Wheel fitment

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Jason20
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Wheel fitment

Post by Jason20 »

I’ve had a search through previous posts in here and can’t seem to find the information I’m after.

I’m currently looking at buying some new wheels, I was wondering if anyone on here could tell me how the MK2 reacts with a square wheel setup, instead of the standard staggered setup.

Thanks


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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by TonyleFrog »

Jason20 wrote: 09/03/19 12:31 I’ve had a search through previous posts in here and can’t seem to find the information I’m after.

I’m currently looking at buying some new wheels, I was wondering if anyone on here could tell me how the MK2 reacts with a square wheel setup, instead of the standard staggered setup.

Thanks
I would expect the ride to be extremely uncomfortable. ;)

You don't mention whether you have a Mk1, Mk2, or Mk3.
I can only comment on the Mk2.
My first one had 17 x 7Js all round with lowered springs.
The rear tyres were staggered though, 20mm wider than the front.

Not having anything to compare it with at the time, it was difficult to pass judgement.
After switching to a staggered set I can say the original configuration was more 'twitchy'.
Particularly if provoked (which of course shouldn't be happening on the road).

You could always restore the differential in the track width by using spacers on the rear.
Personally I'm not a fan of them as its a compromise engineering solution.
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by jimi »

TonyleFrog wrote: 09/03/19 19:34
Jason20 wrote: 09/03/19 12:31 I’ve had a search through previous posts in here and can’t seem to find the information I’m after.

I’m currently looking at buying some new wheels, I was wondering if anyone on here could tell me how the MK2 reacts with a square wheel setup, instead of the standard staggered setup.

Thanks
I would expect the ride to be extremely uncomfortable. ;)

You don't mention whether you have a Mk1, Mk2, or Mk3.
I can only comment on the Mk2.

Should have gone to specsavers Tony :laughing
I’m currently looking at buying some new wheels, I was wondering if anyone on here could tell me how the MK2 reacts with a square wheel setup, instead of the standard staggered setup.
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by TonyleFrog »

:blush:

In my defence, your vision would be blurred too if you had consumed the same amount of Merlot... :mrgreen:
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by jimi »

Lucky sod, your hitting the Merlot and I'm stuck offshore on the tea :laughing
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by peteV6R5 »

I have had 17" x 7J rims and 17" x 7.5j and currently staggered 17" x 8j fr/ 9j rear.
215/40 and 235 /40 on both 1st sets.
215/40 and 245/40 on staggered wheels.
you should always try and keep rears 20mm wider than fronts, used bolt on hubcentric spacers on 1st 2 sets with no issues apart from last time had to cut the spacer off as the bolt rounded.
I also know a couple who have run same width tyres all round with no real adverse issues on the road.

the most sure footed is definitely the staggered setup on wheels and tyres.

my advice is
1) go with staggered wheel / staggered tye set up
2) if no staggered wheels, 215/40/17 fronts and 235/40/17 rears and space the rears out by 15mm
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by shinny »

peteV6R5 wrote: 10/03/19 0:21 my advice is
1) go with staggered wheel / staggered tye set up
2) if no staggered wheels, 215/40/17 fronts and 235/40/17 rears and space the rears out by 15mm
This is spot on :th:


I've run both square and staggered setups. If you put quality 15mm spacers on the rear and stagger the tyres, then the fact the setup is square fades away as a factor compared to the quality of your tyres and the geometry setup. The difference with and without the rear spacers is noticeable.

This is one of my recent setups; 16x7.5J all round with 205/45/16 front and 225/45/16 rear:

Image

You can see a slight difference in the way the sidewalls sit, but the AD08Rs made sure it handled great!

My caution would be to avoid running 235/40/17 on 7Js - it will visibly bulge and I'm not sure how great they're handle. When I was running 17x7J all round, I had 205 front and 215 rear, which also isn't ideal. It's hard to figure out a good tyre setup for 17x7J all-round :zip
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by TonyleFrog »

shinny wrote: 10/03/19 1:50 My caution would be to avoid running 235/40/17 on 7Js - it will visibly bulge and I'm not sure how great they're handle. When I was running 17x7J all round, I had 205 front and 215 rear, which also isn't ideal. It's hard to figure out a good tyre setup for 17x7J all-round :zip
The best combo would be 205/40/17 front and 225/40/17 rear.
https://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/ty ... dvice.html
No problem with the front but try getting those for the rear. I had to settle for 215 & 235.
Yes, the latter weren't ideal (see my earlier post) but I didn't have much choice at the time.
Your alternative of 16" rims and 45 section tyres on 7.5Js makes perfect sense.

One point which hasn't been mentioned so far is offset.

ISTR oddshoes had a set of staggered 16" AVS on offer a while back.
Not sure whether they were snapped up.
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by Jason20 »

Thanks guys!

The wheels I’m looking at are Enkei evo 9 wheels which I think are 17 x 8 +35. So I’d imagine a 215 on the front and a 235 on the rear would be okay with spacers on the rear?
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by shinny »

Jason20 wrote: 10/03/19 12:21 Thanks guys!

The wheels I’m looking at are Enkei evo 9 wheels which I think are 17 x 8 +35. So I’d imagine a 215 on the front and a 235 on the rear would be okay with spacers on the rear?
That'll be just fine :th:

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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by Jason20 »

Perfect, thank you!
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Re: Wheel fitment

Post by TonyleFrog »

shinny wrote: 10/03/19 13:05
Jason20 wrote: 10/03/19 12:21 Thanks guys!

The wheels I’m looking at are Enkei evo 9 wheels which I think are 17 x 8 +35. So I’d imagine a 215 on the front and a 235 on the rear would be okay with spacers on the rear?
That'll be just fine :th:
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JFI, I'm pretty sure stock Mitsi Evo 9 wheels are ET38.
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