Fw: [Vwdiesel] Better Handling?

[Gerry Wolfe]

All things equal, a wider tire will make the steering more responsive,
better "turn in", more "darty".  It will also follow grooves in the road and
be quick to aquaplane.  Winter traction is considerably reduced.  With a
wider tire, you need a wider rim.

All things equal, a lower profile and a stiffer sidewall will decrease slip
angle, giving the same response.  When you go up in "quality" e.g. from a H
rating to a V rating you are usually getting a stiffer sidewall as well.
This will also give a much harsher ride.  My Michelin Pilot 205/50HR50
rubber on 15x8 rims are actually uncomfortable; in retrospect, I shouldn't
have gone this far.

All things are not equal.  What will give the most dramatic increase in
overall handling is the quality and the design of the tire itself.  A high
quality / performance version of 170/70x13 tires will "run circles" around a
lower quality / touring version of 185/60x14 tires.

rgds, g.
----- Original Message -----
From: "TexasTDI" <TexasVWdriver at hotmail.com>
To: "Nate Wall" <natewall1 at yahoo.com>
Cc: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2003 2:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Better Handling?


> Handling should increase some.  Since the tires are wider and the
sidewalls
> are shorter.
>
> I can definitely tell a difference between my stock 195/65/15's and my
> 225/50/16's on my Golf.  Handling was good with the 15's, but the 16's
feel
> like I'm riding on rails.
>
> Chris Thornton
> 1991 Volkswagen Jetta 2 Door 1.6 Diesel - 236k miles
> 2000 Volkswagen Golf 1.9TDI (turbo diesel) - 81k miles
> Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants Dealer #1098500
> http://www.amsoil.com
> http://texastdi.com/6/ubb.x
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Nate Wall" <natewall1 at yahoo.com>
> To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
> Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2003 11:26 AM
> Subject: [Vwdiesel] Better Handling?
>
>
> > I've got 175/70 R-13 tires w/ 13 inch alloy rims on
> > the Jetta. How much improvement could I get using
> > 185/60 R14, tires on 14 inch rims? A fellow is selling
> > a set of 4 tires mounted on these rims from an '88 GTI
> > for $105 on e-Bay, and I think I'll pass because I
> > think the shipping would kill me!
> > See:
> >
> >
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38662&item=2414603931
> >
> > --Nate
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