Volkswagen (VW) MK8 Golf R Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Models Covered in This Guide

2022+ Golf R

Brake Clearance Information

All of our VW Flow Formed SM-10, Forged VS-5RS, and Forged ML-10RT wheels will clear the standard and Performance Package GTI brakes with ease, as well as a variety of aftermarket BBK's. However, the larger 360mm Golf R brakes will require spacers with certain 17" wheels or larger 18" wheels to ensure safe barrel clearance.

These fitments are ready-to-bolt-on, typically without any modifications, and provide a meaningful increase in wheel width over stock. Available in both 17" and 18" diameters, the fitments listed in this section are an ideal choice for the enthusiast who regularly drives their VW on the street but still wants to participate in a few HPDE's as well. These fitments are a great match for a completely stock or lightly modified MK8 GTI or Golf R.

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 18x8.5” ET43
• • Popular Fitment
  • Available in SM-10 design only
  • Compatible with larger 360mm Golf R brakes

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 235/40-18
• • Direct fit
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Wider Alternative: 245/40-18
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Wider Alternative 2: 245/35-18
• • Direct fit
  • With a shorter overall rolling diameter compared to the 245/40-18, the 245/35-18 will allow you to run a wider contact patch while reducing the chance of rubbing under suspension compression.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180 TW)
• Wider Alternative 3: 255/35-18
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • Not recommended when running tire compounds that tend to run wide in the shoulders (200TW or R compounds), as those will be better supported with our 18x9" ET42 fitment.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Slimmer Alternative (OE width): 225/40-18
• • Direct fit
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)

These fitments are the perfect match for weekend track warriors and hardcore racers seeking to maximize the wheel and tire size that they can fit on their MK8 VW. These aggressive wheel specs will typically require supportive modifications commonly found on track cars. Available in 17", 18", and 19" diameters to cater to a variety of performance-focused tire sizes and compounds. With a focus on brake clearance, our VW-specific fitments are able to clear the standard Golf R and GTI Performance Package brakes with ease, as well as a variety of aftermarket BBKs. However, brake clearance can vary depending on wheel design, as the VS-5RS and SM-10 will have better clearance for larger aftermarket brakes compared to the ML-10RT. The larger 360mm Golf R brakes will require spacers with certain 17" wheels or larger 18/19" wheels to ensure safe barrel clearance.

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 17x9” ET42
• • Popular Fitment
  • Available in SM-10 and VS-5RS design
  • 3mm front spacers required to clear the larger 360mm Golf R brakes For SM-10.
  • No spacers required with VS-5RS.
  • No spacers required for GTI models with both SM-10 and VS-5RS.

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 255/40-17
• • "Fender screw mod" is recommended to help alleviate any rubbing that may occur under suspension compression.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is recommended when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Slimmer Alternative: 245/40-17
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 18x9” ET42
• • The best track setup option for those running aftermarket BBKs with rotor sizes that require 18" or larger wheels.
  • Available in SM-10, VS-5RS, and ML-10RT designs.
  • Compatible with larger 360mm Golf R brakes.

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 255/35-18
• • "Fender screw mod" is recommended to help alleviate any rubbing that may occur under suspension compression.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is recommended when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Wider Alternative: 265/35-18
• • Additional front and rear negative camber is required when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • May require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Slimmer Alternative: 245/40-18
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Reverse Stagger Fitments:

For the MK8 Golf or GTI, a square setup with the same size wheels and tires at all four corners is typically the best option for both street and track use. With a square setup, you will have a more neutral handling balance compared to a staggered setup, as well as the ability to rotate your wheels and tires to maximize tread life. However, there are certain situations where the driving characteristics of a reverse stagger setup can provide a handling advantage over a square setup. When driving on an autocross course or a tight track with minimal high-speed sections, a reverse stagger setup can allow you to have more rotational control of your vehicle. With a reverse stagger setup, you will have less rear grip, which can induce oversteer at the limit. This oversteer helps rotate the car during tighter and lower-speed corners, providing you with more control to point the vehicle where it needs to be coming out of a corner.

Wheels:

• Front: 17x9" ET42 // Rear: 17x8.5" ET43
• • Available in SM-10 design only
  • Recommended for FWD vehicles only.

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 255/40-17 // Rear: 235/45-17
• • "Fender screw mod" is recommended to help alleviate any rubbing that may occur under suspension compression.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is recommended when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Wheels:

• Front: 18x9" ET42 // Rear: 18x8.5" ET43
• Available in SM-10 design only
• Recommended for FWD vehicles only.

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 265/35-18 // Rear: 245/40-18
• • "Fender screw mod" is recommended to help alleviate any rubbing that may occur under suspension compression.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is recommended when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 19x9” ET42
• • Available in ML-10RT design only.

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 245/35-19
• • "Fender screw mod" is recommended to help alleviate any rubbing that may occur under suspension compression.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is recommended when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
• Wider Alternative: 255/30-19
• • Additional front and rear negative camber is required when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • May require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression.

Whether you are a casual weekend track warrior that still enjoys your car on the street, or a hard core racer competing for a spot on the podium, negative camber is a vital part of chassis setup that has many benefits. Not only will adding negative camber create more room for wider wheel and tire configurations, it more importantly improves handling, turn-in and tire longevity. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.

Still have questions?

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