Wheel Size

TheProfessional

Hi,

Does anyone know if you can opt for smaller wheel sizes on new cars?

Eg if a VW Tiguan R-line comes with 20" wheel and the Elegance with 19" will they ship them with the smaller wheel even if not advertised as an option?

Or would you have to do this after market and would it count as a modification for insurance?

Thanks for advice 

Ganga

Why would you want smaller wheels ?

facade

Ganga said:

Why would you want smaller wheels ?

They come with taller tyres, which offer some degree of compliance and a smoother ride on the rutted, potholed cart-tracks that Councils seem to think are fit for vehicular traffic.

I'd never buy a car that has wheels like cotton reels with elastic bands stretched over them, the cotton reels shatter at the first pot-hole they hit (so that would be in less than 100 yards from my house....)

EssexExile

TheProfessional said:

Hi,

Does anyone know if you can opt for smaller wheel sizes on new cars?

Eg if a VW Tiguan R-line comes with 20" wheel and the Elegance with 19" will they ship them with the smaller wheel even if not advertised as an option?

Or would you have to do this after market and would it count as a modification for insurance?

Thanks for advice 

Ask the dealer, they may be able to offer something even if the manufacturer won't.

forgotmyname

Buy the cheapest car in the range, they are often the most reliable also.   I would have less tech in them but anything
fairly newish is an electrical nightmare just waiting to cause mayhem and require a jumbo sized wallet puller.

born_again

Unless it's a factory option, then it would be a reportable modification.

You also face the risk that non manufacture wheels will not fit over disks.

Mildly_Miffed

If you don't want the 20" rims, don't buy the spec that comes with them... Base spec Tiguans are on 17" rims, Life and Match on 18".

It's unlikely it'd be a factory option to go down in size, which would mean that - yes - it's a modification for insurance purposes. Even if it was done by the dealer.

Ectophile

Ganga said:

Why would you want smaller wheels ?

Better fuel economy.  Better ride quality.  The wheel rims are less likely to be smashed if you hit a pothole.

Big wheels are a fashion statement that only makes the car worse to drive.

FFHillbilly

if you were to put a smaller OEM VW badged wheel on the new car no insurance company would question it in a claim, unless it was a fault with one of the wheels that caused the claim of course 

TheProfessional

Thanks for the comments all

I currently have 20" and I don't think I'll do that ever again. They aren't totally terrible but with two small kids now I'd prefer the comfort of a smaller wheel like suggested with potholes, speed bumps etc. 

Also less bothered about the look now there's two kids car seats in the back and filled with muddy bikes and sand

Might just look down the range and just see about a less attractive trim but a wheel of choice e.g 19"

I'm not even sure the 1" difference would make that much of a noticeable improvement but theoretically should 

EnPointe

Ectophile said:

Ganga said:

Why would you want smaller wheels ?

Better fuel economy.  Better ride quality.  The wheel rims are less likely to be smashed if you hit a pothole.

Big wheels are a fashion statement that only makes the car worse to drive.

all three of your assertions are  incorrect