GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Rob_benton on 28 July 2019, 07:23
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Hi
I need to refurb or replace my Austin alloys.
I’ve seen a few sets of virtually brand new Milton Keynes alloys come for sale.
Are Milton Keynes disliked and owners upgrade their alloys to get rid of them ?
And would Milton Keynes alloys look weird on a mk7 instead of a mk7.5 ?
I can’t decide! Opinions would be appreciated!
Thanks
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I think that there’ll be divided opinions on whether owners with Milton Keynes (or Parker alloys as they’re known in the UK) like them or not. I wasn’t that keen on the design when I first saw them, but don’t mind the design now I’m used to it.
Owners might be selling them for a variety of reasons; e.g. they prefer the aesthetics of the 19” optional alloys for the GTI so want to upgrade to larger wheels, they wanted something aftermarket, they don’t like diamond cut alloys. If I had a mk7.5 GTI with Parker’s, I’d probably also replace them - not because I don’t like the design, but because I don’t like diamond cut alloys. I’d go for something like BBS SR’s in Himalaya Grey, but keep the original Parker’s and put them back on the car when the time came to sell it.
If you’re happy with diamond cut alloys, then I think the Parkers will look fine on a mk7 GTI. Visually, the external changes from mk7 to mk7.5 are quite subtle IMO, and enthusiasts aside, I doubt many people would even realise you’d change them from the original Austin’s.
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You'll probably end up refurbing the Parker's too in the long run, as they're the same diamond cut finish. Just a slightly different design.
Unless the Parker's are going dirt cheap, refurbing your Austin's would save you some money. If you had your Austin's powder coated you'd probably save even more money, and they wouldn't fail like a diamond cut finish.
Decisions about wheels are often based on emotion. What you love the next person may hate, and vice versa. I quite like the Parker's, but I know there are lots of members on here that think the opposite.
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What others think of them is irrelevant, it's your car and your money, do what pleases you. Don't you like the Austins? If it were me I'd get a quality refurb done and keep the car original.
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Wheels are definitely subjective. For me, the GTD got the best looking standard 18" wheels. I rarely dip into options, yet felt obliged to pay out for Pretoria wheels on my Rbexause I felt so strongly that the standard Cadiz wheels were pig ugly. It must be a general consensus though, because in the used market, an R on Pretorias is worth a grand more than an R on Cadiz.
Not a fan of the Parkers myself. For the 2 Polo GTIswe bought over the past year, I again felt strongly about upgrading from Parkers to Brescia - cheaper to do with a new car build as you're paying the difference rather than buying a second set.
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There’s a lot of hate for the Parker/Milton Keynes wheels.
I quite like them, they’re sort of the love child of an Austin and a mid 70’s Porsche 911 alloy wheel.
They look a bit small and inset from some angles.
Maybe just get the Austins refurbished in plain silver (which was the standard colour for the 17” versions which were specified for some markets) making them more resistant to future corrosion and easier to repair should you clip a kerb.
Or shadow chrome.
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I don't mind them at all (on my 2nd one with them on!) but I do think to add later wheels to an older car is a great way of making it look fresher whilst keeping it OEM.