A more comfortable ride? VW Polo

[iamjoshov]

Hello

Recently put 16" alloys and 195/45 tyres on my VW Polo.

I knew that putting these on would result in more feel of the road, which I love. And it has improved MPG also.

However, going over bumps, and just any bad surface, is a bit punishing to me and the car. Amazing on the motorway though.

Is there anything I can do to make the ride a bit smoother?

Would shock absorbers + suspension help this issue?

Car details:

VW Polo 1.2 2006
DA06 LMX

Cheers

[k_pt]

How are your control arm bushings, and which ones do you have? It plays a big part on comfort.

[iamjoshov]

Thanks for your response

Sorry to disappoint, but I have no idea about that, how could I find out?

Thanks

[Oscar011]

iamjoshov said:

Hello

Recently put 16" alloys and 195/45 tyres on my VW Polo.

I knew that putting these on would result in more feel of the road, which I love. And it has improved MPG also.

However, going over bumps, and just any bad surface, is a bit punishing to me and the car. Amazing on the motorway though.

Is there anything I can do to make the ride a bit smoother?

Would shock absorbers + suspension help this issue?

Car details:

VW Polo 1.2 2006
DA06 LMX

Cheers

If the original shocks are still on the car then yes new ones could improve the ride quality. Also new ARB bushes too. But I also have a 2006 polo but the 1.4L. The ride quality is okay but not the best ride quality I’ve driven. Speed bumps and rough roads in mine has also been a bit of an issue, the same with my mates 1.2 vw polo 2004.

[iamjoshov]

Interesting - the comfort was much better before with the 165/70/r14 tyres but the fuel consumption was so bad

[A900ss]

iamjoshov said:

Interesting - the comfort was much better before with the 165/70/r14 tyres but the fuel consumption was so bad

Going up to a 195 size tyre from a 165 would normally increase fuel consumption. Wider tyres have more drag and increased rolling resistance for like for like tyre compounds.

Your rolling radius is almost identical between the two tyres so fuel economy can only be improving due to lower rolling resistance tyres vs the tyres that you had in 165 width.

Again a little weird as I’m also assuming that the 195 tyre are new which also increases rolling resistance rather than decreasing it.