GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: p3eps on 18 January 2010, 18:33
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I'm waiting for my Golf R which is now a build week 9 - and likely to be with me mid - late March.
I specced the 19" wheels, which seemed like a good idea at the time.
Just now I've been given a shot of a Daihatsu Terios (kind of like a Rav 4 for those who have no idea what it is!!) which is fine as a run around - and has nice big meaty 4x4 style tyres on it!
With the recent snow and ice, the roads are pot hole hell - and its difficult to drive anywhere... even on main roads without encountering pot holes that put a shock right up your spine! On the Terios, this doesn't cause too much problem as the tyres have a huge profile. On the 19" wheels I have on order - this is going to be hell! 35mm between them and the wheel :shocked:
I'm hoping in another 8 weeks the council will have got their fingers out and filled in / resurfaced most of the main roads - but I'm not holding my breath. It makes me feel pretty worried, as a friend had to replace 2 alloys at the weekend as they both got buckled on a pot hole. The council will apparently refund you £100 per wheel - but a new R wheel / tyre will probably cost about £500+.
I'm in two minds already to order a set of winter wheels / tyres - and get an old set of 16" / 17" wheels with winter tyres... and just put them straight on the car until the main pot hole situation is cleared up. Will any Golf wheels fit, or do they have to be a certain offset?
I'm guessing that a 19" wheel with profile 35, means an 18" with 45, 17" with 55, and 16" with 65?
It'd seem such a shame to have the new car with manky looking wheels - but I'd rather than than destroy the new wheels within the first few weeks!
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Because of the size of the front brakes the smallest you can go on the R is 17" with 205/50R17 (narrower winter size) or 225/45R17 tyres (GTI size). 18's would use 225/40's. In Germany they spec a 6x17 alloy winter wheel called the 'Meribel' but I don't know what they look like. Standard offset for the GTI is ET51 and I assume it is the same for the 7.5x18 and 8x19 Talladegas, but I'm not sure.
As for pot holes - we'll all just have to keep our p3epers open. If they resurfaced them properly in the first place instead of dropping some tar and throwing stones over it, they might last a bit longer. It's getting tiresome in this crap country with its crap roads.
EDIT: I am told the 8x19 Talladega is ET41, but this is not confirmed.
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The roads in the north east are just stupid and i know what you meen about low profile, its why im still in two minds about fitting 19s or even 18s! to my car. The amount of cars we use to get in at my mates garage with buckled wheels was just eye openning. Its not always noticable either till you get them on a 2 post in the air and spin the wheels and look at the inside edge rim of the alloy (weakest point due to lack of suport). Big alloys may look good but im getting to the point of thinking are they really worth the hassle just for looks.
It would be interesting to find out what the offset is on the 'R' wheels as it maybe different to the rest of the range due to the 4wd system as im not sure but i think the S3 is different to the golfs.
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Its not always noticable either till you get them on a 2 post in the air and spin the wheels and look at the inside edge rim of the alloy (weakest point due to lack of suport).
Yes, I've had this when I drove over an open storm drain. The wheel looked fine from the outside but was bent so much in the inside edge it lost pressure.
Big alloys may look good but im getting to the point of thinking are they really worth the hassle just for looks.
They are definitely worth it just for looks. You're just getting too sensible :grin: :wink:
The Meribel winter wheel, 6x17, offset 48.5mm:
(http://www.volkswagen-zubehoer.de/shop/images/product_images/popup_images/1K0073637FD8Z8.jpg)
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The Meribel winter wheel, 6x17, offset 48.5mm:
(http://www.volkswagen-zubehoer.de/shop/images/product_images/popup_images/1K0073637FD8Z8.jpg)
They actually look OK!
Can we get them over here, or are they another German only thing?
Since we don't really know the R's offset, I don't suppose theres any point in rushing out and buying something yet.
