How significantly is the performance reduced by larger than stock wheels an tires for 1.8t a4?

 

Weight is the big issue, as you move the rim (the heaviest part of the wheel/tire combo) to the outside of the wheel, it requires more torque to move the wheels. Tires get very expensive... but if you stay the same overall tire diameter, and spend 1000 a wheel or so on LIGHT 18's or 19's... then you could probably see a gain in performance, due to a smaller sidewall (less flex).

 

so for the low low price of $4000.00 i could get an increase in performance that is negligible. and alternativley if i leave it stock (17 in) i get to keep the same performance i have now with no reduction in torque or horse power?

basically then it seems that wheels and tires are for looks?

 

You can buy lightweight 18s for about 300 a wheel.

 

Yeah, I'm a big fan of 17's anyways... they look great, and tires arent expensive. Notice how most of the guys with 18's and 19's are rolling on kumho's, or ventus, or some other cheap crap... so in that case, a 17" wheel with high end tires, will out perform a 19" with crap tires... good tires for a 19" wheel are going to be like 350 a tire and up, 17's you can score sweet tires for under 200 a piece.

So yes, since most of the people with big wheels end up with crap tires... they are doing it for aesthetics, and aesthetics alone. It does look sweet though! And if all your looking for is looks, you dont need to spend 4 grand. I felt the diff on my golf though, the vr6 could spin the 15's forever... but had a hard time spinning the 18's.

 

^^Thats a very good point, tires are the important part, Invest more in tires than wheels. My summer 18x9" wheels are much heavier than my stock 16's however I feel no performance loss. I do obviously get the gain of much better handling. Also my 18" tires are extremly heavy. My wheels are that heavy but the tires way a ton! Also almost all the weight of my wheels is the spokes which may help as well. I'd say overall my summer wheels/tires are 10lbs heavier then my winter ones and I feel no loss in acceleration

 

says Mr. 300+ horsepower

Its true though, with a 3 pc wheel, you get rid of weight where it hurts the most... ideally, the most weight is towards the hub. that's what sucks about heavy tires eh? But yes... as long as you have good tires, you'll notice an improvement in handling as you go up in size.

Also, an often forgotten point: heavy wheels/tires affect braking, sometimes by a lot!

 

Haha headsoak, hes making like 300+ "w"hp.

 

I always talk whp, when I can. I am aware he's over 400 at the crank.

 

I never realized till you said but my braking is definetly affected by these wheels. I can brake much harder without locking up with the summer wheels, but the brakes fade much much faster, than with my other wheels