cbenjes
Go Kart Newbie
I just mounted my winter wheel package. 16" Sport Edition CE silver painted wheels and 205/55-16 Blizzak WS70 tires. Quite a difference driving with 16" tires versus the 225/40-18 Conti DSWs. Here are some comments.
First, the Sport Editions were not my first choice and are OK looking, but I bought them second-hand explicitly for use in the winter at a price I couldn't turn down. The silver paint color almost makes them look like plastic. Maybe in summer, I'll paint them a gloss black or a gunmetal gray.
I had to use hub centering rings when mounting the wheel to convert the bore of the wheel to the center hub on the GTI. While centering rings DO come with a purchase direct from Tire Rack, the second-hand purchase did not include them so I had to order a set. $1.50 each x 4 = $6.00 + $7.68 shipping. It took 24 hours to get them to my door. Gotta love Tire Rack. Thanks for the great service, Tanner!
As I said, driving the vehicle is a lot different with the 16" Blizzaks, especially in cornering. You can feel the sway from the larger sidewalls around curves and off ramps. There is definitely less precision when changing lanes and cornering. But it's a snow tire with a taller sidewall. You have to expect that. They are a tad louder on the highway, but are fairly smooth and hold the center of the lane well. The ride is a lot softer over bumps and lane grooves. Again, the taller sidewall.
Roads were damp on the way to work this morning and the tire held traction well. Of course, anything is better then the well-worn Conti DSWs that I took off.
Can't wait to try them in the snow and slush. I'll add to this thread after the first experience with in the white cold stuff.
As for overall looks, not great. The GTI looks much better with Detroits and low profile 18's, so it will be a long winter staring at this set-up, but I'll get used to it and it will be beautiful when the Detroits go back on in March. This winter setup makes the GTI look like a regular Golf. Nothing wrong with Golfs, but this is a GTI. My son said the new wheels/tires make it look like Doc Brown's Delorean when Marty McFly was running through the 1950's drive-in movie headed toward the Old West in 1885. More later. Pictures when I take some.
First, the Sport Editions were not my first choice and are OK looking, but I bought them second-hand explicitly for use in the winter at a price I couldn't turn down. The silver paint color almost makes them look like plastic. Maybe in summer, I'll paint them a gloss black or a gunmetal gray.
I had to use hub centering rings when mounting the wheel to convert the bore of the wheel to the center hub on the GTI. While centering rings DO come with a purchase direct from Tire Rack, the second-hand purchase did not include them so I had to order a set. $1.50 each x 4 = $6.00 + $7.68 shipping. It took 24 hours to get them to my door. Gotta love Tire Rack. Thanks for the great service, Tanner!
As I said, driving the vehicle is a lot different with the 16" Blizzaks, especially in cornering. You can feel the sway from the larger sidewalls around curves and off ramps. There is definitely less precision when changing lanes and cornering. But it's a snow tire with a taller sidewall. You have to expect that. They are a tad louder on the highway, but are fairly smooth and hold the center of the lane well. The ride is a lot softer over bumps and lane grooves. Again, the taller sidewall.
Roads were damp on the way to work this morning and the tire held traction well. Of course, anything is better then the well-worn Conti DSWs that I took off.
Can't wait to try them in the snow and slush. I'll add to this thread after the first experience with in the white cold stuff.
As for overall looks, not great. The GTI looks much better with Detroits and low profile 18's, so it will be a long winter staring at this set-up, but I'll get used to it and it will be beautiful when the Detroits go back on in March. This winter setup makes the GTI look like a regular Golf. Nothing wrong with Golfs, but this is a GTI. My son said the new wheels/tires make it look like Doc Brown's Delorean when Marty McFly was running through the 1950's drive-in movie headed toward the Old West in 1885. More later. Pictures when I take some.
