| Wheels,Tires,And Rims A Guide To Not Getting Screwed When You Decided What You Want. |
| The first thing many Vw Rabbit owners want to do with there new cars is add some fancy Mag wheels. And why not? The stock 13 inch 155 70R 13's are Ugly. They don't fill the wheel wells completely, and they break loose almost every time you hit the gas. So what do you get? Well first, lets talk about the tire numbers. 155 70R 13 What does it mean? The 155 stands for the width of the tire. 155 is very thin in the real world, but was used for its economy and cost when new. The Gti's came with a 185, and thats about right for a rabbit, but you can go all the way up to a 205, but it may rub the fender wells when you turn all the way. The second number 70R is the hight of the tire. You will see 17inch wheels with a number like 205 50R 17. This means that the hight between the rim, and the tread is much thinner than a 70R. What does this do? Well, a lower number will mean less roll on a hard turn, BUT, it also means a harsher ride, and less rubber to absorb the impact of a pot hole. This equals More bent rims. The last number 13 is the rim size. A stock rabbit is 13inch, the gti is 14, and I think you can wedge up to a 20inch rim under it. Now Remember that any change to your tire or rim hight will alter your speedo readings, and make them incorrect. You can Increase the rim size, and Decrease the tire hight to keep it close, but it will still change it some. So whats the best? I think the 185 60R 14 combo that comes with a stock gti is the most effective tire wheel setup for a Rabbit, but if looks are a must then you can move up to a 185 55R 16. If you must get a wider tire, you run the risk of premature bearing failure, and suspension wear. And if you goto a 17 or larger rim size, be ready to replace a rim and tire often due to road hazards. Thats about all I've got to say about that! |
Look at the Mags! Look at the Mags! Look at the Mags! |
