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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Exonian on 11 July 2013, 13:54

Title: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Exonian on 11 July 2013, 13:54
General question for all mk7 owners on here whether GT, GTI, GTD or whatever.

Ignoring the 'purists' who say changing the alloy wheels will detract from the car (I can see that argument too, especially if you're leasing the car or it's a company car and can't anyway).

Now I've been messing about with GTIs since the mid eighties and a set of nice wheels that add to the look of the GTI rather than take it away have always been part of many GTI owners psyche, (particularly BBS wheels) and there has been a whole industry built up around modifying GTIs since the very early days.

But VW have diluted the GTI 'brand' and look on and off over the years (who remembers the tame but sporty looking mk1 Driver?) so there are many models now that appeal to keen drivers and VW enthusiasts alike.

I've got a long history of changing the wheels on my cars (I had no less than seven sets for my last mk6!!) and it's just expected of me from my friends, colleagues and family!

So, who's planning on changing their wheels and what takes your fancy?



I'll get the ball rolling and say I'm going to keep the Austins on my car for a while until the novelty wears off.
I've got my BBS CKs from my mk6 (which also spent time on my last mk6) which are still mint and have hardly worn tyres which will go on the car to see how they look in the flesh (CKs look sooooo much better in the flesh than they do in photos as they're a 3D design) but am swaying towards a set of CVR 105 alloys for clean looks (standard wheel nut covers fit in the bolt holes ok so they can be kept looking fairly OEM which I like) and easy to clean nature meaning the calipers can be kept clean easily.

My CK's

(http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o560/Exonian22/CA90AB3C-9FD7-4EDC-9504-DB2522F2E952-13575-0000041E54D15859.jpg) (http://s1147.photobucket.com/user/Exonian22/media/CA90AB3C-9FD7-4EDC-9504-DB2522F2E952-13575-0000041E54D15859.jpg.html)
(http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o560/Exonian22/IMG_0078.jpg) (http://s1147.photobucket.com/user/Exonian22/media/IMG_0078.jpg.html)

CVR 105 follow link:

http://www.rimstyle.com/alloywheels/wheel/?wheel=cvr_105_ss
 
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: matchboy on 11 July 2013, 13:56
I will be keeping the standard ones, given the fact I've paid nearly a grand for them you can understand why!  :laugh:
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: JoeGTI on 11 July 2013, 14:00
I love the CK's Exonian, if I was ever to change, I'd go that route or perhaps CH's.

I quite like the Austins but I'm wary they'll inevitably suffer the dreaded whiteworm. The Monzas on my MKV were a mess when I traded it in, despite me minding them as carefully as possible. Once started, there was no stopping it. The Vancouvers on my MK6 GTD never got any whiteworm, even though some of the spokes on those wheels were also polished like the Monzas.

Were the MK6 Shadows as bad for it as the MKV?
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Exonian on 11 July 2013, 14:01
I will be keeping the standard ones, given the fact I've paid nearly a grand for them you can understand why!  :laugh:
Yep, you're definitely forgiven!
I was sooooo tempted to go for that option too but as I already have a set of 19s in mint condition and the fact it was a £900 option not a £600 then I had to resist.
Still not sure whether I did the right thing.
A set of Santiagos with 10mm spacers and  :cool: :cool:
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Exonian on 11 July 2013, 14:02
I love the CK's Exonian, if I was ever to change, I'd go that route or perhaps CH's.

I quite like the Austins but I'm wary they'll inevitably suffer the dreaded whiteworm. The Monzas on my MKV were a mess when I traded it in, despite me minding them as carefully as possible. Once started, there was no stopping it. The Vancouvers on my MK6 GTD never got any whiteworm, even though some of the spokes on those wheels were also polished like the Monzas.

Were the MK6 Shadows as bad for it as the MKV?

