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Interesting item on AOL [Tires]



In some places you are limited to the width your tire can be, but they (the
people who own these cars) go out and buy these HUGE wheels so it looks like
thier tires are larger than they really are, and you usually get a much
smaller sidewall that way. if you ask me, it's a rather stupid thing to do,
but to each thier own...

Jerry Carter
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason" <jason@scirocco.org>
To: <DieingSwan@aol.com>; <skerocdriver@juno.com>
Cc: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 6:20 AM
Subject: Re: Interesting item on AOL [Tires]


> At 10:05 PM 3/13/2003, DieingSwan@aol.com wrote:
> >. Could someone describe to me the philosophy behind the
> >recent popularity of BIG HUGE rims and LITTLE SKINNY tires? Is there any
> >functional benefit whatsoever?
>
> Absolutely.
>
> By "skinny" I assume you mean tires with small sidewalls, not skinny
widths...
> A larger wheel will require a smaller sidewall to retain the same overall
> diameter that the car was originally sold with.  Retaining that diameter
is
> important because the car's suspension (and indeed entire driveline) was
> designed around that size, and to a lesser extent, your speedometer (and
> odometer) will remain accurate.
>
> A "Plus-size" wheel and tire combination (meaning a larger wheel with
> appropriately reduced sidewall height on the tire) will generally offer a
> higher level of overall grip, better braking, and better traction under
> power.  It will also offer enormous benefits in transitory responses and
> turn-in by reducing sidewall flex.
>
> The drawback is, among other things, are a coarser ride.  And, with
> anything, there is a limit.  Putting 18s on a Scirocco with 205/20-18s (or
> whatever other fictional tire size would fit right) would probably offer
no
> handling benefit over the appropriate sized 16s.
>
> 17s on an A3 chassis is a little much - ask me, I know... I have
205/40-17s
> on my VR6.  My personal opinion that the ideal wheel size for best
handling
> is 15"s on the A1 and A2 chassis cars (195/50-15), and 16"s on the A3
> chassis cars (205/45-16).  But I have to say, my 17s look fantastic on the
> Golf. :)
>
> http://www.parts4vws.com/registry/registry_detail.asp?MemberCarID=3878
>
> Jason
>
> And PS:  That is a Neuspeed intake on the eBay car...
>
>
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