[AT999]

Good points.
I think what I'll do (in nice weather) is gaffer tape cable (or something...) to the inside of the current front wheel /tyre. I can gauge the amount of space and go from there. It will all work out👍

 

[AT999]

I've just called CLP automotive (wheel supplier) to double check the order. He expects the wheels to be shipped in the next week! I asked about tires...and guess what, he has a lowered up gti and has gone through ride experiences etc. He says that the most popular tyre choice for that size of wheel is 205x40. I asked about the 215 option and he'd be concerned about catching if spaced outwards - potentially on the outside (offset and larger diameter). I will go with the recommendation, probably with PS5's😀

 

[Mark.cup]

Good to get some advice from someone with experience of the car I've ordered a few bits off them on my Up GTi project journey.

Sounds like they will be on before you know it 😎 I look forward to your opinion after you have lived with them for a little while!

 

[tsi17]

I like them but they are very expensive especially if you don't want them in silver and they always look smaller than they are due to the design and the spokes not going all the way to the edge of the rim...

But from a weight and brand point of view they are pretty impressive.

The guy doesn't post on here anymore but he said they were the same item as fitted to the normal Up they later released the GTi specific version with a slightly different product code TSi17 will back me up he has had both versions. I think I had one of the earliest sets and the front springs are stiffer to allow for the wheels and the extra dive from the bigger brakes.

Yep, GTi version has higher front spring rate.

 

[tsi17]

Looks are not everything. Thoughts of rubbing, or speedo errors aside, or even what you can safely fit on a given rim, just remember that for a given weight of car, and road conditions there is a sweet-spot for tyres, and it's all a compromise. Go too wide, for example, and you may aquaplane earlier and lose wet braking distance (or wet traction). You may lose fuel ecomony and the extra friction blunts top speed and acceleration slightly. If you change tyre dimensions, tell you insurer, as has been suggested.

This post deserves repeating. Particularly re aquaplaning. Remember even the GTi barely weighs a tonne. Each increase in tyre width, for a given pattern and set of road conditions, reduces the speed at which control will be lost.

 

[AT999]

This post deserves repeating. Particularly re aquaplaning. Remember even the GTi barely weighs a tonne. Each increase in tyre width, for a given pattern and set of road conditions, reduces the speed at which control will be lost.

I can only agree with these posts. There are plenty of people happy with 205 width tyres and I'll be going with that recommendation. I assume 215 would be ok, but it's an assumption. I'm staying away as it seemlikely to rub

 

[Mark.cup]

205 tyres are great on the Up!

Motec list 215 tyres on the TUV approval papers for the Up/Mii/Citigo but in a 35 profile tyre with et36 wheel so very likely they will fit without issue.

Maybe something I will try down the line if I ever man up and buy some wheels 🙀🤣 but would stick with a 40 profile.

When I put the 205's on in September 2018 nobody had done it I asked on the forum..

I only ordered 2 at 1st and tried them on both ends with no issues and straight away ordered the other 2.

 

[AT999]

If there was a narrower wheel option, then personally I would have probably gone for it (thinking of mk2 GTI,s etc) but they start at 7" wide...I guess wider is more popularthese days😄

Thinking about it.....safety wise it should be far superior than what's on there at present - night and day, no question. It will be an OEM fitting wheel, slightly different offset (less than most wheel spacers), with a far superior tyre (regarding its performance in all conditions), with an increased wall height and lighter wheel, meaning an improved ability to absorb road imperfections safely. The speedo will still be within tolerance. I will be letting my insurers know👍

 

[Don]

I drive 10k per year and Ive used 205/40/17 all season tyres for over 4 years and living in Glasgow i find them great in the heavy rain, sleet and snow and dont know if im lucky but ive smashed through thousands of massive pot holes over that time without a puncture

 

[AT999]

Thought this was interesting.....
I'd go for looks every day (mostly) 😀

Are lighter wheels really better?

We always hear that lightweight wheels are better, but do they actually make you go faster on track?

grassrootsmotorsports.com

 

[hjcoles06]

I've been lurking around the multiple tyre threads for some time. The time is nearly here for me to renew the current tyres with something more comfortable, but not spoiling the handling. I'm potentially looking to replace- OEM 195/40/R17 Side wall height 78mm With PS4 195/45/R17 Side wall height 88mm As yet I've not seen this done (hence the new thread). To put this into perspective the side wall height on a golf with 18" wheels 90mm, so this isn't so crazy and shouldn't throw the speedo out too much (+2mph @ 70mph). I had considered slightly wider tyres (205/40/R17) on the fronts, but I'm leaning towards keeping them all the same. The PS4 is widely viewed as a comfortable tyre. People have gone with higher profile tires and not had any rubbing, so this shouldn't be a showstopper. Anyone done this before with this size or tried staggered tyres sizes?

I’ve trialed a few setups and I’m running a stage 2 but here’s the rundown on wet/cold weather: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 205/40R17 (all round) this is optimal for handling grip, even first gear it will not spin up in wet unless surface is smoother. For Summer/hot weather there’s 3 different setups: 1. Standard tyres on rear with a Michelin Pilot Sport 4 up front, this is really more a speed set up as the stock tyres are Bridgestone 195/40R17 having thinner tyres on rear allows greater speeds(this set up is cool come winter cuz the rear end comes to life. 2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rear with Nankang NS2R up front, this is when the car became a legit go kart and I mean it went round corners like it was an f1 car, warning you lose straight line speed as they’re a semi track tyre and they’re very slippery in the wet and cold.3. Michelin Pilot Sport 4/5 all round, again this set up is probably the best all rounder set up with supreme grip and speed. I have trialed all these setups and got the information from a YouTuber can’t remember his name but he trials tyres and I got in contact with him. Hopes this helps.

 

[AT999]

Thank you for this. It's good to see you're trying something different. I expect I'll probably be going with the alround option of PS5 on all 4 corners. I have eibach coilovers fitted and I'm finding the car very well balanced, so for me I think I'll try this first, but I did consider mixing the tyres front to back.
Stage 2 must be fantastic is this little light car.....one day!

 

[hjcoles06]

Thank you for this. It's good to see you're trying something different. I expect I'll probably be going with the alround option of PS5 on all 4 corners. I have eibach coilovers fitted and I'm finding the car very well balanced, so for me I think I'll try this first, but I did consider mixing the tyres front to back.
Stage 2 must be fantastic is this little light car.....one day!

Yeah man can’t go wrong with the Michelins they’re superior especially for typical UK weather. Stage 2 is definitely worth it, however I’m coming across issues with the flexy joint on the exhaust as it can’t handle the pops and bangs.

 

[AT999]

Just need the PS5's now. - The weight in the photo is for 17".
The wheels are lovely, I'll have to see how the bright silver fairs on the dark (tungsten) silver car. They'll get their chance!

 

[Aitch]

It's amazing how light they are, really. Getting on for half the weight of the Oswalds!

 

[Mark.cup]

That is crazy light what offset did you go for et37?

 

[AT999]

Yes, ET37. I think this means the wheel will stand out 7mm further than oem.
I may delay putting them on as the gas board are about to dig up the road and probably my drive and don't fancy parking round the corner on new wheels (paranoid as knce had z set nicked.. 25 years ago).

 

[Mark.cup]

Looking forward to some photos when they go on 😊

 

[AT999]

Just laid all the wheels out. One is a different shade to the others. Same batch🙄

 

[Mark.cup]

Contact the seller considering the cost of them you would expect perfection!