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Volkswagen GTI Tire & Wheel Problems

23 messages,  Last post on Nov 22, 2009 at 2:48 PM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen GTI, Tires, Wheels, Hatchback

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#14 of 23 17" or 18" wheels on a 2008 VW GLI by warhub Mar 24, 2008 (6:08 pm)
I'm purchasing a 2008 VW GLI. The car comes with 17" all-season 225/45R17 inch tires. There is an option to put 225/40R18 wheels and tires on the car for about $11 more per month on a 36-month lease. I'm not concerned about the $11 a month, but rather the possibility of significantly more tires bubbling, blowing up or wheels getting destroyed. I live in NY and travel mostly in the 'burbs, making the occasional (once a month) trip into NYC. There are still some potholes around to be sure, but nothing like the Bronx! If I went with the 18" it's solely because I like how they look. I'm sure the ride of the 18's is only negligibly "sportier," and I've been told that the snow traction should be about the same as the 17's given that the tires are the same manufacturer and are identical in tread type. Would I be a fool to buy the 18's? Am I destined to go through a significantly greater number of tires and possibly scuffed wheels or is the difference only going to be marginal. Again, I really like how the 18" wheels look, but I'm not going to do it if it's truly stupid in the wallet. Replies to this message: rayd8 (Mar 09, 2009 6:48 pm)
#15 of 23 Best snow tires by waddy Oct 17, 2008 (4:30 pm)
I have an '02 gti w/17" all seasons. Moved to Maine. What are best snow tires...brands...studs needed?...   Thanks, Waddy
#16 of 23 Re: 17" or 18" wheels on a 2008 VW GLI [warhub] by rayd8 Mar 09, 2009 (6:48 pm)
Replying to: warhub (Mar 24, 2008 6:08 pm) I'm in the same situation. Looking at an 09 GTI, i think the Huffs look great, but i'm considering settling for the Denvers if it means less headaches. Those Huffs are sweet though.. Is there really much difference in 17" vs 18"?
#17 of 23 09 GTI Wheels by drbarb Mar 10, 2009 (10:29 am)
Bought an 09 yesterday with the 18" wheels. The ride was so rough coming into work this morning, I've called the dealership and they are going to swap for 17". This had better make a big difference.
#18 of 23 Fuming!!!! by upstatedoc Apr 06, 2009 (12:36 pm)
So after 8200 miles my '08 GTI has had enough of it's summer tires. Took it in because the tire noise was getting progressively louder and the tech says they have very bad "cupping". Of course not covered under warranty. Anyone have better luck with their non-summer tires? Replies to this message: pf_flyer (May 25, 2009 7:19 am)
#19 of 23 Heartbroken by erinbgirl May 24, 2009 (4:35 pm)
No luck my tires at all! So I am now about to purchase my 5th new tire on my GTI in 7 months. I love this car but how can I drive it and feel safe when I get a flat every month? I have the 18" Dunlop SP Sport 01's. The sidewalls bubble and split. Is it the tires? Or my car? I do live in MI which means I'm dodging potholes every second. I'm desperate for guidence!! Replies to this message: shipo (May 24, 2009 5:15 pm) pf_flyer (May 25, 2009 7:15 am)
#20 of 23 Re: Heartbroken [erinbgirl] by shipo May 24, 2009 (5:15 pm)
Replying to: erinbgirl (May 24, 2009 4:35 pm) If/when I buy a new GTI (I'm hoping to hold out for a MKVI), I'll be selling the factory 18" wheels and tires on Craig's List almost as soon as I take delivery and replace them with a 17" set. Why? Better handling, better ride, and a MUCH greater ability to absorb a hit from a pot-hole.   Best regards, Shipo
#21 of 23 Re: Heartbroken [erinbgirl] by pf_flyer HOST May 25, 2009 (7:15 am)
Replying to: erinbgirl (May 24, 2009 4:35 pm) 18" wheels means low-profile tires, and if you're in any kind of rough road area, you're going to pay dearly for "looks" as low-pros just aren't meant to handle potholes.   I can't think of many places where I'd want to run low-pros, no matter how nice I think they look, just because of that.   A few years ago my brother was shopping for a new car, and the dealer showed him a car that someone had ordered but decided not to take. It had large wheels and low-pros and the dealer offered to not charge my brother the cost of the option in order to move the car. The car looked great with the wheels and tires, so he decided to take the deal. He lives in north NJ. Within two weeks he had gone thru two tires and was going to have to replace a wheel along with the second tire because of rough road conditions. He changed out the wheels and tires to something a little more normal in aspect ratio and decidedly "less cool". But the roads stopped eating his tires.   His "free option" only cost him almost $2000
#22 of 23 Re: Fuming!!!! [upstatedoc] by pf_flyer HOST May 25, 2009 (7:19 am)
Replying to: upstatedoc (Apr 06, 2009 12:36 pm) 8200 miles is at least 2200 miles past where I would have rotated the tires. No alignment is "perfect" and you do need to rotate the tires to "spread out the wear" and extend the life of the tires.   On most of my vehicles I've rotated every 6000 miles, although on one current one that tended to develop cupping on the original tires, I rotate at 5000 miles.
#23 of 23 Loud noise from 2007 GTI Fahrenheit tires by dokmok Nov 22, 2009 (2:48 pm)
Purchased at 2007 GTI Fahrenheit in late August. 18 tires have become increasingly noisey even under the most basic driving conditions. Also the ride is very rough. Any suggestions to remedy? Should I purchase 17 inch wheels and tires?   Thanks for your ideas.

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