Yes, the Shadows were awful for it too.
The Austins no doubt will be riddled with it after a winter or two  :sad:
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: matchboy on 11 July 2013, 14:11
I will be keeping the standard ones, given the fact I've paid nearly a grand for them you can understand why!  :laugh:
Yep, you're definitely forgiven!
I was sooooo tempted to go for that option too but as I already have a set of 19s in mint condition and the fact it was a £900 option not a £600 then I had to resist.
Still not sure whether I did the right thing.
A set of Santiagos with 10mm spacers and  :cool: :cool:

Yeah no point in wasting money if you have a set of 19s waiting to go!  I look forward to seeing the pics of those on the car!
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Exonian on 11 July 2013, 14:16
If it ever arrives  :sad:
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Bill_the_Bear on 11 July 2013, 14:20
Those CVRs look good, but I do find that a lot of wheels seem to feel like they're all just a minor variation on one another.  What I like about the Austins is that the lines aren't all pointing towards the rim.  Same is good on the Santiagos and even better really because I really like the angular boxy shapes over curves which have been done so much now.

Anyone recommend anything along the lines of the Santiagos.  Would be interested to see what options are out there.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: KyleB on 11 July 2013, 14:26
I really like the standard GTD wheels so can't see me changing them to be honest.  Will probably get them refurbed in black once i get bored of them or they get kerbed though.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Gryzor on 11 July 2013, 14:50
I will be keeping the standard ones, given the fact I've paid nearly a grand for them you can understand why!  :laugh:

Technically you've already foregone the standard ones and gone non-standard 19" right off the bat! ;)
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: matchboy on 11 July 2013, 15:03
I will be keeping the standard ones, given the fact I've paid nearly a grand for them you can understand why!  :laugh:

Technically you've already foregone the standard ones and gone non-standard 19" right off the bat! ;)

Yeah that's what I should have put!  I really like the 18s, but they look just like the Monza's and I've had 2 cars with them on so I fancied a change (and bigger rims  :evil:)
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Hawaii-Five-O on 11 July 2013, 15:16

I quite like the Austins but I'm wary they'll inevitably suffer the dreaded whiteworm. The Monzas on my MKV were a mess when I traded it in, despite me minding them as carefully as possible. Once started, there was no stopping it. The Vancouvers on my MK6 GTD never got any whiteworm, even though some of the spokes on those wheels were also polished like the Monzas.

Were the MK6 Shadows as bad for it as the MKV?

Very disappointing to hear this! Do you think the new Austin alloys will be exactly the same? Even with careful waxing and sealing etc?

My 18" Interlagos on my Scirocco are virtually perfect after 4 years. No whiteworm in sight thank god. However my previous GT TDI got whiteworm bad. Hated it!

Back to OP. I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to upgrade the alloys on my GTI once it arrives. Just love the look of the standard Austin's and Nogaro's on the GTD.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Gryzor on 11 July 2013, 15:22
Yeah that's what I should have put!  I really like the 18s, but they look just like the Monza's and I've had 2 cars with them on so I fancied a change (and bigger rims  :evil:)

Yup, I hear ya' on the old fancying a change (and bigger rims!)  I really like the 18s too, and they are sufficiently different to the 17" Monzas on my current Mk5, so yeah, very happy!
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: JoeGTI on 11 July 2013, 15:27

I quite like the Austins but I'm wary they'll inevitably suffer the dreaded whiteworm. The Monzas on my MKV were a mess when I traded it in, despite me minding them as carefully as possible. Once started, there was no stopping it. The Vancouvers on my MK6 GTD never got any whiteworm, even though some of the spokes on those wheels were also polished like the Monzas.

Were the MK6 Shadows as bad for it as the MKV?

Very disappointing to hear this! Do you think the new Austin alloys will be exactly the same? Even with careful waxing and sealing etc?


I think they will be yes, unfortunately. VW have been fitting these types of diamond cut wheels to cars for many years now and the same corrosion problems happen to them all. Actually a lot of other manufacturers do likewise, its not just VW.

