225/40 R18 to 235/40 R18 on Golf R - bad idea?

225/40 R18 to 235/40 R18 on Golf R - bad idea?

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Discussion

DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Friday 24th February 2017
quotequote all
Hi All.

As above really - I'm changing the (brick hard and generally not very great) OEM Bridgestones probably for MPS4 to try and improve the ride on my Golf R which I am finding a bit firm. It occurs to me that going up to a 235 would put a bit more rubber between me and the road so might not be a bad idea? Not a huge difference see here but maybe enough to help the ride a bit and also fill the arches slightly better. Any downsides or anything else to consider?

Oh and ps ... any 'MTFU Grandad' type replies... please don't bother - it's a free world and I want more comfort! smile

chasingracecars

1,696 posts

96 months

Friday 24th February 2017
quotequote all
Wrong way, Thats just a wider tyres that you shouldn't use!!!

You need a deeper tyres for more comfort, however you may need to check clearance on your rims.

225/40/18R you could find out if 225/45/18 will fit.

Its possibly worth looking about the suspension as my A6 runs on 255/35/19 and runs fine. Its not 255 its the 35 that effects the tyres.

DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Friday 24th February 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply but I don't think you are right there - the profile on these is 40% of the width so the 235/40 is wider and has more profile then the 225/40 as I understand it. Have a look at the link I posted if you don't believe me!

cuprabob

14,414 posts

213 months

Friday 24th February 2017
quotequote all
The sidewall on the 235 will be 4mm larger than the 225 so I doubt you will notice any difference.

235/40 tyres are a bit more expensive than 225/40 too as it's not as much of a common size.

DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Saturday 25th February 2017
quotequote all
cuprabob said:
The sidewall on the 235 will be 4mm larger than the 225 so I doubt you will notice any difference.

235/40 tyres are a bit more expensive than 225/40 too as it's not as much of a common size.
Thanks for the reply Bob. Yes I reckon you are right - not a bad idea maybe but probably pointless. 4mm more sidewall is negligible and the Golf R doesn't really lack for traction 95% of the time so the extra width is not really worth it either.

I'm probably going to go for the Michelin PS4 but am slightly tempted by the Goodyear Asymmetric 3 - will report back in due course just in case anybody is interested ... tumbleweed

cuprabob

14,414 posts

213 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
quotequote all
You could go for the non-reinforced (not XL) version of the tyre which might have a more compliant sidewall. Also the Goodyear tyre has the reputation of a softer sidewall.

DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
quotequote all
cuprabob said:
You could go for the non-reinforced (not XL) version of the tyre which might have a more compliant sidewall. Also the Goodyear tyre has the reputation of a softer sidewall.
Good shout - am pricing up some Goodyear As 3 on the non XL. Cheers Bob.

DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
quotequote all
DibblyDobbler said:
cuprabob said:
You could go for the non-reinforced (not XL) version of the tyre which might have a more compliant sidewall. Also the Goodyear tyre has the reputation of a softer sidewall.
Good shout - am pricing up some Goodyear As 3 on the non XL. Cheers Bob.
Hmm - ok so they don't seem to come in a non-XL in the 225/40... probably still go with them anyway.

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Possibly silly/non-relevant - would a 17" GTI wheel clear the brakes? You can have a nice, cheap 45 then and retain the same rolling radius.

DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
Hi Alex. Not a bad shout at all and quite a few folk use 17s as a winter wheel so I reckon it would work ok.

I believe a 225/45 R18 would also fit - albeit with a small impact on the speedo reading.

However on balance I will first try a decent 225/40 R18 and see how I go - according to others this should make quite a big difference and no faffing with extra sets of wheels.

Cheers smile

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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I don't think you're going to get a significant improvement fiddling about with sections and profiles while keeping the diameter near enough to standard not to upset the speedo too much. I think you probably need to drop the rim size an inch to have any real effect, though a different brand with softer sidewalls will help matters, albeit at the expense of a bit of squidge in the steering.

timberman

1,280 posts

214 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
I went from a 245 tyre to a 255 on a 17" wheel before and it barely made any difference.

I'd say your options are either going with some 17" wheels as suggested or to start changing the suspension components which could prove expensive and may mess up the handling altogether.

Tbh I'm suprised you find the ride hard, most of the reviews I've read seem to suggest its quite compliant,
if you want to experience a really hard ride try a Fiesta st out, it makes my wifes Tiguan r line feel like a magic carpet.

do you have DCC on yours


DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
otolith said:
I don't think you're going to get a significant improvement fiddling about with sections and profiles while keeping the diameter near enough to standard not to upset the speedo too much. I think you probably need to drop the rim size an inch to have any real effect, though a different brand with softer sidewalls will help matters, albeit at the expense of a bit of squidge in the steering.
Cheers - you may be right about needing to go for 17s but I don't have anywhere to store the 18s so I'd have to sell them then buy others back when I sell the car and it just seems like too much faff...

DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
timberman said:
I went from a 245 tyre to a 255 on a 17" wheel before and it barely made any difference.

I'd say your options are either going with some 17" wheels as suggested or to start changing the suspension components which could prove expensive and may mess up the handling altogether.

Tbh I'm suprised you find the ride hard, most of the reviews I've read seem to suggest its quite compliant,
if you want to experience a really hard ride try a Fiesta st out, it makes my wifes Tiguan r line feel like a magic carpet.

do you have DCC on yours
Cheers for the input smile

Agree that most people seem to find the ride fine on the R but I'm not completely alone from what I read on other sites. I came from an M135i which really is compliant and it has been a bit of a change for the worse.

Changing wheels and/or suspension components is out - too much of a faff - and I'm not expecting a transformation from the new tyres, just need 10-20% and I can hopefully stop being annoyed by it.

Only viable options really are:

225/40 R18 - OEM size, need to hope the new tyres make a noticable difference
235/40 R18 - as above tyres are more expensive and only slight increase in profile
225/45 R18 - probably would make a decent difference but speedo would under read + would prefer to stick to OEM size if possible

- or else bin the Golf, buy an old Jag and use the spare £15k on repairs and fuel smile

ManOpener

12,467 posts

168 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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I'd potentially just try some 225/40 R18s with a softer sidewall, like Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics.

DibblyDobbler

Original Poster:

11,256 posts

196 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
ManOpener said:
I'd potentially just try some 225/40 R18s with a softer sidewall, like Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics.
Thanks - I am awaiting a price on these as we speak (trying to get local guys to match black circles) smile

chasingracecars

1,696 posts

96 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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£87.64 on thetyregroup. For Eagle F1 A3 225/40/18

Edited by chasingracecars on Monday 27th February 14:19

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
chasingracecars said:
£87.64 on thetyregroup. For Eagle F1 A3
I'm pleased to discover that they're a lot more in 245/45/17 and that as a result it would only have worked out a tenner cheaper for four than I've just paid!

Andy OH

1,903 posts

249 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Like a few have already said you will need to drop a rim size to have any noticeable difference. Why buy a Glof R if you want comfort.

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Monday 27th February 2017
quotequote all
Andy OH said:
Like a few have already said you will need to drop a rim size to have any noticeable difference. Why buy a Glof R if you want comfort.
Because some of us are fat and fast :P