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Topic: wheel tire combo (Read 1017 times) previous topic - next topic

wheel tire combo

Hey Peeps,

im wondering what the biggest tire and wheel size and offset i could put on my stock mk2 3dr gti, i dont want to cut or roll arches, i dont want to touch bodywork at all,

also dont want rubbing, so if what you got rubs on a full house of people, its not for me, im possibly not looking to lower the car ether, but if i did would like to know your thoughts on wheel size at that point, but im thinking id only be upgrading to coil overs if i can almost ride at stock height anyway, as i dont think lowering the car at my age is really for me now
 

Re: wheel tire combo

Reply #1 –
For a genuinely stock-height Mk2, the safe bet most people land on is a 15x7 (ET35–38) or 15x6.5 (ET38) with a 195/50/15 or 185/55/15 tyre that combo clears full lock on stock suspension without touching anything, even with mild wear/flex in the bushings.

If you push to 16x7 ET35 with a 195/45/16, it'll usually still clear stock height on a 3dr, but it gets tighter at full lock/full compression, especially on bumpy roads some guys get away with it clean, others get a light kiss on the inner arch lip under hard compression. Depends a bit on your specific arch (rust repairs, respray thickness etc. all shave a mm or two).

18s are a hard no without lowering and rolling on a Mk2 the arch just isn't tall enough at stock ride height, you'll be into the arch or fender liner every time.

Offset-wise, don't go below ET30 on the front if you're running stock height you'll start fouling the strut/inner arch before the outer.

So realistic ceiling for zero rubbing, zero cutting, stock height: 16x7 ET35 with a 195/45/16, with 15x7 ET35 as the "definitely safe, no drama" option.

On lowering totally fair call at your stage, and for what it's worth a lot of us who've had these cars 20+ years end up back near stock height eventually anyway, it's kinder on the car and you. If you ever do go coilovers just for the adjustability (not to slam it), a 20–25mm drop opens up 16s properly with zero rub margin to spare, and you could even look at 15x8 for a slightly meatier stance without touching the arch.