original quote by:Thunderstruck
So with the kinds of tire pressures we run (10% under max on sidewall) they'd be harsher than 16?
The Passat is a heavier car than the Jetta/Golf and Beetle. The wheel base is longer on the Passat too. That translates into a much smoother ride from these advantage points on weight and wheel base.
You may transmit more road noise and more harshness from a lower profile tire 225/45-17 vs 205/55-16 ...but it will not transmit as much as found in the MKIV versions.
A 17 x 7.5 rim and a 225/45-17 tire vs a 16 x 6.5 rim and a 205/55-16 tire are huge in some small comparisons. The 205/55-16 tire has about 1/2 inch more side wall [4.4in] v [4.0in]. This translates into a more forgiving
first contact shock absorbtion rate with road imperfections. Think of the 205/55-16 as an added buffer between you and the pavement while driving. Shocks will work less hard and unsprung weight of a lighter sized rim and tire combo [16"] will give comfort.
original quote by:Thunderstruck
In a car that only gets 27 city, 1-2 is a significant hit. I'm not going to go whipping around off ramps anyway, so don't need handling. we run (10% under max on sidewall) they'd be harsher than 16?
With a 17 x 7.5 rim you will have more weight obviously then a 16, but you will also have width and more road resistance on the bigger rim too. City mileage will perhaps be affected somewhat because of the rolling mass to accelerate on a heavier wheel/tire combo.
Other members brought up some excellent points. Replacement costs are very high on 225/45-17 tires. You can forget about putting snow tires on 17" rims. Tall and Thin is best for snow. A 225/45-17 tire in snow is like a sled. Factor in other rims/tires for winter driving.
Lastly,
curbage and bad roads kill 17" rims that run a low profile tire. With only 4" of sidewall and the road quality in your parts ...I'd take the added sidewall height of 4.4" on the 205/55-16 in a blink. Especially in a heavier sedan.
M.D.