18" or 20" rims

I wish to update the stance of my standard Highline Kombi.

Seems to be a few options and I am rather confused!

I have OEM 17" Devonports (with 215's) and wonder what the mandatary changes are if I wanted to move to 18" or 20" wheels?

Let's say I want to keep the 17" Devonports would it then be that I need to use spacers?

But I wouldn't need spacers for let's say Sportsline 18" wheels?

What would be required to fit 20" wheels?

Springs I think I get in that I can lower the van but are there limitations based on wheel size?

Is there a general laymans guide available that shows the options and the look that they achieve?

Many thanks
 
153274359672
Looking for a set of the 5 spoke t5 sportline alloys for my van. My van is standard ride
Height,

I’m not sure wether to go for the 18”s or the 20”s. If anyone has them on they’re van can I have a look please to help me choose. Thanks.
 
Really sorry if this is a subject that's been done to death (and if there's a recent post that covers it, please direct me towards that) but.....

I'm just starting to modify my Indium Grey T6 Kombi and have made up my mind re lowering kit and trim etc.. but am still undecided re wheels and tyres.

I will be using the van daily and although economy is a factor for me, I obviously want my van to look great. So will 20" really make that much difference in terms of mpg or ride over 18" and what size tyre should I be going for (I'm going around in circles reading historic posts) to prevent chance of rubbing and to cope with terrible roads?

Hope this makes sense? Thanks
 
I’m in the same situation although I have 20” alloys but with the wrong size tyres from what I can gather?? Trying to get info myself, just put on standard 16” steels to try and see a difference.
 
My experience
9.5 j poss 10j but that’s ur limit
Et45 best.
275/35/20xl
Make sure they weigh rates wheels .
Never noticed it’s worse on fuel but only use it on long trips..
Drives perfect but I’m on b14s
18s will be more practical but 20s look better
20s are always going to ride harder but there’s less rubber between you and the road so it’s pretty obvious that one .
Good suspension is a must

Hope this is helpful
 
Jay17cali said:
My experience
9.5 j poss 10j but that’s ur limit
Et45 best.
275/35/20xl
Make sure they weigh rates wheels .
Never noticed it’s worse on fuel but only use it on long trips..
Drives perfect but I’m on b14s
18s will be more practical but 20s look better

Hope this is helpful
Click to expand...

It is thank you. I'm going B14s too
 
Hi, this week I will work in Huntigdon area. Some one is selling used reems 18" or 20" for my new T6 multivan?
Thank you
 
I’m TA12 post code area, but will travel an hour or so if it helps? We could arrange somewhere to meet.
 
Hi, I'm a complete noob when it comes to tyres and have been trying to watch vids and get advice of what is the best size wheel to get for my new van.

Would anyone be able to help please? It's a Transporter Startline T28, 23 plate. My mate reckons 18 inch for comfort, but I've seen some nice 20 inch ones on: Leighton LV-2 Gloss Black Alloys but a bit worried about what the ride will be like. I'd be getting the Uni Royal Rainsport 5. so 275/40R20 106Y. I wasn't planning on lowering it and getting new springs. would a 275 / 50 / 106Y make much difference and would it cause any rubbing on the wheel arch. Does this make a massive difference to fuel consumption / speedometer issues.

Currently on the basic tyres and wheel trims

thanks
 
Best to read threads of other’s experiences before making a decision. It’s essential to me to keep the same rolling tyre circumference otherwise your speedo will be inaccurate. E.G. 275 50 20’s would cause your speedo to under read so liable to speeding fines.
Style, size and tyre make is personal IMHO.
 
Laughinloud said:
Hi, I'm a complete noob when it comes to tyres and have been trying to watch vids and get advice of what is the best size wheel to get for my new van.

Would anyone be able to help please? It's a Transporter Startline T28, 23 plate. My mate reckons 18 inch for comfort, but I've seen some nice 20 inch ones on: Leighton LV-2 Gloss Black Alloys but a bit worried about what the ride will be like. I'd be getting the Uni Royal Rainsport 5. so 275/40R20 106Y. I wasn't planning on lowering it and getting new springs. would a 275 / 50 / 106Y make much difference and would it cause any rubbing on the wheel arch. Does this make a massive difference to fuel consumption / speedometer issues.

Currently on the basic tyres and wheel trims

thanks
Click to expand...
I know it’s not Transporter related as such but TyreReviews did a video on decent wheel/tyre sizes using a golf.

He looked at 16”, 17” and 18”. His verdict was the 17” was probably the best all rounder. Smaller rims with bigger sidewall height is obviously better for comfort and MPG (studies in cycling have shown the efficiency of larger tyres with softer pressure too) and 18” gave a slight advantage time wise on a track but at the cost of comfort and efficiency. In the middle was best of both worlds.

I think looking at how VW commercial do it is wise too - 16” tends to go on delivery vans as that is where people spend all day in the vehicle (wanting comfort) and MPG counts a lot. 17” tends to be for the flashier people movers where looks count but comfort is still a biggie and 18” goes on the ‘sports’ versions (as if a van is ever going to be sporty, lol). They spend a few quid on R&D, can test all over the world and want to equip their vehicles so they sell - they aren’t fitting 20” for a reason.
 
16’s tend to come from factory because they are cheap and a delivery van will be a start line. They have very strong sidewalls so you can smash it up and down kerbs.
17’s generally will be because it has big brakes or I guess on a higher spec van such as highline. I doubt it’s to do with comfort.
When I put my 17’s back on last year after running 20’s it was a noticeably harsher bouncier ride. They are commercial tyres and have a 109 load rating so are very hard, and require a high tyre pressure to be in manufacturer spec-something like 50 or 55 psi. I ran mine at 40 because I couldn’t stand the harshness at the correct psi.
Back with my 20’s now (LV-1) and it’s fine. A bit hard but it’s the price you pay for a van that looks low with big wheels.
I’m sure the sweet spot is 18 or 19, but the sweetest spot will be achieved by having your suspension replaced for something that makes it more car-like.
 
It's never good when a thread starts with 'My mate reckons .. ' :rolleyes:

I myself am a huge 20's fan but there's loads to consider. I wouldn't run 20's on standard suspension because the wheels and tyres have more unsprung mass than the standards ones and the shocks find this extra mass hard to deal with. It's a bit like a bigger weight on the end of a pendulum. The problem is even worse if you were to just add lowered springs as the standard shocks can't dampen the stiffer spring.

Secondly 275/40/20 are really too big compared to the standard wheel diameter and this will make the van feel more slugglish and suffer on hills. Also 275 is too wide for most rims unless you're running a staggered set up with 10" on the back. Most rims are 8.5 to 9" wide and 275 is outside the recommended width. You'd be better of with 255/40/20 all around or if the wheels are staggered use 275/40/20 on the back only but definately not the front.

Being a T28 you only need 101 load rated tyres so 106 are way too stiff. Rainsport 5's are available in 255/40/20 101, I have them on mine.
VW do offer 20" alloys as an option so there's no issues once you do it right but even they get it wrong sometimes by offering the wrong tyres.

In short if you go 20's then change your suspension to quality shocks and springs or quality coilovers but you need to spend a bit to get good stuff. Dont be one of the many people that fit 20's and hate them because they didn't change the shocks too. Do it right any never look back.
 
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