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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Oilslick on 27 October 2019, 21:44

Title: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Oilslick on 27 October 2019, 21:44
Hi all,
I have a 2013 gti, currently on 18” Austin’s - looking at a used set of 19” Pretoria’s tomorrow - is somebody able to advise if these are a direct fit? Or is there anything that addition that needs to be done - my conxern would be that the speedo may be out due to the wheel diameter change?

Regards

Chris
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Guzzle on 27 October 2019, 21:58
Speedo will under read very very slightly. Less than 1mph at 60mph.

https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&aspect=40&diameter=18&wheelwidth=7.5&offset=51&width2=235&aspect2=35&wheel_size=19&wheel_width=8&offset2=50

Just make sure you fit the correct profile tyres, 235/35/19.
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Exonian on 27 October 2019, 22:36
What Guzzle says ^^^

Plus they’re very prone to bends and buckles so check them carefully.
Oh, and make sure they’re genuine!

Other than that they’re a direct fit, same bolts and caps etc. 
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Oilslick on 28 October 2019, 10:13
Maybe a stupid question, but how do I check they are genuine and non buckled whilst viewing? Tia
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Exonian on 28 October 2019, 10:30
Genuine will have VW part numbers on the back, they’ll be ET50 which will be stamped on them and are usually a unique blue/grey in colour. Some are gloss black and they’ll be harder to differentiate.
I can’t remember exactly now but think they’re made by Borbet for VW but memory tells me some might have been contracted to BBS. That’ll be stamped on the inside faces too.
Not many replicas will take the original centre caps and some won’t take original bolts and bolt covers either.

Running your eye around the circumference of the rim of the wheel inside and out should spot the worst of kinks, checking them thoroughly for any signs of cracking too. They are fragile wheels.
More minor buckles will generally only be spotted by putting the wheel on a balancing machine and spinning it. If they’re that minor they’ll easily be straightened but it’ll cost you!




Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Ryan90GTI on 28 October 2019, 10:33
This was the main reason I didn't go for Pretoria's, I absolutely love how they look but there was no way I was paying over a thousand pounds for wheels made of chocolate. I've bought wheels in the past that aren't straight which is why I'm very wary when buying secondhand, the only way to check them is to get them on a balancing machine. To check they are genuine lookout for the VW part number.

Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Exonian on 28 October 2019, 10:56
If I was buying a set now I’d go straight to CM Wheels and get a set their replicas.

Here’s what should be stamped on the back of real ones btw, handily this horror story is a current thread.
Caveat emptor

https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/33973-snapped-pretoria-spokes/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-510683
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: fredgroves on 28 October 2019, 11:09
Is there not a chance that some faker replicated the stamps too?

I mean VW prets are real expensive, lots of chances to fake here and those clever Chinamen can visibly replicate anything cheaply
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 28 October 2019, 11:12
If I was buying a set now I’d go straight to CM Wheels and get a set their replicas.

Here’s what should be stamped on the back of real ones btw, handily this horror story is a current thread.
Caveat emptor

https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/33973-snapped-pretoria-spokes/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-510683

That R owner doesn't have a leg to stand on, unfortunately...  :sad:
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: jaceyboy on 28 October 2019, 16:04
I bought Pretoria reps for our 2014 GTi, went for CM Wheels as the genuine ones buckle easy and as above make sure you fit 235 tyres

(https://i.ibb.co/DgxYhqb/20180601-115303986-i-OS.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8HB9W0)
(https://i.ibb.co/myvwYFw/20180601-115326865-i-OS.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gWvpXFp)
(https://i.ibb.co/wpGyCv4/20180601-115337735-i-OS.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TPjcRCt)
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Oilslick on 29 October 2019, 18:07
Picked them up just, £650 with decent sport max tyres all round. Couldn’t see any cracks and all had very stamps insde, so feel pretty happy.
Came off a golf r estate, so seemed to be genuine.

They have two small kerbs and one chip - is there a touch up paint I can get for them?

Also, will be fitting at the wknd - the guy said he wasn’t sure which ones came off the front - does it matter which I put on the front as all are 235’s?

