GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Ceefeesh on 08 July 2020, 17:24
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Looking for opinions on wheel choice. As you can see below my car is Indium Grey. Originally it had genuine Santiago 19s on it but with no DCC I found these too harsh. I changed to genuine new 18” Miltons. I now would like another change and I am thinking of non genuine Reifnitz 18s in satin gun metal. I am happy with 18s and think the wheel colour could look well / unusual / different. I know Reifnitz aren’t ‘native’ to a GTI, I am ok with that but welcome other views. My other potential choices are replica Santiago 18s or Prets in gun metal, hyper silver or black. I have an opportunity to pick up a set of any of these tomorrow. I would value your opinions. Has anyone done this? If so pictures would be appreciated. I will probably keep the wheels on over the winter. Thanks. :undecided:
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Wheels are a very personal choice, as long as you like them I wouldn't listen too much to anyone who criticises which wheels don't belong on which car and so on. Personally I quite like the Reifnitz.
Just make sure with reps that you are happy with the quality, the weight, the stance and the OEM centre caps potentially not fitting. Oh, and think about letting the insurance company know. :smiley:
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Thanks Guzzle. They are probably coming from CM wheels as I have to pass by them tomorrow. I will have a look. The point about the centre caps is valid, it had gone out of my head. I will definitely be informing my insurance company, as I did when I changed previously. Thanks again I want to get it right. :cool:
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You might also want to think about keeping hold of the Parker's/MK's to put back on when you come to sell or trade in. But the longer you keep the car the less it will matter.
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I intend to keep them. They are pristine. :smiley:
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👍
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Chances are the 18” Reifnitz reps will be 8x18 ET45 so will sit far far better in the arches than the standard 18” OEM wheels.
I reckon it’s a good move personally. Looking forward to seeing the photos.
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Thanks - my instinct is the Reifnitz 18 in satin gunmetal and they are ET45 x 8.
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Go for Prets, but I am biased :wink:
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Thanks I will finally decide when I see them in the metal. I have Chemical Guys Max Coat wheel wax (green) to seal new alloys with before fitting which has worked well. I have thought about changing to a ceramic coating. Again, I would be grateful for suggestions for an alternative.
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Poorboys or Gtechniq c5, I’ve found both to be fantastic. Dirt and brake dust just falls off with a pressure wash
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They are probably coming from CM wheels as I have to pass by them tomorrow. I will have a look...
Out of interest do CM Wheels fit tyres on to their wheels if asked?
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I don’t know but I will ask (Liam) tomorrow, hopefully :grin:
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clarky92. I like Prets but prefer 18s so they will be reps. My neighbour has an R with silver Prets - I wouldn’t want him to think I am copying him. ¡GTIs para mi! :whistle:
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bbs ck or ch-r :smiley:
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I will be advertising some BBS SR wheels later today which are surplus to requirements.
They are 19 inch X 8.5J with offset ET46 finished in Satin Grey.
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Update I have now bought a set of 18” Reifnitz in satin gunmetal which I collected from CM wheels today. Please see the pictures below to get an idea of how they look with Indium Grey. They still need to be protected/coated, shod and balanced so they will not be on right away. I also looked at a set of matt gun metal 18” replica Pretorias which were striking but not for me. They tell me this is the first batch they have had of the gunmetal Pret.
(https://i.postimg.cc/gkZgYjXW/0-C99-B566-E9-D4-44-DE-A0-BB-A65127-A2-C7-D4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zVqC7JFt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RFhjGmPZ/591-EB11-C-3617-46-CB-97-D2-92-AA8-BFA5670.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HcGZsqDq)
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P3ASA to answer your query, they do not fit tyres. I was told that due to shipping costs there would be no saving on tyres that purchasers could obtain locally and most buyers would not buy budget tyres but specify performance tyres. There were certainly no tyres or fitting equipment in the areas I saw.
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Update I have now bought a set of 18” Reifnitz in satin gunmetal which I collected from CM wheels today. Please see the pictures below to get an idea of how they look with Indium Grey. They still need to be protected/coated, shod and balanced so they will not be on right away. I also looked at a set of matt gun metal 18” replica Pretorias which were striking but not for me. They tell me this is the first batch they have had of the gunmetal Pret.
@Ceefeesh - They look really great :cool:. Love the colour, but then I’m slightly biased as my last two sets of wheels have been anthracite grey.
Look forward to seeing them on your car.
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SRGTD. Thank you. I will post but for a variety of reasons likely to be 3 - 4weeks.
