16" wheels and tyre sizes

[fivetones]

If I were to use 7x16 (or maybe 8x16 on the rear - I'm keen on a mild euro look) am I right in thinking that 205/45s would be the right size tyre?

Does anyone have any experience of this? And has anyone got any pictures of a car suitably equipped.

Anyone ever tried 205/40R16s? or is that the worst or all worlds (small and bouncy).

Or should I forget all this and go with 17s?

Edit: I've just found this post http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7112 but I'd like to hear more.

[Schnelletrecker]

Hi,

I did choose the 205/45R16 tyre size because it provides a still acceptable rim horn protection combined with nice ride comfort.

To keep the perimeter correct with a 7x16 or 7.5x16 wheel, following tyre sizes can be used for A2s:

195/45R16
205/45R16
215/40R16
225/40R16 (nice for 7.5 or 8x16)

If you intend to lower the A2, you may have to consider trimming the plastic inner wheel arches for tyre clearance – no big job.

In my case, a lowering of minus 50 mm (per coilovers) and the actual wheel/tyre/ET-setup did not require modifications of the wheel arches. However if I had used 215/40 and/or a smaller offset, I had to arrange for proper tyre clearance because I never use additional bumpstops killing suspension travel.

For many A2 drivers 17“ wheels do look better: Now on a 7x17 or 7.5x17 rim you can take tyre sizes of

195/40R17 (almost no rim protection)
205/40R17 (standard size of the 7x17ET38 S-line wheels)
215/40R17 (many S-line owners switch to this size for reduced rim buckling risk, better rim protection and better comfort)
225/35R17 (nice for 7,5 or 8x17)

A very competitive tyre (in terms of performance, rim protection and price) is the Toyo Proxes T1-R.

Below attached pics show my wheel setup (7x16ET30 front and ET25 rear) at minus 50 mm front and minus 40 mm rear.

Regards

P.S. What kind/make of lowering do you want to use?

[Schnelletrecker]

more pics...

[fivetones]

Thanks for that reply. Most useful.

I plan to fit the car with FK coilovers (well, that's my first choice, this may change, and I have toyed with the idea of Koni FSD/Weitec but would probably go with 205/40 on 17s for that).

I've had cars with coilovers before and like the ability to fine tune the ride height for max lowering without bottoming out on speed bumps all the time.

I think what I'll do is to get the car and then lower it. Then borrow the wheels from my father's Corrado VR6. He runs 205/45 16 on polished BBS RCs. This should give me a clue on the way I want to go.

It has to be said I love the subtle look you have with your car above.

[Schnelletrecker]

Well, coilovers made by FK for the A2 indeed are long-term trouble-free as long as you install the KONI sport (rebound adjustable) shocks powered types.

That means either the

zinc galvanised “Koenigsport“ or the
stainless “Silverline-X“ series.

But especially if combined with the heavier engines like all 1.4 TDIs and the 1.6 FSI, I highly recommend a more potent compression damping force than stock at the front axle.

After having done that (IMHO essential) KONI “sport” modification, even the most unpleasant sleeping policemen or potholes will be handled without any fear of bottoming - even at minus 60 mm lowering. Besides the disappearance of diving tendencies, the effect of strong compression damping at the front is similar to the action of a sturdy sport edition anti roll bar – almost no body roll to find!

When talking Koni FSD upgraded suspension, be it lowered or not, there’s no reason to avoid 17“ or even 18“ wheels. These FSDs do compensate comfort deficits of low profile tyres (section of 40 or 35) pretty well and do supply enough comfort reserves on most bad road surface conditions.

You may ask one the FSD/Weitec folks close to your location for a test drive…

Regards

[fivetones]

More great info.

This does beg the question will the non-Koni FK coilovers be worth using? And I guess if not the FSDs fixed with the Weitec springs, whilst not being quite as low as I'd like to go, might be better for comfort and general drivability.

I've generally run my cars too low with coilovers as the look is good but I'm determined to make this car a lot more subtle (and usable) than the cars I've meddled with before.

btw. Interesting you should mention uprated ARBs as my last car was fitted with Eibach ARBs. It was the best handling car I'd ever driven.

[Schnelletrecker]

So will the non-Koni FK coilovers be worth using?

Well, the dampers used here are prone to leaking after some duration. Moreover you can’t get a customised compression valve for them. Also no individual rebound force adjustability is provided to match A2 specifics, such like:

- relatively high COG
- weight distribution (distinct nose-heavy layout)
- consequentially high sensitivity of understeer
- crosswind sensitivity
- low overall weight

The most effective way to promote handling and to reduce that annoying understeering of our A2s is a sophisticated rebound and compression damping setup. That also helps to increase safety meaning better traction and shortened braking distance. Last not least the damping force setup and characteristics directly influence ride quality (comfort).

Second step would be the wheel choice: Light wheels (less unsprung weight) for comfort reasons, light wheels for better acceleration...

Unfortunately an A2 specific sport ARB is not available.

Regards

P.S. I would also not recommend the KW Variant 1 coilovers for the A2 due to analogical deficiencies.

[fivetones]

Thanks for clearing that up. Very useful.