17" vs 18" alloys

CantThinkOfANam

Hi all,

I'm considering buying a new A3 with the Sline package. It comes with 17" alloys and I was considering upgrading them to 18" alloys but I'm worried about the comfort being greatly reduced.

Will 18" alloys make much difference to the ride?

Thanks in advance.

stealthyspeeder

CantThinkOfANam wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm considering buying a new A3 with the Sline package. It comes with 17" alloys and I was considering upgrading them to 18" alloys but I'm worried about the comfort being greatly reduced.

Will 18" alloys make much difference to the ride?

Thanks in advance.

No but they will get damaged by potholes eaisier, and be more expensive to buy tyres for, and not as good for handling, but they will look better.

mailforkev

They would only make a bit of a difference to the ride I would think.

The S-Line suspension will probably already have ruined it anyway to be honest.

They would look quite nice though.

jayotala

No, but depending on the profile of the tyre, small potholes will feel like they hurt if ya know what I mean.

Berty

I have an S-line A4 with 17". I hate the ride. I would dread the 18" as I mainly use back roads.

Would they look good? Hell yeah as long as they are tasteful replicas.

CantThinkOfANam

Hmm thanks for all the replies. Think I'll have to stick with the 17" alloys. Shame as the 18" ones I was looking at are the RS4 ones with a titanium finish:(

Gumbo

i had 18" on my SE E90 and 18" on my E90 Msport and the ride and handling is better and more comfy on the Msport.

it depends on the tyres, and car tbh, 17" on my older 04 civic is a bone shaker for comparision!

EPM

I've 17's and they are bad for comfort. I'd think twice before doing anything. Maybe try test drive one on 18's

Matt Simis

The size of the wheel is a way distant factor to the profile height of the tyre when considering comfort and hardness. I had 20" on the Phaeton (A8 size car) and it wasnt particularity hard as the height of the tyre sidewall was still effectively taller than say, an A3 (Golf size) on 18" rims.
Suspension also plays a more significant role than pure rim size.

I think the OP and most of the replies are completely missing this point, larger alloys dont make hard rides, the requisite reduction in rubber does. The bigger the car, the larger overall wheel diameter (tyres + rim) and the more freedom you have for wheel sizes.

Saying that, I would personally say -
A3/Golf 17" max
A4/Passat 18" max (my old Audi S4 on stock suspension and 18" wheels was really nice)
A8/7 series/S Class - 19" with 20" possible pending suspension type.

Use this tool (in metric mode ideally) to see the before and after sidewall height when going from 17" to 18" (or whatever):
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Ever mm you loose is felt as hardness and possibly damaged wheels.

colm_mcm

Or just buy a Scirocco?


Better car in any respect I can think of and will surely hold its money better.