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Been looking at Reifnitz rims the last couple of days as well as Prets and Brescias. Been chatting with Davy at Procar over at Carryduff and was trying to decide which to go with. The Reifnitz are winning but did you get to see them diamond cut and also, what put you off the Prets if you don't mind me asking.
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I haven’t seen the Reifnitz diamond cuts, only the type in my picture. Diamond cut will probably look better but likely to be more expensive to buy and refurbish if damaged. I see these Reifnitz style wheels as my second/winter set and they weren’t expensive. I don’t think there would be much difference per wheel between getting one refurbished/ recut and replacing one of the wheels I bought, (if you could buy them individually). I paid £410 for the rims as I collected them and I think the Prets are a similar price. The replica Pretorias in gun metal looked really well and I was tempted but there are quite a few cars with Prets and I preferred something a bit different. If Prets are your choice the gun metal looked fantastic and would probably contrast well with the colour of your car. Hope this helps.
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The Reifnitz are winning but did you get to see them diamond cut
I personally would never choose a diamond cut option over a powder coated / painted finish for the following reasons;
- Poor durability of the diamond cut finish compared to a powder coated / painted finish that’s likely to succumb to white worm corrosion, especially during winter months.
- Cost of refurbishing diamond cut wheels is more expensive than that alloys with a painted / powder coated finish. Due to the refurbishment process, diamond cut alloys can usually only be refurbished a maximum of two times - more than that, and their structural integrity can be compromised.
- The diamond cut finish is is easily damaged by poorly maintained tyre fitting equipment and inexperienced tyre fitters.
Of the four options available for the 18” Reifnitz replicas from CM Wheels, my order of preference would be;
1. Satin gun metal
2. Satin black
3. Gloss black
4. Gloss black machined / diamond cut.
In reality though, there’d only be three choices on my list.......
At the end of the day we’re all different, as are our likes and dislikes which is a good thing, and the above is just my opinion.
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How much does the rep Reifnitz weigh?
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P3ASA to answer your query, they do not fit tyres. I was told that due to shipping costs there would be no saving on tyres that purchasers could obtain locally and most buyers would not buy budget tyres but specify performance tyres. There was certainly no tyres or fitting equipment in the areas I saw.
Thanks for asking.
Thats a shame as I get paranoid when having tyres fitted that the tyre fitter will nick the wheel with their wrench and I'd imagine a company supplying wheels would be ultra careful when fitting the tyres.
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P3ASA to answer your query, they do not fit tyres. I was told that due to shipping costs there would be no saving on tyres that purchasers could obtain locally and most buyers would not buy budget tyres but specify performance tyres. There was certainly no tyres or fitting equipment in the areas I saw.
Thanks for asking.
Thats a shame as I get paranoid when having tyres fitted that the tyre fitter will nick the wheel with their wrench and I'd imagine a company supplying wheels would be ultra careful when fitting the tyres.
I've just had four tyres removed and new ones fitted at Costco in Gateshead. No marks at all and they spent a good half hour taking pictures before starting.
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I haven’t seen the Reifnitz diamond cuts, only the type in my picture. Diamond cut will probably look better but likely to be more expensive to buy and refurbish if damaged. I see these Reifnitz style wheels as my second/winter set and they weren’t expensive. I don’t think there would be much difference per wheel between getting one refurbished/ recut and replacing one of the wheels I bought, (if you could buy them individually). I paid £410 for the rims as I collected them and I think the Prets are a similar price. The replica Pretorias in gun metal looked really well and I was tempted but there are a lot of them around and I preferred something a bit different. If Prets are your choice the gun metal looked fantastic and would probably contrast well with the colour of your car. Hope this helps.
Yes buddy this helps and I appreciate the reply. I might bite the bullet and take a run over to CM to look at the choices in person, just need to speak to them and plan a day trip up to them.
I agree with that looks over lastability of the diamond cuts and that's my worry. The trade off is that I might sell the car next summer. Who knows lol. Gun metal Prets are stunning as you say but again, I think the Reifnitz suit the styling a little better. Thanks for your thoughts buddy.
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The Reifnitz are winning but did you get to see them diamond cut
I personally would never choose a diamond cut option over a powder coated / painted finish for the following reasons;
- Poor durability of the diamond cut finish compared to a powder coated / painted finish that’s likely to succumb to white worm corrosion, especially during winter months.
