New wheels for 184 TDI

[Tomevans1000]

Hello there I am looking now to replace the alloys I’ve currently got on my 2015 Seat Leon FR 184 TDI they are currently 17inch. I have heard good things about the springs and shocks so hoping not to have to change anything there to improve fitment. I was wondering if anyone had any examples of this being done and any suggestions on whether it is a good idea, I also have read somewhere the 184 sits 10mm lower already( could be wrong) and was wondering if this had any affect on things.

Thanks any advice is helpful.

 

[serdar_18fr]

I also have read somewhere the 184 sits 10mm lower already( could be wrong)

The running gear components of FRs are different (shorter & stiffer springs, thicker anti-roll bars etc), as their chassis is called "sports" while the other trims have "standard" one.

The 10mm lower stance comes from this difference, not from being a 184.

 

[Tomevans1000]

Ah ok excellent thanks .

 

[serdar_18fr]

Hello there I am looking now to replace the alloys I’ve currently got on my 2015 Seat Leon FR 184 TDI they are currently 17inch. I have heard good things about the springs and shocks so hoping not to have to change anything there to improve fitment. I was wondering if anyone had any examples of this being done and any suggestions on whether it is a good idea.

Thanks any advice is helpful.

As 18" wheels were an optional size for any Mk3 FR, you can safely switch to them without worrying about anything, as long as you comply with the factory specs on rim width, offset and tire size.

18" wheel specs for Mk3 are as follows:
Rim width: 7,5"
Offset: ET51 (51mm)
Tire size: 225/40

Some little differences in offset and rim width may not matter in terms of clearance but I for one would stay faithful to factory specs for the health of suspension geometry.

Also, your original 17" wheel specs are like this:
Rim width: 7"
Offset: ET49 (49mm)
Tire size: 225/45

If you are looking for some wildly different sized wheels and tires, you may want to use tire/wheel size comparison & calculation sites which are available on the internet. You can enter your current sizes and the sizes of the wheel/tire combination you'd like to use and see what kind of difference that makes in terms of clearance and/or protruding. Make sure that it's a site where rim width and offset are also evaluated, not just tire sizes.

 

[Rob66]

If you go for 18" the SEAT Cup Racer Alloys would be my choice although pricey now. MK2 Alloys will also fit on a MK3 with no problem.

 

[Mr Pig]

We've had four Leons. an SE, two FRs and Cupra. Upped wheels on one and used smaller winter alloys on two of them so used them with 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 inch wheels.

The Goldilocks wheel size is 18''.

Going from 17 to 18 you'll notice sharper turn-in and generally tighter handling. Road feel is a bit better and the reduction in comfort is marginal. In theory, you're more at risk from pot-holes but in practice it's fine. We've got two cars on 18, hit stuff prety hard and no damage. 18 is totally worth it with no major down sides.

19 is too big. They break too easily! Have a google and you'll see loads of people dealing with cracked alloys on Cupras. Comfort is fine to be honest but when you hit pot-holes and cracks you really know about it. You're conscious of the vulnerability of your wheels and for the slight increase in precision it's just not worth it.

Get 18'' wheels and you'll be happy.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

@Mr Pig I love the look of 19" wheels on the Cupra, but comfort is compromised indeed, even with DCC in comfort mode.

 

[Mr Pig]

@Mr Pig I love the look of 19" wheels on the Cupra, but comfort is compromised indeed, even with DCC in comfort mode.

I don't think the ride is too harsh, it's just not right.

To make up for the very large wheels they made the suspension too soft. The result is poor road feel and handling but the suspension can't fix every issue the huge wheels cause so you still get crashing over pot-holes and ruts and wheel damage if you're not very careful.

 

[SuperV8]

As 18" wheels were an optional size for any Mk3 FR, you can safely switch to them without worrying about anything, as long as you comply with the factory specs on rim width, offset and tire size.

18" wheel specs for Mk3 are as follows:
Rim width: 7,5"
Offset: ET51 (51mm)
Tire size: 225/40

Some little differences in offset and rim width may not matter in terms of clearance but I for one would stay faithful to factory specs for the health of suspension geometry.

Also, your original 17" wheel specs are like this:
Rim width: 7"
Offset: ET49 (49mm)
Tire size: 225/45

If you are looking for some wildly different sized wheels and tires, you may want to use tire/wheel size comparison & calculation sites which are available on the internet. You can enter your current sizes and the sizes of the wheel/tire combination you'd like to use and see what kind of difference that makes in terms of clearance and/or protruding. Make sure that it's a site where rim width and offset are also evaluated, not just tire sizes.

There are also 7.5x17 with ET51 alloys PR:C0U - My ST FR has this size.
There is also a 7.5x18 with ET45 - so in effect sticks out 6mm further.
I use my old Audi A4 B6 winter alloy for my spare - exactly the same size as the Leon wheel/tyre.

 

[Frostybear]

18s look the best, 19s look too big imo! Also, 18s will be slightly cheaper for wheels and tires no matter what you go for

 

[Tomevans1000]

That’s brilliant cheers all for the info!

 

[Tomevans1000]

Would 18x7.5j be your limit in terms width as I’m seeing lots of aftermarket options that are 18x8j but if that could potentially cause additional wear on other parts I would rather wait a bit longer to purchase the 18x7.5j cup racer alloys from Seat Parts directly. Thanks