Awful ride on 17 inch low profiles! Trip to dentist!

45bvtc said:
16-inch rims with 205/50 ... and we've found the right balance for ours.
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I completely agree. Although I run a different style of wheel, they're the same weight/dimensions as the 7-spoke TT wheels and fitted with the same size tyres. As a balance between handling, comfort and aesthetics, I think it's an ideal combination.

Cheers,

Tom
 
45bvtc said:
Out for a Sunday lunch yesterday and 3-up - have to decide A2 or RS3 and the journey from Hednesford to Rugeley to Uttoxeter and on toward Ashbourne; all good turning and twisting driving roads that's going to be a dry-run out and a wet-run back: take the A2.

Our previous 1.6 FSi A2 was on 17-inch rims with 205/40 Yokohama Parada Spec-2 tyres and whatever I did with the tyre pressures the ride was harsh; in winter the 205/45 Toyo Snowprox tyres on 17-inch rims gave a slightly better ride. We sold this car on a few years ago and the new and current owner still complains.

This year we needed a hospital car park friendly car so purchased a 1.4 TDi A2 and put this on 16-inch rims (ex Audi TT 7J ET31) with 205/50 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres: having adjusted the tyre pressures somewhat I've reduced the STD pressures from 32psi fronts and 30psi rears to 30/28 and I have to tell you the ride of our car on this wheel/tyres combo is superb, and the handling on the turning and twisting driving roads we were on yesterday just stunning.

The A2 is a fabulous motor car just needing the right wheel/tyre/tyre pressures combination and we've found the right balance for ours.

View attachment 20620
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I am hoping to have this set up in the next couple of weeks and its nice to have an endorsement !

Ta
Dave
:)
 
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timmus said:
I'm pleased Jeff's 7J wheels are going to a good home. I'm looking forward to seeing them fitted to your car. It'll have the classic SE look from the side, albeit with a twist, plus the chunkier Sport look from the back.

Tom
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Seeing you describe them so nicely Tom I think I'll keep em now LOL
Only kidding Dave!!
 
Try getting a set of 16" TT wheels. And put 205/45 on them Avon ZX. This will give you more rubber, whilst maintaining the correct wheel arch clearance. Also the TT wheels are slight off set, cant recall how much but check back on some of my threads, So the wheel is slightly out more towards the arch, which gives it a bit more grip too and looks good too. I tried 15" but there was to much rubber on show and it didn't look right but it can be done.
 
livermanx said:
So the wheel is slightly out more towards the arch, which gives it a bit more grip too and looks good too.
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The difference in offset against OEM (your threads say 7 mm further out) will be like pushing a door further from the hinge, so effectively the suspension's compression and rebound rates will reduce slightly, as though softer springs and weaker dampers have been fitted, and partly contribute to the ride quality differences you've felt. Though again, if the TT alloys are notably lighter than the 17" Sport alloys (I'd hesitate to call them lightweight), the difference on rebound may be reduced.

A downside of reduced offset on the front wheels is that it decreases the steering's scrub radius (the difference between the arc the steered wheels want to follow and the ones they actually do), which can reduce steering feel slightly and sometimes reduce directional stability on bumpy roads.

However, an A2 being front-engined (with at least 300kg+ over each front wheel) and conservatively set up, it's likely of no consequence. My smart roadster on 10 mm spacers (with 180 kg on each front wheel) was slightly more sensitive, but the Pepperpots on my A2 would certainly look nicer sat closer to the arches... :cool:
 
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