by John Leipsic
jleipsic@mcimail.com

For the performance oriented Corrado owner, new wheels or tires can complement a most capable chassis. Benefits of an upgrade in wheels or tires extend to both appearance and handling. Serious street or auto-cross use demands specific considerations for wheel diameter and tire size.

Corrado since introduction has come with 15 inch aluminum alloy wheels. '90 to '91 alloy wheels were a sixteen spoke design in a six inch width rim. These rims were first seen on the Rallye two engine Golf. Many G60 owners have bent or cracked these soft rims from large potholes or road debris. In 1991, a spiffy set of BBS mesh wheels were included. The standard VW 4 bolt pattern of 4/100 was changed to a five bolt design. Smart looking 5 spoke speedlines from Italy were the last look of production cars from Karmann in Osnabruk, Germany.

Rim width was increased from 6 to 6 1/2 inches and tire width increased from 195 to 205 mm. The tire profile remained unchanged at a ratio of 50. Thus, stock tires for most '90 blowers are 195/50/15 while some '91 G60s and six bangers get 205/50/15. The number 50 is the ratio of tire width to sidewall, or 50 percent of tire width.

A useful concept in wheel upgrades is the Plus system. Plus One is an increase in one inch on stock diameter, Plus Two, two inches. Plus One provides benefits in filling out the abundant wheel space provided by VW. Another advantage of the plus system is to preserve stock wheel circumfrence for spedometer accuracy.VWAG builds into their cars consideration for aftermarket modifications

Plus One allows for a wider rim, and a narrower profile tire. For a Corrado this is a 16 inch rim. Consequently, lower profile tires are recommended to reduce tire rubbing and provide proper clearance. Thus, 205/45/16 tires are well suited to Plus One. For Plus Two, 205/40, or even 215/40/17 tires can be shod. 17 inch rims is beginning to push it a bit and may cause some rim rubbing.

A low profile tire such as a 50 series gives improved handling and turn in response. A stiff sidewall is also incorporated into the design of high performance tires. Low profile tires also come in Z, V, and H speed designations. Z is the highest at performance assured to sustained speeds above 149 mph. V is next for speeds up to 149 mph.

Another important considerations in tire selection is treadwear. Most high performance tires sacrifice tread life for their better grip and handling. Tire life is also affected by driving style and service practices such as tire rotation, wheel alignment and inflation pressure. Treadwear is given as a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire. A tire graded 200 should have it's useful tread last twice as long as a tire graded 100.

The quickest way to get a performance boost is to go with a high performance tire in the same size as stock. Even with the stock rims, a tire size of 205/50/15 can be easily accommodated in a G60. Most folks prefer to wait until Goodyear Eagle GA, Uniroyal 440 or other provided tires wear out. Although decent for most street uses, the original tires can't fully exploit the limits of Corrado's world class chassis.

Pirelli's P-Zero line has received ongoing acclaim as a solid advance in tire design and performance. It comes in 195/50 and 205/50 for stock 15 inch rims. Increasing a tire's width to 205 provides a larger contact patch. The amount of rubber in contact with the ground is increased, with better stick, hold and breakaway values. Some increased steering effort may be noticed as another effect. Pirelli also makes the P700Z, in stock and plus one sizes. This tire incorporates a protective lip for often expensive rims. The P700Z is in a class with Dunlop's SP8000, being fast and nimble, as tested and owned by the author. Prior to the PZero line, the P700Z was Pirelli's top of the line. Both sport tread wear indices of 140. Pirelli's advice with the P Zero line is to place P Zero Asimmetrico tires on all four wheels, as this gives the best results for front wheel drive.

Dunlop SP 8000s represent an evolution of the oft-praised D40 M2. The D40 M2 was highly praised for accurate, immediate turn-in, grip and tracking in corners. Treadwear is 170, V speed rating. SP or sport 8000s gain high praise from drivers for tenacious grip and confident wet handling. Treadwear is 150*, Z speed rating and sized 195/50 and 205/50/15 and now 205/45/16. Dunlop SP8000s will not disappoint the stock or modified Corrado enthusiast.stock diameter sizes, and the uncommon 205/45/16. They come highly recommended as well. Dunlop also makes SP2000s, which have been included stock on a few lucky VR6 Corrado. The SP2000 is rated for sport touring, with a quiet composed ride and better treadwear than SP8000.

Yokohama's, also know as Yok's, have their devotees as well. Yokohama A008RS are an autocross favorite, with notorious stick reflecting the soft compound and tread wear index of 80. Yok AVS Intermediate come in both stock sizes with a treadwear index of 140.

Goodyear has the reputation of "Badyear." Michelin MXX and such have also met with disdain and poor wet performance. Sumitomo, the parent company of Dunlop, makes HTR 50 in H and V speed ratings They come in 195/50 and 205/50 with an H speed designation tread wear index is 220 . Preliminary reports indicate the Sumitomo HTR 50H as an economical and satisfying tire.

Continental Sport Contact seem promising as they are stock tires on high performance German autos. However, ratings have not held up this promise. Contis get variously panned in the press. BF Goodrich Comp TA could also be briefly entertained, but no real advantage would be gained.