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Do you still get a spare on the R?? I personally wouldn't spec 19's, I got a puncture with 19's after hitting a rogue cats eye, spent two hours on the side of the M25 waiting for the recovery truck... Just glad I wasn't with my missus and little boy, It was quite scary!
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I think you get a space saver (ss) on the R
you definately get a ss with the 18" as I lifted the boot carpet to check on the R I saw at Stockport VW. I assume we'll get an ss with the 19" also?
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i'm still waiting for something from Kent Council when i crunched a wheel (last) winter. they rejected it first time out, then said they'd put it back to the legal team. no word so far.
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(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/flogitg/merwheel.jpg)
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Thanks Snoopy... Meribels are ET48. Do we know what the R wheels are though?
I did read on a German forum the guy had them on his R32. I'd imagine they'd be the same.
I wonder how much they are with a set of winter tyres on them?
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35mm between them and the wheel :shocked:
that's not how it works! the profile is a percentage figure :tongue:
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I was just going to ask the same thing... now we know Snoop is our handy EKTA reference! :wink:
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Its a nightmare trying to get the council to pay for damage caused to wheels / tyres round our way. I had to chase mine for around 9months but they eventually agreed to pay £300+ for damage that cost £400+
In that period of time I was running about with the spare on (steel wheel) and had no spare. Don't know if I could be bothered with the hassle again.
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Thing is they will bodge all the pot holes from this winter & then we can look forward to them all again later in the year.It's a pain trying to watch out for them but if you want the 19'' option i would go for them. :wink:
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If "looks" are what you are after. Go for 19" or even aftermarket 20."
If you are a practical man, go for 18." IMHO. I would go for 18."
In any case I think having an 18" has a lot more advantages than a 19" on a R.
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I've already ordered with the 19" wheels - which I want.
I'm just considering getting a set of winter wheels for the moment - and keeping them on until the pot holes clear up a bit. The winter wheels would come in very useful in another 10 months as we're likely to have bad Winters every year now (according to the weather boffins!)
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A cheaper option to buying new alloys would be to look for some secondhand 17 Monza's or some 17s off a seat leon mk2 or audi A3.
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A cheaper option to buying new alloys would be to look for some secondhand 17 Monza's or some 17s off a seat leon mk2 or audi A3.
I'm not a Monza fan, but I did have a look on eBay and you can get a set of 17" wheels for a GTI for about £300. Cheepies or replicas! The problem is the Winter tyres are all about £120+ each corner.
It seems a shame to change the wheels before driving it - but with the state of the roads at the moment, the 19" Talladega's are going to be in pieces after a few miles :cry:
I was talking to my dealer earlier today - he's going to get me prices for the Meribels. I imagine as they're genuine VW they'll be extortionate though!
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Seriously, calm doon.
19's will be no issue, just drive to avoid the potholes!!! Its not difficult.
Also, all the specs of the R are known so panicing about offset is a bit silly aswell.
If you really must get some other wheels, don't go buying new wheels from the dealer, thats pretty much the most expensive way to do it! Fitting small alloys with winter tyres will also looks unbelievably crap.
Get some secondhand 18" wheels off ebay, refurbed to black to make mint and fit winter tyres.
But by April it won't be an issue.
My rocco R won't be getting its 19's replaced with 'pot hole wheels' or 'winter wheels' :rolleyes:
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just drive to avoid the potholes!!! Its not difficult.
Easier said than done!!!
I drive my missus' BMW avoiding potholes as she has 18's with runflats. If you hit a pothole in them it sends a shock through your body - I think its due to the metal rim in the tyre!
Sometimes its either a pothole or hitting the car coming towards you head on!!
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OK, you've now got your winter tyres on your after market wheels to make it safer to drive. You tell your insurance that you've got new wheels and guess what, they charge you a premium. Why? What happens in Europe then?
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No good for the R guys/girls but the GTI ones these may fit. :evil:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/flogitg/steels.jpg)