- Cost of refurbishing diamond cut wheels is more expensive than that alloys with a painted / powder coated finish. Due to the refurbishment process, diamond cut alloys can usually only be refurbished a maximum of two times - more than that, and their structural integrity can be compromised.
- The diamond cut finish is is easily damaged by poorly maintained tyre fitting equipment and inexperienced tyre fitters.
Of the four options available for the 18” Reifnitz replicas from CM Wheels, my order of preference would be;
1. Satin gun metal
2. Satin black
3. Gloss black
4. Gloss black machined / diamond cut.
In reality though, there’d only be three choices on my list.......
At the end of the day we’re all different, as are our likes and dislikes which is a good thing, and the above is just my opinion.
Absolutely appreciate your opinion too and it makes sense what you say. It's a nice problem to have in terms of making such decisions and if I only keep the car until next summer and get the diamond cut ones and ensure they are well sealed etc, I might take a chance purely for aesthetics but definitely good points to consider.
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Absolutely appreciate your opinion too and it makes sense what you say. It's a nice problem to have in terms of making such decisions and if I only keep the car until next summer and get the diamond cut ones and ensure they are well sealed etc, I might take a chance purely for aesthetics but definitely good points to consider.
I tend to keep my cars 4-5 years, so the likelihood of being able to keep a set of diamond cut wheels looking factory fresh for that period of time is nigh on impossible, taking into account tyre changes and winter road conditions. My previous car had diamond cut alloys and in spite of them being cleaned every 7-10 days and regularly sealed and waxed, and any stone chips attended to pretty much as soon as they happened, two of the wheels succumbed to white worm corrosion around the centre caps at two and a half years old. I put the onset of white worm down to poor / insufficient lacquer coverage around the edge of the wheel’s centre bore which would’ve been hidden by the edge of the centre cap. If I’d levered out the centre caps from the front of the wheel (which I wouldn’t do) and damaged the lacquer coating in the process I could understand it, but I’d never removed the centre caps from the wheels, nor had they been removed by tyre fitters as the car still had the original tyres on.
My current car had diamond cut wheels when I took delivery and those wheels were changed after about 3 months of ownership for a more durable set of anthracite powder coated / painted wheels. Four years later, they still look pretty much like new - something I doubt I could claim if I’d left the diamond cut wheels on.
I agree that diamond cut wheels do have great ‘bling’ appeal, so from an aesthetic point of view will appeal to many. Also the durability of a set of new diamond cut wheels ought to be OK until next summer, although if you need new tyres or puncture repairs during that time, I’d recommend you choose your tyre fitters wisely! :smiley:
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..............and they spent a good half hour taking pictures before starting.
So that's why the wait is always so long :grin:
Yeah I must admit Ive used Costco the last 2 times and been impressed although they haven't taken pictures before.
My only gripe was when my wife's car got a puncture repair from them they left the plug sticking out about 5mm from the tyre. I noticed when putting it in the car so took it back and they said it was the normal practice and would wear down which it did 6 months later!!
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..............and they spent a good half hour taking pictures before starting.
So that's why the wait is always so long :grin:
Yeah I must admit Ive used Costco the last 2 times and been impressed although they haven't taken pictures before.
My only gripe was when my wife's car got a puncture repair from them they left the plug sticking out about 5mm from the tyre. I noticed when putting it in the car so took it back and they said it was the normal practice and would wear down which it did 6 months later!!
I would've trimmed that plug with careful use of a Stanley blade or hack saw to get it to within 1mm of flush.
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Absolutely appreciate your opinion too and it makes sense what you say. It's a nice problem to have in terms of making such decisions and if I only keep the car until next summer and get the diamond cut ones and ensure they are well sealed etc, I might take a chance purely for aesthetics but definitely good points to consider.
I tend to keep my cars 4-5 years, so the likelihood of being able to keep a set of diamond cut wheels looking factory fresh for that period of time is nigh on impossible, taking into account tyre changes and winter road conditions. My previous car had diamond cut alloys and in spite of them being cleaned every 7-10 days and regularly sealed and waxed, and any stone chips attended to pretty much as soon as they happened, two of the wheels succumbed to white worm corrosion around the centre caps at two and a half years old. I put the onset of white worm down to poor / insufficient lacquer coverage around the edge of the wheel’s centre bore which would’ve been hidden by the edge of the centre cap. If I’d levered out the centre caps from the front of the wheel (which I wouldn’t do) and damaged the lacquer coating in the process I could understand it, but I’d never removed the centre caps from the wheels, nor had they been removed by tyre fitters as the car still had the original tyres on.
