Golf GTi MK7 Alloys

[jaceyboy]

Hi Guys,

Just joined, recently purchased my wife a GTi and it came with the standard 18" Austin wheels, I am looking to change them to either 19" Santiago or 19" Pretoria, my only worry is will it look silly with Pretoria's as you couldn't spec the car from new with them?, i.e.. would look away from standard?, does anyone have a photo of a GTi with Pretoria's (not Club sport) also our Austin wheels have brand new Bridgestone Potenza's and also been refurbed so are like brand new, how much can I expect to get for them second hand?

Thanks

[fredgroves]

Given that an R or a CS have the 19 prets, it won't look terribly different. Loads of photos of those if you google... It certainly won't shout HALFORDS!

Not sure on a price for Austins. I'd guess that not many people would be interested as they are perceived by most as pretty ugly and anyone with them is just usually a tight arse (like me!)... although I can't say I'd choose them.

I think if I was going to spunk money on replacing wheels, I'd go have a look at the third party ones. A good TUV approved sort and have something a bit different so it looked like I'd got something for my money. Oh and stick with 18's.

[mcmaddy]

The mk7 Austin's are actually ok in fact they are better than the crap standard ones on the 7.5 gti 

[fredgroves]

Yeah those are even worse!

(I'd probably still not pay to replace them though lol!)

[mcmaddy]

A second set of Austin's for winters would be ok.

[kalimon]

I personally really like the Austin alloys although I prefer the Belvedere from the Ed40:smiley:
If I was going after market I'd be looking at some Borbet ff1's

[fredgroves]

Yeah those Borbetts are tasty looking and probably cheaper than a set of OEM whatevers to boot.

[jaceyboy]

Thanks for the replies guys, any reason to stick to 18's and not go for 19's?

[fredgroves]

Cheaper, rides better (given the state of uk roads!), less likely to buckle (also pothole!), possibly lighter, you already have the tyres and 18 rubber is cheaper

[kalimon]

19’s arguably look better but they won’t perform better so I’d save the money and stick with 18’s.
Much cheaper to replace tyres for sure.