.

Alloy - 255/45/R18 = At 30 mph you will be driving 30mph

These are what VW put on my _factory_ fitted 18 inch wheels... (Canberra)

They've just gone back on after a winter with 17 inch steels / M&S tyres.

Simon

 

[soulstyledevon]

Sportlines for the summer, 16s for the winter.

That's a good idea.
I'm more for sticking them on now, knowing the spare is still good to use. My van needs to be practical first, fashionable second.

Seems a shame to keep them in the garage collecting dust.

 

[ExploreCampers]

If you can, get a set of winters on the 16s and you won't need to worry about road conditions, 4motion not needed [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

 

[Californiaman]

Sell 'em and goon holiday with the proceeds!

 

[KernowLad]

if you're a wheels person then Sportlines win hands down for looks!

I'm a wheels person. Smaller wheels with higher profile rubber are stronger, lighter, more comfortable, have more choice of tyres, roll more quietly, let go progressively should you reach the limit.

Big wheels are little more than a design ked marketing stunt. I have the smallest wheels my brakes will allow on both vehicles (17s).

I don't actually think 18s are too big but many seem to think bigger is better.

 

[gatvol]

It may be reaching my 40s, but I too like deeper tyres nowadays. Cheaper wheels and tyres, better over bumps and critically more forgiving when parallel parking and turning left next to raised kerbs. Only yesterday I rubbed my near side rear on such a tight kerb and nil damage one

My old merc 500sl has deeper rubber than my s5, and it is so much easier to live with on a daily basis, but I know that others will prefer the looks of bigger rims

 

[soulstyledevon]

Well my mind is made up.
I'm going to sort out some new rubber for the two wheels and put on the 18s.
I will keep the other alloys and look T putting some decent winter tyres on, as I'm considering going to the alps skiing next Febuary.

I'm not to concerned with 18s as they are a practical alloy size. Anything bigger for me personally becomes impractical.
The guys running 20 or 22 with a 30 profile on the VWT5 forum makes me wince.
I think the 18s are a decent compromise.

:cool