Personally, I find the Dunlop SP8000s superior as an all around performer. After getting too radical on one onramp, the SP8000s recovered my Corrado's composure with panache, as ABS prevented a side slide. Their handling and confidence in wet conditions is becoming legendary. Tires on this level provide a perfect complement to Corrado's capabilities.

For winter tires, Conti Winter Contact are a good choice. Or the high tech water absorbent cell structure of Bridgestone Blizzaks are state of the art. Blizzak's are designed so that the soft-cell structure wears for one winter season and leaves a set of all seasons to drive after. Pirelli makes an __H__ rated 185/55/15 tire, the Winter 210P tires which is great in the snow and not too bad in the dry either.

With a full set of 4 snow tires, Corrado holds it's own in snow and ice. A width of 185/55/15 is recommended by VW and Bentley manual for winter tires. The narrower width provides better traction, and higher sidewall protects the rim. Steel wheels can be used in winter as well. If studded tires are allowed in your region, Corrado's front wheel design provides even better inclement handling. Studded tires and I became close friends in the great northern reaches of Alaska. Incidentally, the name Blizzak come from blizzard, and the postal designation for Alaska, AK.

Rim selection is highly subjective, with personal taste and preference foremost. One advantage to a new set of rims is that most aftermarket rims in 15 inch are 7 inch width. It is surprising to feel how much of a difference one inch can make over stock G60 6 inches or VR6 6.5 inches. And they say size doesn't matter! For the G60, this results in a greater rim contact area of 4 inches, enough to make a difference you can feel.

Another important consideration for aftermarket rim selection is offset. Offset is the length between the mounting hub and inner rim of a wheel. This length is important because offset too great can cause rubbing against inner wheel well or suspension components.

Corrado G60 4 bolt rims 7 X 15, that is 7 inch width by 15 inch diameter can handle offset of 20 to 43. 7.5 X 16 offset of 20 to 37, 7.5 X 17 offset 20 to 30. Corrado VR6 5 bolt rims 7 X 15 offset to 33, 7.5 X 16 offset to up 357.5 X 17 offset of up to 35, 8 X 17 offset of up to 35. This data was derived from the D & W aftermarket German catalog.

A sharp rim on the Corrado is the Borbet Type C, six spoke tapered modern design. MSW Type 55 have also been a good choice. Antera Opus One are a radical three spoke design, very expensive. One disadvantage to a three spoke design is the increased exposure of wheel and brake assemblies. Some poor souls go as far to ask, "what's all that stuff behind the wheel?" Rota Anteres is a more frugal copy of Antera's five spoke design. For those wanting the stock VR6 look, speedlines can be ordered.

Momo has come out with a beautiful selection of rims. Momo Idea and Momo Evolution have interchangeable center caps, for a modern techno look, or classic 5 spoke. Momo Arrows are a striking design, with split spokes.

All tires and wheels are best purchased mail order. The sales staff are often helpful and knowledgeable for attaining a proper fit. Two advertisers in european car carry competitive prices, and wheel/tire packages. Always check with these supply houses, Discount Tire Direct and The Tire Rack. Buying wheels and tires at the same time leads to better deals and negotiating room. Also, Tire Rack and Discount Tire mount and balance the tires at the warehouse. Tires come ready to mount. Always use proper jacking and support for selfmounting. A floor jack is a wise investment. Jack stands are also helpful.

One way to get an idea of what new rims would look like is to cut out the photo ad inserts and place them on a photo of a Corrado. Or go to a local VW show and see what rims you like. Or a local performance shop that may have some. Keep in mind that most aluminum alloy rims are finished with silver clearcoat paint. But the depth of luster and quality of paint varies greatly. You get what you pay for, with the fit and finish of Momos, Borbet and Antera excellent.

Custom rims are precision designed and finished. Always insist any installer hand torque your new rims carefully. Using power torque wrenches can lead to overtightening, potentially warping rims. Wheel locks are a must as well. MacGuard are efficient and easy to install. The key has a metal insert that may wear out with long term use. Gorilla locks are recommended by Discount Tire, with a solid key and bolts with surface grooves.

One drawback to a larger rim, either 16 or 17 inch, and reduced sidewall is increased ride harshness. Also a lower profile tire provides less rubber to protect your expensive rims. But the advantages of improved wheel well fill, wider width tire, and lower profile sidewall provide a far more pleasing combination and improvement over stock. One advantage to getting new rims is saving the stock alloys for a second set of rims. Winter wheels with snow tires kept on hand can be real useful when the slippery stuff arrives.

I hope this guide has been a helpful start to outfitting your Corrado with new tires and wheels.

For further reference:
"High Performance Tire Sales and Reference Guide" by Yokohama
800/423-4544.

Call the Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393. A recording will come on, and you can indicate what information you would like to obtain-- you want the report Uniform Tire Grading, which will tell you all about Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature ratings required by law on all tires. Also, it will list all tires made and their ratings, and it's all free.

A "Consumer Tire Guide" is available from the Tire Industry Safety Council, PO Box 3147, Medina OH 44258, for $4. It also includes an air pressure gauge, tread depth gauge, and four valve caps.

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