Lightweight 18inch alloys upgrade

[solano]

Hi all,
I have 2020 GTI 7.5 PP and I'm trying to improve the dynamics of the car a bit. My car is under warranty (I'm not from the UK, sadly) and it its 5 year one (2 year factory, 3 year dealership). So Stage 1 upgrades are no-go for me, as dealerships here will refuse to honor any drivetrain problems, if the car has been altered in any way.

This leaves me with the only thing I can change - alloys and tyres. When I was configuring my car, alloy wheel weight was not something I was considering, so I chose the best looking rims to my taste - the 18 inch Sevilla ones. Turns out, they are on the heavy side, 11.4 kg (25.1 lbs), according to the internet.

So I am in the look of a good lightweight alternative. The most "common" suggestion for such alloy is the OZ Ultraleggera. They are 8.6 KG (19 lbs).

The weight saving is 2.8kg (6.2) a piece.
The stock tyres, that I still use, are the Bridgestone Potenza S001. They weight 10.1 kg (22.27 lbs) and are not very good, so I will change those as well with something lighter, like Pirelli P Zero PZ4, which are 9.4 kg (20.7 lbs).

Combined, the savings would be 3.5kg (7.7 lbs) per corner. For unsprung mass, I think the savings are quite OK and should make a difference.

So, can anyone suggest different alloys that are lighter, but are not too expensive (factory mk7 Clubsport alloys, Belvedere, are lighter, but they are 750 pounds a pop...)

Thank you !

[fredgroves]

The Leggies are about the lightest you will find IMHO.

A bit lighter than the Team Dynamics ones.

Just down to style choice really.

Removing that much unsprung weight will be a big improvement, you could also think about some lighter discs too.

[jv]

Bola make some interesting lightweight wheels, 8.1kg in 8.5x18 for just over 200 a wheel.

Check out Konig as well they do a range of flow formed wheels at around 8.5kg at a good price.

[solano]

Thanks for the inputs, will check the mentioned brands as well.
But before that, could you give me advice on the size of the alloys ?

From “J” perspective I think I can go with 7, 7.5 and 8.
For “ET” my research suggested 45.

For example, the Ultraleggera ones that I’m looking at are    8Jx18" 5x112 ET45
Is this the optimal size ?

And as a side question, my Golf is Indium Gray, I am planning on getting graphite (oz Color) alloys. Anyone thinks that would look bad ?

Thanks !

[Exonian]

Borbet FF1 is my suggestion in addition to the above.
8x18 ET45 is an ideal fit. A few millimetres either way on the offset will also be ok.
I’d avoid 7J unless skinny winter only but offset would need to be low on these.

[Jace]

The OEM 18” VW Clubsport Belvedere wheels weigh in at 7.6kg each

Quite rare & expensive even when buying "used" though

[bogwoppit]

Motec Ultralight is another option, just over 8kg a wheel for 18".

[Rudedog]

How do the 18" Pretoria's fair that seemed so popular?

If my OE wheels became bad I was thinking about a set of these for £1300 from VW.

[bogwoppit]

That's what I fitted to mine recently, they are roughly 10.6kg each, so not as light as the above options.
Some photos here:

https://www.original-felgen.com/5g0071498a2zt.html

I may eventually get them painted in silver, I'm still on the fence.

[SRGTD]

That's what I fitted to mine recently, they are roughly 10.6kg each, so not as light as the above options.
Some photos here:

https://www.original-felgen.com/5g0071498a2zt.html

I may eventually get them painted in silver, I'm still on the fence.

If they were mine I’d save the cost of getting them repainted as I prefer the original Graphite colour to silver.