[NAC] wide wheels with rather narrow tires

[Per Lindgren]

BenediktRochow at oaktech.com wrote:

> >> This is the certainly desired bumper fitted to a B4
> >> http://home.germany.net/100-504219/treffen/celle/07.jpg (it looks too
> big
> >> with with rather small looking wheels I might add).
>
> >This is the same as the coupe/cab bumper, with a deeper front spoiler. The
> >"toilet-roll" wheels are THE trend in Germany on VW's, 8x14 or 9x14 wheels
> on
> >Golf 2's are not uncommon.
>
> What I've been wondering for years - what is the reason for wheels
> as shown/described above, with low-profile tires where (as somewhat visible
> in the above photo) the sidewall angles inward drastically, as the tread
> is apparently a lot narrower than the wheel.
> I saw that occasionally in Germany in the late 80s, and now on a lot
> of 'tuned' cars in Europe, and very rarely also in the US.
> Is there a point? Is this setup not a problem, e.g. when going
> around a curve faster than walking speed?
>
> Another illustration, particularly visible at top
> edge of rear tire:
> http://www.motorscene.de/Opelgalerie/Stefan_s_Astra_/UntouchableAstra03.JPG

Well, first I gotta say that I have never driven a car with such small wheels,
so dont know firsthand how it is to drive with such wheels.

But anyways, I believe part of the reason is to get extreme stiff sidewalls on
the tires, as you probably understand, the sidewalls of a 215 wide tire will
not be allowed the same flex on a 9" rim as the do on a 7" rim. This gives a
stiffer ride, but also more nervous steering.

And that Opel Astra didnt look too bad, at least it's got 15" rims. Have a look
at this Golf (aka Rabbit):
http://home.nexgo.de/hh/hh1/BILDER_VWCC/07_Aufbau/ab_g1/hh1_front.jpg Looks
like 8x14 or 9x14 rims.

PerL
92 Cab 2.3 (going for 17")