Topic: Toolatcrew's Bunny (GTI) Gets new Slippers

[toolatecrew]

Well it was nearly a 2 week wait for shipping then the holiday got in the way and then my local shop thought they would be too busy today (but managed to get me in) but the winter boots are finally off and the new RIms and Tires are on the GTI.











I am not much of a photographer and the setting sun made it hard but I'm very pleased with the way these wheels turned out. Wheels are Enkei SC05 17 X 7 and Tires are Yokohama AVID W4S 225 45 17. Yes I went DOWN 1 size from the 18s I had. The ride is better, less likely to get destroyed by potholes. Over 8 lbs per corner in weight savings. They just feel less clunky. After selling the 18s and the 1/2 worn tires it only cost me about $200 to go this way. I like the look of the RS4 type wheels better than the stock Huffs. I actually think the 17s fill out the wheel wells better (yes it really needs a drop but after my experience with dropped cars on NS roads I'm not going there)

Let me know what you think

PS Still trying to decide if I want to try to remove the Enkei Tuning decals with a hairdryer. I first thought I'd do it but they really don't bother me as much as I thought

[dr_spock]

Looks good.   I notice you didn't use any locking bolts on them.   

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

Nice. Very tasteful and goes well with the car's colour.

Regarding wheel lock nuts, if they want it that bad, they'll cut/drill the locks off anyway.

[Angry Chicken]

At least they're not fuzzy bunny slippers!  I'm buying the same size tires for my Mazda3 GT Sport, but Bridgestone RE760s.  Local retailer is giving me a great deal and I already have the 17x7" rims for them.

Sweet ride and nice colour, especially with those rims.  I love those GTIs! 

[Railton]

Looks batch`n.
Railton

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Nice wheels!

[No H2O]

Let me know what you think.

Great looking car and wheels. But then, I always liked the clean lines of the more recent VWs.

[vdk]

Those GTIs need new lowering springs BADLY.

Nice rims!

[Turbo Bob]

Those GTIs need new lowering springs BADLY.

Nice rims!

Have to agree, if you are gonna make the wheels smaller it needs to be lowered, or it looks like it is teetering on tiny wheels.

Like the Enkei's though, great choice!

[tpl]

IIRC the last of the Mk V GTIs in Canada were a bit lower just a few months production of the 09 MKV before the MKVI started. When our bumper regs changed to be the same as the USA the last few cars were produced with US ride height.   I agree that it is still too high.

[toolatecrew]

I agree with the comments above. Even with the 18s there was too much wheel gap. In fact it might have been more noticable becuase the tires were skinnier leaving less "balck" tire to cover the space.

Its annoying that VW made the stock height so high. The 08s are still lower than 06-7 so that's a scary thought.

My thoughts on lowering though is that I'm just not going to do it. My maxima is lowered on H&R springs. I lowered it absolutley as little as was possible. It still crashes over our potholed roads. It still drags over some speed bumps even when I go slow. Then there is the cost. Good dspings are going to be at least 300-400. If you go with anything but Euro springs that don't lower very much I would not sun stock shocks for fear of blowing them. So lowing the car is going to cost $500 to $1000 or more. Its just too expensive for something that is mostly for looks for me. Plus the ride penalty on our roads just isn't worth it. 

I guess I'll just take that $ and put it away for when warranty runs out and spend it on an PAR chip. I might still look slightly goofy not lowered but I'll be going too fast to care.

[tpl]

I agree.   I looked at lowering and decided against it.  Jury is out on an APR chip.

[Angry Chicken]

I think it might be the photos.  The sideview photo looks like it might have been taken with a wide angle lens (probable if it's a point-and-shoot camera) which would artificially jack up and Toyota Echo-ize any car.  Stand back a bit further and then crop the photo to suit to minimize the effect

My brother had a 2007 GTI which he recently replaced with a 2010.  The 2007 had a fairly tight "dead cat zone".  Did you have the car on a jack just before you took the photos?  The suspension might not have settled.  Similarly, if you take the photos after setting the parking brake, the suspension often hikes up a bit at that corner.  Your photo in the driveway seem a little lower, btw.

[tpl]

I think it might be the photos.  The sideview photo looks like it might have been taken with a wide angle lens (probable if it's a point-and-shoot camera) which would artificially jack up and Toyota Echo-ize any car.  Stand back a bit further and then crop the photo to suit to minimize the effect

My brother had a 2007 GTI which he recently replaced with a 2010.  The 2007 had a fairly tight "dead cat zone".  Did you have the car on a jack just before you took the photos?  The suspension might not have settled.  Similarly, if you take the photos after setting the parking brake, the suspension often hikes up a bit at that corner.  Your photo in the driveway seem a little lower, btw.

That photo looks just like my GTI which has not been jacked up.

[toolatecrew]

Thanks for the photo tips. Yes I have just an inexpensive point and shoot Canon camera. I'll try what was suggested and take a picture from farter away and try digitally zooming and cropping it sometime for fun.

The car was up on the jacks to haver the rims put on but it was sitting at the shop after for at least 2 hours and then driven so I doubt there was any suspension settling.

[Turbo Bob]

My maxima is lowered on H&R springs. I lowered it absolutley as little as was possible. It still crashes over our potholed roads. It still drags over some speed bumps even when I go slow.

Really??  My Exige was super low and I never had a problem with it anywhere, and we had HUGE speedbumps in work to get over, I was always amazed that it did.  I never did get out to look to see how close I was to hitting it, but I imagine I was only a couple of mm's away.

Remember on the golf you won't have the long overhangs that can do that sometimes.

[Seafoam]

My maxima is lowered on H&R springs. I lowered it absolutley as little as was possible. It still crashes over our potholed roads. It still drags over some speed bumps even when I go slow.

Really??  My Exige was super low and I never had a problem with it anywhere, and we had HUGE speedbumps in work to get over, I was always amazed that it did.  I never did get out to look to see how close I was to hitting it, but I imagine I was only a couple of mm's away.

Remember on the golf you won't have the long overhangs that can do that sometimes.

Yes, however he lives in Nova Scotia there are potholes and broken pavement everywhere. I have the same problem with my miata since i lowered it.
I can't go back to the 4 x 4 look because of the benefits in the turns.

[CyberNick]

Looks nice, great choice for the rims! 

[Bullet Blue]

Sweet, now I'll know if it's you behind the wheel if I see a grey GTI around town. Just check the wheels! 

[toolatecrew]

Sweet, now I'll know if it's you behind the wheel if I see a grey GTI around town. Just check the wheels! 

Make sure you say hi.

I've been wanting to get a close look at a BMW 1 series now I'll know someone so I don't feel like a tool asking to have a ride in some stangers car.