Is it just me or are the vRS alloy wheels a little on the porked up side? Just took them off to do all that good stuff like cleaning, sealing and stroking them and they weigh a ton. I have put the steel wheels on which must be a good 8lbs lighter. Just about to go out for a blast to see how they handle in comparison cos they have got decent tyres on and the suspension should be a whole lot quicker now.

PS not that happy about the economy so far, I have been driving like a vicar the whole time too and with all long runs and still only getting 33mpg, that sucks.

Edited 27 March, 201016 yr by TsvRS

PS not that happy about the economy so far, I have been driving like a vicar the whole time too and with all long runs and still only getting 33mpg, that sucks.

I've seen 42mpg on a 40 mile trip just going with the flow of traffic, so you can't be driving that conservatively. :p

The MPG on a new car is always less than advertised, give it time and it will improve a lot.

I guess the answer on the handling of steel wheels vs the wider but much heavier alloys is as expected albeit based on an extremely subjective non scientific test. On the bumpy country roads the lighter steel wheels win out in nearly every department, better braking, cornering and similar feel (at same tyre pressure). On the smooth asphalt though, where there is a lesser demand on the suspension, I think the wider wheels would win outright.

Going to Manchester this week so I will see how the fuel consumption evolves as the miles rack up, 1500 so far. Thanks for the assurance mannyo.

Heavy as hell but they do scrub up nicely - cleaned, clayed, polished and sealed (AG EGP). Only managed to finish one though . . .

Only managed to finish one though . . .

They take ages to do thoroughly, but it's really worth it imo. Stick with it on the others.

I've seen 42mpg on a 40 mile trip just going with the flow of traffic, so you can't be driving that conservatively. :p

I disagree, 42mpg is very good going

Is it just me or are the vRS alloy wheels a little on the porked up side? Just took them off to do all that good stuff like cleaning, sealing and stroking them and they weigh a ton. I have put the steel wheels on which must be a good 8lbs lighter. Just about to go out for a blast to see how they handle in comparison cos they have got decent tyres on and the suspension should be a whole lot quicker now.

PS not that happy about the economy so far, I have been driving like a vicar the whole time too and with all long runs and still only getting 33mpg, that sucks.

I'm glad they are heavy and solid

The other week I hit a very deep pothole and it sent such a shudder through the car I thought the wheel/tyre/suspension must be damaged. To my amazement there was no damage so I'm glad the wheels are very solid and strong

Heavy as hell but they do scrub up nicely - cleaned, clayed, polished and sealed (AG EGP). Only managed to finish one though . . .

Amateur I've done all of ..................... two

I'm glad they are heavy and solid

The other week I hit a very deep pothole and it sent such a shudder through the car I thought the wheel/tyre/suspension must be damaged. To my amazement there was no damage so I'm glad the wheels are very solid and strong

I've had some big hits over the winter too but nothing damaged.

And I've never seen 42mpg. I've had 40mpg on a long 70mph run and I can get 35-37 regularly but 33 is pretty average.

I did notice I was getting 42mpg (on the maxidot) on the long run today at a steady 75. Not too bad :-).