Any suggestions or pics

Picked it up last night

Then I would stick with 16s. Anything larger will make the gap look worse.

Our previous Mk5 GTI had 18" Huffs and was not lowered it looked ok.

But that was a GTI which has a lower gap to begin with then the Jetta.

Anyhow, I just bought a 2010 JSW TDI that I'm picking up tomorrow. It has the 17" Porto on it. I'm going to be doing springs and 18" wheels so I have no use for these. I would be open to trading for your stock wheels (just to have in the event that I sell the car) and some cash. I will be doing my wheel swap ASAP so they will have low miles on them.

Let me know if you are interested. Obviously they will need to be shipped so keep that in mind -- I'm in Columbia, SC.

Thanks for the offer but I want to keep the stock wheels for winter

You might try an IM to StaceyR in OC California is looking to swap stock wheels for Portos.

There was a review on a Sportwagen SEL with 18" wheels on Edmunds Inside Line recently, they said the handling was downright scary and awful with the 18" wheels.

BTW - nice car.

Also, the review you mention...is it from a reader or the Edmunds staff?

Here is the blog commenting on the handling, a commenter pointed out the wild ride handling was most likely due to the 18" wheels + suspension travel limiters.

http://blogs.insideline.com/st...html

Test driver comments:

"Slalom: Frankly, I'm a little shocked by the 63-mph average speed, because this wagon felt horrible through the slalom: Big yaw delay, followed by understeer, followed by oversteer, followed by ESP intervention. What a mess."

Interesting enough, I call both Eibach and H&R yesterday. H&R informed me that the 09 JSW springs will work just fine while Eibach told me they are waiting for a 2010 JSW to test fitment. Talk about adding to the confusion!

I really want a little drop to reduce wheel gap and 18" wheels -- not sure what to do now.

Modest OEM sport suspension or Eibach is OK, but I would not go any lower than that. You would also lose too much of the utility (load capacity) of the wagen.

Modified by feels_road at 4:43 PM 10-23-2009

VW EV, plug-in Hybrid, and/or 1.4-2.0 VVT&VVL T/dual-charged FSI engines for the US would be useful...

I'm not trying to "slam" my vehicle -- just reduce the wheel gap a bit which is why I'm leaning towards the Eibach's or the H&R's. My understanding is that Eibach's drop you about 1.2" all the way around while the H&R's are 1.5" front and 1.4" rear. I'm hoping to place an order this weekend but want to do so with confidence...

Picked the new sled up last night -- Reflex Silver with black interior. It has roof, Porto wheels and map kit. I'll post some pics later... Can't wait to get springs, 18s and the windows tinted!

Getting tinted Monday, springs and wheels to follow.

Can't wait for a front spoiler and badgeless grill (anybody?)

Anyway, I was thinking mild drop no more than 1.5" and 18's for summer.

I plan to run my 16's with Hakkapaliitti R's in 195/60-16 for winter

Didn't know about the suspension limiter, I would guess that it's required to keep from damaging the struts from bottoming out when lowered, Does anybody have further technical info on why?

I wouldnt let Autoblog pee on my parade!!! This forum is invaluable for sharing information like this!!! Glad to be a part of it

Stacey

Now if I could only get the spring situation figured out, I will be on my way...

IMHO the 1.5/1.4 drop should look really nice, and yet not to radical.

Most likely I will wait until spring to replace the springs since I might as well enjoy the extra ground clearence at least one winter!

I'll keep you posted if I get the bug to do it sooner, let us know what you decide!

if thats what you want make it happen, every time a new platform comes out there is an influx of purist noob douchebags who come in and preach the "dont go bigger than 15" wheels and dont lower it... OMG you are looking for some aesthetic improvements...how dare you, the engineers know whats best" well

****, drop it a few inches or 4 and put some wheels that you like on it

You do realize the '10 Jetta Sportwagen still rides on the MKV platform that has been around since oh 2003.

I did not see anyone saying "don't go bigger than 15" wheels and don't lower it". The OP asked about 18" wheels on stock suspension, myself and others indicated that there have been handling problems associated with placing 18" wheels on stock MKV suspension and that suspension limiters are required on the MKV platform if you upgrade to 18" wheels.

Get off your high f'ing horse.

I am fully aware that it shares the mkV underpinnings, just saying every time a new body style comes out there is an influx of new dubbers who seem to be afraid of modification, or so non-mechanical that they call removing a screw and bending a tab "a mod". As far as the handling issues goes....its his wifes wagon, unless his wife is named Sabine i think she will be just fine with just about every spring/shock and or coilover available.

the 15" etc comment is called exaggeration, i guess i should have said 16"

OP ---- wagons look very good with some drop and some nice wheels :thumbsup:

Modified by Bart Taylor at 4:50 PM 10-24-2009

...followed shortly after by the influx of old dubbers who seem to think the only "baller" way to mod one's car is to break the suspension and put silly wheels from the 80s on it. God forbid one generation starts a new trend of function over form.

good luck with that, seriously

seacrest out

I know, right?

Expecting originality and variation out of "dubbers" is a long wait for a train that ain't coming.

That's what I'm trying to do but am trying to gather some info before making some informed purchases. Your and Prototypical's comments aren't a big help frankly. If you guys want to knock\have a discussion about "old school" vs. "new school" Dubbers or those who are mechanically or not mechanically inclined, feel free to start your own thread.

While I am mechanically inclined and have modded many a car and bike, I'm not overly familiar with the MKV\MKVI JSW that I just purchased thus my questions\interest in learning more. Sorry if that bothers some. I haven't owned a VW since '97...

So getting back on topic, are suspension travel limiters required if one switches springs with a mild drop with 18s?

Thanks in advance for any info.

i have not really heard anything about the susp. limiters, but then i wouldn't put lowering springs on a stock soft strut. If you get a good combo of spring/strut i have not heard of any problems, i put just springs on my wifes passat wagon without struts and with 20s and had no issues what so ever but on my cars i have always gone with coils cause i like to dial in the height to whatever wheels/tires i am running.
i cannot vouch either way about the susp limiting aspect but i would say if you go h&r and what they recommend i can honestly say there will be zero issues, these people do it for a living. I wasnt trying to be a dick, although quite frankly i am to be honest.

i know that the mkv/mkvi jsw is the same, rootrider has a rather nice setup on his and has autocrossed his car, ask him what he has to say

Perhaps the wider 18"s will be more susceptible to rubbing when the suspension is compressed?

17's are an option on JSW and they look good. We are actually going to take the 17's from our Passat and put them on our JSW.