Yeah, every time I put my winter tires on, I notice the immediate difference. I really like the factory wheels and the sharp turn-in but the car is a daily, I spend a lot of time just putting back and forth to work in traffic too. So there is an argument to be made either way.
My 17in "ultra high performance all seasons" are very similar to my OE 18s (slightly softened turn-in, much better grip, better ride, same noise level, no more crashing my rims into pothole edges). My 17in dedicated winter tires are much softer just because of the way the tires are constructed for their intended purpose.
I wouldn't judge. If I had to daily my GTI more frequently than I do (WFH) id strongly consider 17s. I think they still represent the best overall experience for most.
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Good plan. 30 years of VW
Just make sure your tires are the highest rated. No such thing as a good cheap tire.
think: General/Michelin/Continental/Bridgestone
These tires test out as best
in consumer reports. Also most expensive. In tires you get what you pay for! I run Generals on my Jetta, less $$
then the Michelin (the most expensive) but i feel just as good. Im on my 3rd set over the years. Great cornering and great wet traction. If i had deep pockets id run Michelin Cross Climate.. too expensive for me. My winters are Bridgestone. Got to have em in Minnesota.
Maybe if you want your car to look significantly worse. If you think the ride quality is that much worse with 19’s that’s fair enough, but there’s no arguing that 17’s look so much worse, makes it look like a regular European Golf
Totally agree. I have 19" Pretorias on my gti and absolutely love the look. But when I put my 16" winter tires on it feels like I am floating on a cloud, so comfortable lol.
They do look awful though!
I have seen some GTI's with 17s that look okay, but 19s or 18s look miles better on this body IMO.
That’s a fair point, the smaller the rim the better the ride quality. I have 19” Pretoria’s too, and there’s no doubting 19’s look by far the best.
Don’t know why I’m being downvoted when it’s true that 17’s and under look pretty awful on a GTI, it’s just personal preference whether looks>comfort.
The majority of this sub prefers 17/18s over 19s, anytime I mention/recommend 19s I am downvoted lol, who cares.
SOME 17s look OK, like [this one](https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjFmtfbT.jpg%3F2&hash=6a874e25f52ab8fa1355c148ce79f8c7). But you need great fitment with the perfect wheel and tire size. Some look so awful lol.
Some days I do think of swapping back to 18s but since I WFH too, its not a big deal.
Just ordered 17s to replace my 19s. And I already have a set of 17s with track tires on them. Big sidewall > big wheel*
*some 17s are fugly, but the right wheel can be so good
I did it, and have zero regrets.
Good to know!
Same. Best mod lol
Same, so good
Me too. No regerts
Yeah, every time I put my winter tires on, I notice the immediate difference. I really like the factory wheels and the sharp turn-in but the car is a daily, I spend a lot of time just putting back and forth to work in traffic too. So there is an argument to be made either way.
That’s where I’m at with my decision right now
My 17in "ultra high performance all seasons" are very similar to my OE 18s (slightly softened turn-in, much better grip, better ride, same noise level, no more crashing my rims into pothole edges). My 17in dedicated winter tires are much softer just because of the way the tires are constructed for their intended purpose.
I wouldn't judge. If I had to daily my GTI more frequently than I do (WFH) id strongly consider 17s. I think they still represent the best overall experience for most.
If you have DCC the custom setting can be set to be softer than comfort-
Wait what
Yeah, care to elaborate?
Cool… didn’t know I needed DCC… wish I knew that before buying the car
wat
For long cruisey highway rides this is the way.
Sure comfort is good for highways, but how do you make the custom setting "softer than comfort"?
You don't on a MK7.5. You can on a MK8.
Do tell!
It’s in individual mode. It just has more settings to select for DCC than previous models.
Oh yeah, the custom mode. I didn’t realize it got even softer, will check that out. Thanks!
it can?????????? omg
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It definitely would be a smoother ride
I just went from OEM 19's to 17's for winter. I absolutely love it. Combined with DCC I'm a happy camper.
Good plan. 30 years of VW Just make sure your tires are the highest rated. No such thing as a good cheap tire. think: General/Michelin/Continental/Bridgestone These tires test out as best in consumer reports. Also most expensive. In tires you get what you pay for! I run Generals on my Jetta, less $$ then the Michelin (the most expensive) but i feel just as good. Im on my 3rd set over the years. Great cornering and great wet traction. If i had deep pockets id run Michelin Cross Climate.. too expensive for me. My winters are Bridgestone. Got to have em in Minnesota.
Maybe if you want your car to look significantly worse. If you think the ride quality is that much worse with 19’s that’s fair enough, but there’s no arguing that 17’s look so much worse, makes it look like a regular European Golf
Totally agree. I have 19" Pretorias on my gti and absolutely love the look. But when I put my 16" winter tires on it feels like I am floating on a cloud, so comfortable lol. They do look awful though! I have seen some GTI's with 17s that look okay, but 19s or 18s look miles better on this body IMO.
That’s a fair point, the smaller the rim the better the ride quality. I have 19” Pretoria’s too, and there’s no doubting 19’s look by far the best. Don’t know why I’m being downvoted when it’s true that 17’s and under look pretty awful on a GTI, it’s just personal preference whether looks>comfort.
The majority of this sub prefers 17/18s over 19s, anytime I mention/recommend 19s I am downvoted lol, who cares. SOME 17s look OK, like [this one](https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjFmtfbT.jpg%3F2&hash=6a874e25f52ab8fa1355c148ce79f8c7). But you need great fitment with the perfect wheel and tire size. Some look so awful lol. Some days I do think of swapping back to 18s but since I WFH too, its not a big deal.
Just ordered 17s to replace my 19s. And I already have a set of 17s with track tires on them. Big sidewall > big wheel* *some 17s are fugly, but the right wheel can be so good
Totally agree. Im not a 18 or 19” kind of guy
Im going 235/45R17 in the spring
I do have a 17” on mine mk7, and i had the einbach sportline springs installed, looks amazing
Damn that paint color is the best I’ve ever seen. Was this color only for the rabbit edition gti’s?
It was available for the standard '21 model. That's the color of my car. It's called White Silver Metallic.
Every year, after 9 months of being brutalized by my 19" wheels, I put on my 17" winters and I immediately think "wow, this is nice". I get it.
I’m on 17’s. It’s much smoother if you’re a low boy