Tia
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: king monkey on 29 October 2019, 19:17
I believe that this is the paint for Prets.

https://www.wheelpaints.co.uk/CAR-MANUFACTURERS-COLOURS/Car-Manufacturers-Colours/Car-Manufacturers-Colours-Q-Z/Volvo/GOLF-R-BLUE-CHROME-24-00-91.html
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: sjw on 30 October 2019, 11:32
I bought Pretoria reps for our 2014 GTi, went for CM Wheels as the genuine ones buckle easy and as above make sure you fit 235 tyres

(https://i.ibb.co/DgxYhqb/20180601-115303986-i-OS.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8HB9W0)
(https://i.ibb.co/myvwYFw/20180601-115326865-i-OS.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gWvpXFp)
(https://i.ibb.co/wpGyCv4/20180601-115337735-i-OS.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TPjcRCt)

What colour are they? They're lovely
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: jaceyboy on 30 October 2019, 13:49
They are gun metal
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Exonian on 30 October 2019, 14:41
Picked them up just, £650 with decent sport max tyres all round. Couldn’t see any cracks and all had very stamps insde, so feel pretty happy.
Came off a golf r estate, so seemed to be genuine.

They have two small kerbs and one chip - is there a touch up paint I can get for them?

Also, will be fitting at the wknd - the guy said he wasn’t sure which ones came off the front - does it matter which I put on the front as all are 235’s?

Tia

That’s a very good price indeed.
What has the guy replaced them with?

I haven’t found any Pretoria touch up paint that actually matches yet so certainly couldn’t recommend any. The paints I’ve tried stand out like a sore thumb so I got a couple refurbed even though they weren’t kerbed, just some stone chips which annoyed me nevertheless. For £650 you could easily factor in refurbishing a couple and still be quids in.

It doesn’t matter what axle they came off. Just match them as close as possible on tread depth per axle (if you’re going to replace them eventually with a different brand then put the best tread on the front and wear them down evenly, replace at around 3mm) then adjust the tyre pressures to suit. 
:afro:
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Brenbo on 30 October 2019, 15:09
I believe that this is the paint for Prets.

https://www.wheelpaints.co.uk/CAR-MANUFACTURERS-COLOURS/Car-Manufacturers-Colours/Car-Manufacturers-Colours-Q-Z/Volvo/GOLF-R-BLUE-CHROME-24-00-91.html

I have a tin of this paint at home and even though I applied as instructed it was not an exact match.  I ended up getting my wheel refurbed at the local wheel specialist SWWR in Exeter who did an excellent job at getting a nigh on perfect match. 
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: king monkey on 30 October 2019, 17:14
I believe that this is the paint for Prets.

https://www.wheelpaints.co.uk/CAR-MANUFACTURERS-COLOURS/Car-Manufacturers-Colours/Car-Manufacturers-Colours-Q-Z/Volvo/GOLF-R-BLUE-CHROME-24-00-91.html

I have a tin of this paint at home and even though I applied as instructed it was not an exact match.  I ended up getting my wheel refurbed at the local wheel specialist SWWR in Exeter who did an excellent job at getting a nigh on perfect match.

Interesting to know. Thanks. For what it costs to refurb an alloy I wouldn’t bother doing it myself tbh.
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Pretzel on 30 October 2019, 17:20
I bought Pretoria reps for our 2014 GTi, went for CM Wheels as the genuine ones buckle easy and as above make sure you fit 235 tyres

Do you have a link for the CM wheels. quite a lot of different ones on their website ?
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 30 October 2019, 18:32
I bought Pretoria reps for our 2014 GTi, went for CM Wheels as the genuine ones buckle easy and as above make sure you fit 235 tyres

Do you have a link for the CM wheels. quite a lot of different ones on their website ?

Easiest way is search for Pretoria in search bar

https://cmwheels.com/product/19-vw-golf-r-pretoria-style-wheels-gloss-gun-metal-vw-audi-5x112/
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Oilslick on 30 October 2019, 19:54
Picked them up just, £650 with decent sport max tyres all round. Couldn’t see any cracks and all had very stamps insde, so feel pretty happy.
Came off a golf r estate, so seemed to be genuine.

They have two small kerbs and one chip - is there a touch up paint I can get for them?

Also, will be fitting at the wknd - the guy said he wasn’t sure which ones came off the front - does it matter which I put on the front as all are 235’s?

Tia

That’s a very good price indeed.
What has the guy replaced them with?

I haven’t found any Pretoria touch up paint that actually matches yet so certainly couldn’t recommend any. The paints I’ve tried stand out like a sore thumb so I got a couple refurbed even though they weren’t kerbed, just some stone chips which annoyed me nevertheless. For £650 you could easily factor in refurbishing a couple and still be quids in.

