R15 or R16 tyres

dada44

hiya - we're looking at a vw golf and were wondering which one would give a smoother more cushioned ride? the r15 right?

thanks

Road_Hog

dada44 wrote: »

hiya - we're looking at a vw golf and were wondering which one would give a smoother more cushioned ride? the r15 right?

thanks

Correct. The bigger the rim (metal part of wheel) the thinner (lower profile) the tyre has to be, to keep the overall wheel dimensions the same. Which means less rubber between you and the road surface.

Limey

There is also currently slightly more choice in tyres for 15 inch wheels as opposed to 16s, this has the added bonus of making them a bit cheaper.

I'm assuming you're looking at new wheels as you can't fit 15 inch tyres on a 16 inch wheel or vice versa.

dada44

if the car comes with 16 inch wheels is it possible to somehow change them to 15?

anotherbaldrick

To be honest there is not a lot of difference in the ride certainly not £ 500 for a new set of wheels and tyres . My prevous Golf had 15" wheels , my present one 16" . What makes the most difference is the actual brand of tyre fitted, some give a lot better ride that others . I found Continental's good, but on a new car you get what VW decide to fit . My current car has Dunlop Fast Response which can be noisy on cold mornings and good when warmed up.
http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?122852-Helpful-advice-to-choosing-the-best-tyres-for-a-Mk6-140PS-2.0-TDI&highlight=golf+Mk6+tyres

Road_Hog

dada44 wrote: »

if the car comes with 16 inch wheels is it possible to somehow change them to 15?

Yes, but the tyres must also be changed. Is this a new car or second hand? If new, just tell the dealer you want 15 and to change them.

If it is second hand, then new rims & tyres and try to flog the old ones for us much as possible. If you're going down this route, I'd run it on the 16 until the tyres needed replacing and then buy the new wheels complete with tyres and flog the old rims.

Limey

dada44 wrote: »

if the car comes with 16 inch wheels is it possible to somehow change them to 15?

Other than buying a second set of 15 inch wheels, not really.

There will be loads of standard Golf 15 inch wheels on ebay for only a few quid, quite likely with decent rubber on them but to be honest I'd probably stick with the 16s if the car comes with them.

As anotherbaldrick said the ride quality is also defined by the tyre wall stiffness and of course the pressure you run them at.

When it comes time for new rubber have a look here http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/ and see what's well reviewed for your car/tyre combo.

andrew-the-cat

dada44 wrote: »

if the car comes with 16 inch wheels is it possible to somehow change them to 15?

Yes, take the 16 inch wheel off, and put a 15 inch wheel on instead.

vikingaero

If you're looking at a Golf and want a smooth ride then most German cars have the typical firm set up. One of the best cars for ride in this class is the Focus.

dada44

thanks - although with the focus the last ew models have been very sharp and firm. it doesnt help that their entry models have sports suspension, ghias can be quite rare to come by

anotherbaldrick

In the latest issue of the "Which" report they have a league table for the best cars for comfort. In the medium car catagory they listed The Volvo C30 top, Honda civic hybrid second and the VW Golf Mk 6 third.