2012 Golf TDI: Winter Tire Size Help

Jeev · Oct 17, 2011

My 2012 Golf TDI Highline comes with 17 inch tires (225/45/17).

I called a few VW dealerships and they say the smallest winter tire I can put on there is: 205/55/16.

I then called a few local tire places and they say that 15 inch winter tires (195/65/15) will fit.

Does anyone here know if 15 inch tires will work?

I know the 15 inch tires are better for going through snow, but is there any reason why i should go with the 16 inch tires over the 15?

I'm not sure if the factory lowered sport suspension on the 2012 Golf TDI makes a difference for tire options when compared to 2011 and 2010 MK6 models.

Thanks!

dieseldorf · Oct 17, 2011

Jeev said:
Does anyone here know if 15 inch tires will work?

I think that you need to determine if a 15" wheel will fit on your car and whether you can source them.

General rule in snow is taller/skinnier (assuming you are within load rating and speed rating guidelines).

Welcome aboard, Jeeve!!

sgoldste01 · Oct 17, 2011

Just use the tire configuration tool that Tire Rack provides. It will tell you if 15" wheels are an option. If the 2012 Golf is like my 2010, then you'll find that 15" wheels will work.

740GLE · Oct 17, 2011

a search will show 15" rims can fit over the rotors on the mk6 Golf TDI. So unless you have upgraded rotors, then you'll be fine with 15" and save the cash as well.

djtj · Oct 17, 2011

I don't know 100 percent, but I've been told that 15 inch rims won't fit over the brakes

crashtested · Oct 17, 2011

15" and larger for the Golf, 16" and larger for the Golf Wagens.

IceRaider360 · Oct 17, 2011

I just put mine back on today 195/65 R15 on my 2011 Golf TDI

wutbürger · Oct 17, 2011

Go see what size your spare tire is under your hatch- that will seal the deal for you

Or, to save you time, it's a 15. And as stated, 15's on non-GTI Golfs will fit, 16's and larger on the JSW since they use the same rotor size as the GTI

veedubfreak · Oct 17, 2011

The spare is 15". The question becomes, is it cheaper to buy rims and tires in 15" or just buy tires for the stock rims.

WVU TDI · Oct 17, 2011

Guys, lets keep in mind the original poster is in Canada, when a JSW is a Golf and the JSW requires 16" wheels.

If this is a regular old Golf, not a Golf Wagen, then yes, 15"s will fit.

740GLE · Oct 18, 2011

i think the jetta sportwagen ie golf wagen, has bigger rotors, so you'll def need 16".

i don't think this was clearly stated in other posts and other countless threads, i just wanted to clear that up.

20IndigoBlue02 · Oct 18, 2011

Go to the dealership.

Head to the parts department.

Give them the VIN number

Ask for what size front brake rotor.

288mm = 15"
312mm = 16"

eloreno · Oct 18, 2011

IceRaider360 said:
I just put mine back on today 195/65 R15 on my 2011 Golf TDI

Did you buy the rims from tirerack? They're saying their 15" rims won't fit..

20IndigoBlue02 · Oct 18, 2011

eloreno said:
Did you buy the rims from tirerack? They're saying their 15" rims won't fit..

TireRack is right about 99.99% of the time. There is that .01% where they do not have all the information correct or available to them.

IndigoBlueWagon · Oct 18, 2011

15" wheels will fit on a Golf. Including the post above, there's a guy in Chicago who had pictures of his Golf with snows on it. Golfs have 288mm rotors. Jetta Sportwagens have 312s.

Tire Rack doesn't always stock or show fitment on all possible tire sizes for each car. More than once I've had them call me and tell me what I ordered won't fit my car. They were wrong.

WVU TDI · Oct 18, 2011

20IndigoBlue02 said:
TireRack is right about 99.99% of the time. There is that .01% where they do not have all the information correct or available to them.

Use a regular Golf (instead of a TDI) as your vehicle, it'll show the 15s.

Joe_Meehan · Oct 18, 2011

veedubfreak said:
The spare is 15". The question becomes, is it cheaper to buy rims and tires in 15" or just buy tires for the stock rims.

Keep in mind that if you get four all the same size, it makes winter change over a easier.

Brian's96TDIPASSAT · Oct 18, 2011

I'm going top to pick up at set of 4 take-off's from a Golf or Jetta. For sale at a dealer with brand new conti's, 205-55-16 tires. I'll use the rims for winter tires for my golf and my Passat needs new tires soon so for $600, I got four OE alloys to fit my golf and 4 new tires for my Passat

20IndigoBlue02 · Oct 19, 2011

WVU TDI said:
Use a regular Golf (instead of a TDI) as your vehicle, it'll show the 15s.

That trick only works on the Golf hatchback.

If you tried it on the JSW, then you'll be ordering the incorrect size wheel/tire, as already stated, the JSW TDI gets 312mm brakes (and the 2.5 gets 288mm brakes)

740GLE · Oct 19, 2011

I'm thinking the JSW or the Gold Estate needs 16" rims, where as the regular golf (the smaller ones) can get by with 15" rims.

OMG how many times do we need to beat this dead horse?

Bugdoc · Oct 19, 2011

I ran the 16"s snows on my MkV GTI and they worked great. Go too small in cross section with 15s and handling will suffer on dry pavement. Also, 15s may look too small. (I now run 16 snows on my JSW and am satisfied.)

IceRaider360 · Oct 20, 2011

Here are some pics I snapped with my phone, 195/65 R15 Pirelli Winter Carving Edge tires on my 2011 Golf TDI up here in Canada hope it helps

seth1065 · Oct 22, 2011

Brian's96TDIPASSAT said:
I'm going top to pick up at set of 4 take-off's from a Golf or Jetta. For sale at a dealer with brand new conti's, 205-55-16 tires. I'll use the rims for winter tires for my golf and my Passat needs new tires soon so for $600, I got four OE alloys to fit my golf and 4 new tires for my Passat

wow sounds like a good deal what dealer in CT?

2012 Golf TDI: Winter Tire Size Help

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