It doesn’t matter what axle they came off. Just match them as close as possible on tread depth per axle (if you’re going to replace them eventually with a different brand then put the best tread on the front and wear them down evenly, replace at around 3mm) then adjust the tyre pressures to suit. 
:afro:

Yeah thanks, felt a bit too cheap tbh. Was worried they were replicas or damaged etc - can’t see any signs of damage. The guy said the dealer offered him some 20” spider alloys (they were diamond cut and black) so he bought them knowing he could sell the Pretoria’s.
I might just get them reburbed next year - the whole reason I bought them was because my be Austin’s ahave started corroding under the lacquer - I got a quote of £780 for a reburb! So went looking for replacements - I guess the advantage here is that as they aren’t diamond cut should be more like £100pw?
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: barrym381 on 30 October 2019, 20:12
Picked them up just, £650 with decent sport max tyres all round. Couldn’t see any cracks and all had very stamps insde, so feel pretty happy.
Came off a golf r estate, so seemed to be genuine.

They have two small kerbs and one chip - is there a touch up paint I can get for them?

Also, will be fitting at the wknd - the guy said he wasn’t sure which ones came off the front - does it matter which I put on the front as all are 235’s?

Tia

That’s a very good price indeed.
What has the guy replaced them with?

I haven’t found any Pretoria touch up paint that actually matches yet so certainly couldn’t recommend any. The paints I’ve tried stand out like a sore thumb so I got a couple refurbed even though they weren’t kerbed, just some stone chips which annoyed me nevertheless. For £650 you could easily factor in refurbishing a couple and still be quids in.

It doesn’t matter what axle they came off. Just match them as close as possible on tread depth per axle (if you’re going to replace them eventually with a different brand then put the best tread on the front and wear them down evenly, replace at around 3mm) then adjust the tyre pressures to suit. 
:afro:

Yeah thanks, felt a bit too cheap tbh. Was worried they were replicas or damaged etc - can’t see any signs of damage. The guy said the dealer offered him some 20” spider alloys (they were diamond cut and black) so he bought them knowing he could sell the Pretoria’s.
I might just get them reburbed next year - the whole reason I bought them was because my be Austin’s ahave started corroding under the lacquer - I got a quote of £780 for a reburb! So went looking for replacements - I guess the advantage here is that as they aren’t diamond cut should be more like £100pw?
I can get them done for about 200 for 4 wheels any colour you want  :smiley:
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Pretzel on 30 October 2019, 21:22
Quote from: Jim_mk7.5
I bought Pretoria reps for our 2014 GTi, went for CM Wheels as the genuine ones buckle easy and as above make sure you fit 235 tyres [/quote

Do you have a link for the CM wheels. quite a lot of different ones on their website ?

Easiest way is search for Pretoria in search bar

https://cmwheels.com/product/19-vw-golf-r-pretoria-style-wheels-gloss-gun-metal-vw-audi-5x112/
[/quote]

Cheers :smiley:
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Dr Mike Oxgreen on 31 October 2019, 10:59
I hadn't realised that Pretorias had a reputation for being less than robust before I read some of the comments in this thread.  Does this apply to all Pretorias, or just the 19" variety?

I've been teetering on the brink of buying a set of 18" Pretorias to replace the Austins on my GTI, one of which I managed to kerb.  The man-maths behind my plan was that I'll probably need another pair of tyres before the winter, but the pair currently on the rear of my car could be swapped over to the new wheels, so I would only need to buy two new tyres, and although the Austins are easy to keep clean, I've never really liked the look of them, and I think that Pretorias are the best looking of the standard VW wheels for a Mk7 Golf.  And, as they're a standard fit on some Golfs, there's no issue with insurance, as they don't count as a "modification" - I checked this with my insurers.  If (when) I sell the car, it will probably sell easier with Pretorias (because they look better) and I can always defray the cost by selling the Austins.

Does that sound like a plan?
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Pretzel on 31 October 2019, 14:43
Its certainly a plan, and I think one or two people have done something similar.
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Guzzle on 31 October 2019, 15:50
Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike the 18 inch Pretoria's, but I would expect most people looking to buy would prefer to see it with its original wheels.

AFAIK the 18 inch versions are cast, whereas the 19's are flow formed. They should be a bit stronger, and also have more rim protection. Cast wheels can be quite heavy though.
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: jaceyboy on 31 October 2019, 17:53
Buy reps simples they are much stronger...
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Pretzel on 31 October 2019, 18:28
Reps look fine. but is there an issue with insurance cover in the event of an accident?
I appreciate you could and should notify any changes.
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: hobbes22 on 01 November 2019, 06:39
I bought the 18" CM reps to fit some all-season tyres on. I told my insurance, and they just made a note on my policy, and didn't charge any extra.
Title: Re: Retro fit Pretoria’s
Post by: Pretzel on 01 November 2019, 22:11
I bought the 18" CM reps to fit some all-season tyres on. I told my insurance, and they just made a note on my policy, and didn't charge any extra.

Useful....cheers