Waxing, sealing, etc will help to a very slight extent, but only to the same extent that waxing/sealing preserves your paintwork! A flying stone chip chips the wheel, you mightn't even see  the chip, but eventually water ingress under the lacquer and the wheel looks a mess.

What really messed my MKV GTI wheels up was a tyre change. I didn't see the damage at the time but the tyre fitter obviously nicked the very edges of my wheels when changing the tyres. No marks were visible but a few months later the problem was very obvious  :sad:

Some people got wheels replaced under warranty, my car was out of warranty by the time I bothered reporting it.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Gryzor on 11 July 2013, 15:39
My Mk5 GTI wheels are not exactly pristine, but no sign of whitework, and I've had the car 8 years.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: JoeGTI on 11 July 2013, 15:43
My Mk5 GTI wheels are not exactly pristine, but no sign of whitework, and I've had the car 8 years.

You are VERY lucky in that case. A MKV GTI with non-whitewormed original wheels are about as rare as it gets! Take a look in any of the MK5 / MK6 forums and it's probably one of  the most asked questions / reported problems.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Gryzor on 11 July 2013, 16:00
The VW center caps are in worse condition than the alloys themselves!
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: JoeGTI on 11 July 2013, 16:05
The VW center caps are in worse condition than the alloys themselves!

I just noticed from your sig that your 2005 GTI has no options - so it's on the standard 17" alloys? Those are painted silver and therefore don't have the whiteworm issue!

Yes, the centre caps were problematic too as was the rear VW boot badge but VW redesigned both of those in later MKV's.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Running Man on 11 July 2013, 16:10
I love the CK's Exonian, if I was ever to change, I'd go that route or perhaps CH's.

I quite like the Austins but I'm wary they'll inevitably suffer the dreaded whiteworm. The Monzas on my MKV were a mess when I traded it in, despite me minding them as carefully as possible. Once started, there was no stopping it. The Vancouvers on my MK6 GTD never got any whiteworm, even though some of the spokes on those wheels were also polished like the Monzas.

Were the MK6 Shadows as bad for it as the MKV?

Yes getting whiteworm on all four of my mk 6 shadow monza's, I guess in a couple more years if not replaced they will be bad.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Jimble on 11 July 2013, 17:05
I'd really like a set of 19 CH-R's but i'm not sure if it'll ever happen!? :-\
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: monkeyhanger on 11 July 2013, 17:24
I love the CK's Exonian, if I was ever to change, I'd go that route or perhaps CH's.

I quite like the Austins but I'm wary they'll inevitably suffer the dreaded whiteworm. The Monzas on my MKV were a mess when I traded it in, despite me minding them as carefully as possible. Once started, there was no stopping it. The Vancouvers on my MK6 GTD never got any whiteworm, even though some of the spokes on those wheels were also polished like the Monzas.

Were the MK6 Shadows as bad for it as the MKV?

Yes getting whiteworm on all four of my mk 6 shadow monza's, I guess in a couple more years if not replaced they will be bad.

I thought VW were moving to painted wheels because of this - my MK5 GT's wheels were covered in whiteworm amd replaced under warranty. My Scirocco wheels are factory painted silver. Saying that though, i'm sure the Nogaros were unpainted on teh silver bits.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Jimble on 11 July 2013, 17:36
I love the CK's Exonian, if I was ever to change, I'd go that route or perhaps CH's.

I quite like the Austins but I'm wary they'll inevitably suffer the dreaded whiteworm. The Monzas on my MKV were a mess when I traded it in, despite me minding them as carefully as possible. Once started, there was no stopping it. The Vancouvers on my MK6 GTD never got any whiteworm, even though some of the spokes on those wheels were also polished like the Monzas.

Were the MK6 Shadows as bad for it as the MKV?

Yes getting whiteworm on all four of my mk 6 shadow monza's, I guess in a couple more years if not replaced they will be bad.

I thought VW were moving to painted wheels because of this - my MK5 GT's wheels were covered in whiteworm amd replaced under warranty. My Scirocco wheels are factory painted silver. Saying that though, i'm sure the Nogaros were unpainted on teh silver bits.


