Bbs 16inch

Hi people

What do you guys think of putting 16inch wheels on the mk1 do they look too big or could i get away with them  the wheels are bbs e50s

Thanks for the input

I think 16 inch is the way to go.  15 inch rims with 195/50 tyres (popular size) keep the gearing correct but with all the modern low profile tyres  available I think these tyres look a bit balloon like now,  195/45 tyres look better but lower the gearing.  So 16 inch rims with 195/45 tyres keep the correct gearing but look better in my opinion.  As a bonus allow more room for bigger brake clearance. And to put my money where my mouth is this is the size I have bought for my golf.

Depends how low you wanna run. 

I disliked mine on 16's

Yes it's mainly to run tarox 6 pots with 280mm there made for 15's but I'm sure the bbs rm's that are on now won't fit I was thinking more of 205/45/16 I won't be running it low maybe 40mm using kw2's   

Just a point about tyres and wheel size for those who may not know. The different in diameter between xxx/50/yy and xxx/45/yy is 10mm. As the number relates to side wall depth in mm and the side wall is only 5mm difference (radius). Therefore the  16 wheels will be about half an inch bigger than the 15. However should not make a big difference overall.


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∆∆∆∆  that's not entirely true as the ___/50/__ number would be different on a 195 to 205 as it is a percentage of the width of the tire 👍👍

vdoubleu said

â^†â^†â^†â^†  that's not entirely true as the ___/50/__ number would be different on a 195 to 205 as it is a percentage of the width of the tire

Cool. First time I have heard that. Now I’m curious of how it works off the google I go. Give me something useful to look for


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Yes the 45, 50 what ever is a percentage of the width.

Thx vdoubleu now I can work this out more accurately.
195/45 = 87.75 mm
195/50 = 97.5
205/45 = 92.25
205/50 = 102.5

So assuming the same width of tyre at 195 then the 5% change in sidewall depth is about 21mm or 3/4 of an inch on the diameter.  By my reckoning


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Used to be called the plus one plus 2 option.  so 175/70 x 13, option one,  then 185/60 x 14, option 2,  then 195/50 x 15 and later 195/45 x 16 all have a similar circumference (not sure how similar).  Its the circumference that's important when working out the gearing.

Ok sounds good guys 16inch wheels  are going on

I have 16 inch rims with 195x40 tyres, you need 40 to get the same rolling radius


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If you google a website called 'will they fit', you put in your existing set up, then the new one and it gives you all the offset changes and overall diameter difference etc.

So the rolling radius effects the Speedo right ?
Even though I'm using mk2 clocks already it shouldn't make much difference going from 15s to 16s
To lahsadreams aren't 40mm  profile a bit of a hard ride?

Mine on 195/40's above was shocking. 

nas said

So the rolling radius effects the Speedo right ?
Even though I'm using mk2 clocks already it shouldn't make much difference going from 15s to 16s
To lahsadreams aren't 40mm  profile a bit of a hard ride?

My ride is really good - I am running on air though. Before that I had StillStatic coil overs and the ride was really good on them as well.
It is poly bushed and has Eibach anti roll bars as well.


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I also have kw anti roll bars and polybushed using kw2s suspension but I'm going to stick to 45 profile just for a little comfort
Thanks to everyone for there input

😁😁😁 love it

What are the wheels called on the red golf?  Are they a standard steel wheel offered at the time or are they something else?  Are they rare?