My brother wants to get some tires to have fun at autox and just on the weekends. I was thinking some 15s might actualy make it a bit quicker instead of using 16s. Also thinnking the new azenis might be good.

Oh Well anyone care to comment? Would definetly appreciate the input.

 

What model is it?

If it's a 337 18's and some 17's only because of 12.3" brakes.

If it's the 1.8T or VR6 it has 11.2" brakes and you might not be able to clear 15" wheels because the calipers are quite large.. A buddy of mine had an MKIV GTI VR6 that he auto-x regularly and ran 16x7.5 w/ 225/50/16 front and 16x7 w/ 205/55/16 rears. He couldn't clear 15's even with 5mm spacers.

 

The gearing from the 15" tires would help since the 02's can run into the mid 60's in second, but none of the wheels I could find that fit properly allow a wider than 205 tire with the offsets available in the 15's. If you are looking for a performance tire rather than an "R" tire, you will need to go to 16" to get wider than a 205. The newer VW's are rather heavy, so you really want a wider tire. What class is he looking to run in, that can make a big difference on what tire and wheel package can, or should, be run.

 

Wouldn't you get more/better information by asking this question on a VW board?

 

If he's planning to autocross, I'd suggest another set of stock wheels, for class reasons.

That is, unless the car is actually modified, in which case, whatever fits over the brakes.

Most 15" wheels should clear the 11.2" calipers. That brake setup came out in mid-1996 for VR6 cars. 1.8t and VR6 GTIs and Jettas had 15" wheels as standard until 2001 or so.

Also, some 16s will fit the 12.3" setup. The OE spare on cars with those brakes is a normal VW 16" steelie with a 205/55-16 on it, IIRC. My old roommate had a GTI 337.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AKADriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Most 15" wheels should clear the 11.2" calipers. That brake setup came out in mid-1996 for VR6 cars. 1.8t and VR6 GTIs and Jettas had 15" wheels as standard until 2001 or so.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Did they change the calipers on the MKIV though? I know the 11.3" brakes have been out since 96.5, but I was thinking maybe the 01.5 or 02.5 whichever it was got larger calipers. I'm just wandering because those 16's looked awfully close, but I guess you could probably find "some" 15's to fit.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, some 16s will fit the 12.3" setup. The OE spare on cars with those brakes is a normal VW 16" steelie with a 205/55-16 on it, IIRC. My old roommate had a GTI 337.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmmm now this I'd have to see. My friend with the previous car, has this car now. He has the stock 18" BBS on there for daily and for auto-x he has 17x7 Rota Sub-Zero's with 225/45/17 Azenis. We also had to use 5mm spacers and some "creative machining" to get those to clear. Now I know the Sub-Zero's don't have the most optimal clearance because we got a set of factory 17" Beetle Turbo S wheels to fit without an issue, BARELY, but I can't see 16" wheel fitting without a creative imagination.