TOregon

This is why ricers put on their heavy 16in steel wheels to race instead of their light weight 18s.

SNAFU 4

Looks like I will be hitting the shop to run some tests. This one is really bugging my now. Also...check out the site and add the larger wheels...the 0-60 goes down with 18" wheels...<ul><li><a href="http://www.vwfeatures.com/?ic_id=home_gti_launch_2006">Build Your Own...change wheel size</a></li></ul>

TOregon

The larger wheel diameter allows a tire with a shorter sidewall while maintaining the same overall diameter. This lets you put a higher performance tire on the rim. The shorter sidewall is stiffer, which translates into faster turn-in and more predictable, higher limit, handling (the shorter sidewall doesn't roll over on itself).

The down side is that you don't have as much tire to absorb bumps in the road, and they are usually louder.

All thinks considered, I don't think you will miss the few tenths that you lose 0-60 when you ballance it with the improved looks and handling of the car.

banana s4

you could always get forged wheels

Stoney

Same "tire" rolling radius; wheels are much bigger. Wheels are denser than tires.

Stoney

The dependence on wheel radius is buried in his Reffective, so not very helpful, actually.

Stoney

smaller wheels = faster acceleration. Larger wheels = better cornering.

Stoney

The fact that the wheel outer diameter is the same is fine. But the point is the wheel's outer diameter is larger. It weighs more than the tire it displaces. You get a larger overall weight, but more importantly a much larger overall rotational moment of inertia.

This is the kind of analysis in which theory and experiment match very well. No need to go testing it.

Stoney

Stop and go, large wheels can affect MPG. Steady highway, not at all. Only about acceleration.

April

If the road is smooth and/or the suspension can keep them on the pavement and not in the air;-)