Even the polished faces of VW wheels are lacquered so you can use normal cleaners but this is also where the problems start when moisture gets between the laquer and metal surface. :'(
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: monkeyhanger on 11 July 2013, 17:45
Even the polished faces of VW wheels are lacquered so you can use normal cleaners but this is also where the problems start when moisture gets between the laquer and metal surface. :'(

It must cost VW a fortune in warranty work to replace wheels that are only cosmetically affected, more than painting them in reflex silver and then a coat of lacquer rather than just lacquer. Sometimes they kow what is wrong and won't do a thing to improve it - all of my foil badges on the MK5 corroded too (tailgate opener and wheel centres).
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Bill_the_Bear on 11 July 2013, 17:50
I thought I'd read that even if painted they can still get affected.  For example a stone strike causes small imperceptible damage and then moisture works its way under the paint.  Or is this bollocks?
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: monkeyhanger on 11 July 2013, 17:57
I thought I'd read that even if painted they can still get affected.  For example a stone strike causes small imperceptible damage and then moisture works its way under the paint.  Or is this nuts?

It's cosmetic whitening only. Under a silver paint job it won't be seen, but under clear lacquer you see the "whiteworm" discolouration spread throughout the wheel. Can give the white bird sh!te spattered look.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: MEZZA22 on 11 July 2013, 18:43
I know I will be in a very small minority here,but I wish VW UK would offer the 17" Brooklyn wheels that are standard
in Germany/Ireland etc as a no cost option- I know most people will prefer the looks of the bigger 18",although if you look at the post earlier this week "video of some driving",they didn't look too bad on the black car (still a similar axe head design)but the main benefits as I know having had 17" monzas on my MK5 & MK6 GTi's are better ride (45 profile tyres instead of 40) and therefore less chance of wheel/tyre damage from potholes/kerbs/speed humps etc,plus not much chance of the whiteworm due to the painted silver and laquer finish.
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: CraigW on 12 July 2013, 13:41
Didn't think it warranted a new thread but interesting developments being made already for the Mk7

 http://www.easier.com/116125-eibach-chassis-solutions-for-new-vw-golf-vii-gti.html
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Gordor on 12 July 2013, 21:09
Yep, on your own  MEZZA22  :wink:
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Hobojim on 13 July 2013, 09:53
I know I will be in a very small minority here,but I wish VW UK would offer the 17" Brooklyn wheels that are standard
in Germany/Ireland etc as a no cost option- I know most people will prefer the looks of the bigger 18",although if you look at the post earlier this week "video of some driving",they didn't look too bad on the black car (still a similar axe head design)but the main benefits as I know having had 17" monzas on my MK5 & MK6 GTi's are better ride (45 profile tyres instead of 40) and therefore less chance of wheel/tyre damage from potholes/kerbs/speed humps etc,plus not much chance of the whiteworm due to the painted silver and laquer finish.

I am with you on the Brooklyns Mezza22, i think they look the dogs dangles. I'm going to try and get a set for my winter wheels. I'm assuming that because they offer them they will fit over the PP discs and callipers !?
 
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Bill_the_Bear on 13 July 2013, 11:17
Might want to check they fit over the PP callipers. I think there was a discussion on it before but can't remember what was decided.

EDIT:
Jim actually started the topic, but for others that might have missed it here is the winter tyre vs PP calliper discussion http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=255149.msg2340817#msg2340817
Title: Re: So who's not going to keep the standard alloys on their mk7?
Post by: Lagerlout on 15 July 2013, 18:49
If I decide to mod the car at some point, I quite like these bad boys. Not sure what they'd look like on a GTI have no PS skills..  :whistle:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img690/1883/2kqb.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/690/2kqb.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img811/5110/gz7o.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/gz7o.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img845/2627/yecc.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/yecc.jpg/)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img28/5609/m23i.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/m23i.jpg/)