My current car had diamond cut wheels when I took delivery and those wheels were changed after about 3 months of ownership for a more durable set of anthracite powder coated / painted wheels. Four years later, they still look pretty much like new - something I doubt I could claim if I’d left the diamond cut wheels on.
I agree that diamond cut wheels do have great ‘bling’ appeal, so from an aesthetic point of view will appeal to many. Also the durability of a set of new diamond cut wheels ought to be OK until next summer, although if you need new tyres or puncture repairs during that time, I’d recommend you choose your tyre fitters wisely! :smiley:
Yeah that is the worry- no matter how much care is taken it'll still happen inevitably. That's why I am thinking gunmetal grey Prets to be safe but like I say, still unsure just now. Thankfully I'm mates with the boss of my local tyre fitter so I'm well looked after.
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Just make sure with reps...the OEM centre caps potentially not fitting.
Centre caps are 56mm and I have ordered stickers to cover the blank caps on the wheels. I’ll decide whether to use them after I see them. Are there other solutions? Polo centre caps? The wheels also needed spigot rings which CM kindly provided. :smiley:
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Polo centre caps might fit, but genuine ones are not cheap.
eBay specials are cheaper but be wary about quality. I bought some for my Octavia wheels. Even though at 56mm they should have been a good fit, the cheap brittle plastic meant the lugs didn't bend properly and the first two broke trying to get them in the centre hole. Threw the remaining two away.
TBH, i'd go with the stickers if they're reasonable quality and look ok. Just give the caps a good clean before you put the stickers on.
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How much does the rep Reifnitz weigh?
Hi I looked at the box of the wheel which gives some info about them but not the weight. Currently I have them in a lock up but will go and weigh one in the next few days. They don’t seem too heavy to me from my memory of the weight of the Santiagos and Miltons but it will be interesting.
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How much does the rep Reifnitz weigh?
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Hi I looked at the box of the wheel which gives some info about them but not the weight (see below). Currently I have them in a lock up but will go and weigh one in the next few days. They don’t seem too heavy to me from my memory of the weight of the Santiagos and Miltons but it will be interesting.
(https://i.postimg.cc/brNK7c2t/124-F66-B0-3803-4-F4-F-8-F44-E345556181-BE.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I take it they've given you spigot rings? Centre bore is 57.1 and yours say 66.56.
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Yes, CM raised it and they literally threw them in (to the box). :smiley:
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Yes, CM raised it and they literally threw them in (to the box). :smiley:
👍👍
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In prep for fitting, any experience or preference for plastic or aluminium alloy spigot rings? Has anyone had a good or bad experience? I was given plastic and wonder if alloy might be better. I have done some reading and it seems both are widely used and are available in the size I need, 66.6 to 57.1.
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In prep for fitting, any experience or preference for plastic or aluminium alloy spigot rings? Has anyone had a good or bad experience? I was given plastic and wonder if alloy might be better. I have done some reading and it seems both are widely used and are available in the size I need, 66.6 to 57.1.
I’d use the plastic ones that’ve been supplied. I’ve read that the alloy ones can corrode onto the hubs whereas this won’t happen with the plastic ones.
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In prep for fitting, any experience or preference for plastic or aluminium alloy spigot rings? Has anyone had a good or bad experience? I was given plastic and wonder if alloy might be better. I have done some reading and it seems both are widely used and are available in the size I need, 66.6 to 57.1.
Found this and it seems to make sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs5s6omtHFo
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@SRGTD 👍
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Update I have now bought a set of 18” Reifnitz in satin gunmetal which I collected from CM wheels today. Please see the pictures below to get an idea of how they look with Indium Grey. They still need to be protected/coated, shod and balanced so they will not be on right away. I also looked at a set of matt gun metal 18” replica Pretorias which were striking but not for me. They tell me this is the first batch they have had of the gunmetal Pret.
(https://i.postimg.cc/gkZgYjXW/0-C99-B566-E9-D4-44-DE-A0-BB-A65127-A2-C7-D4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zVqC7JFt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RFhjGmPZ/591-EB11-C-3617-46-CB-97-D2-92-AA8-BFA5670.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HcGZsqDq)
They look great. I'd be getting those wrapped in some decent rubber and leaving the S001s on the Parkers!
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Nice looking rims. I'm always looking at wheels as get bored very quickly. Tbh it's only due to lockdown I think the 18" BBS SR's I bought earlier in the year have lasted so long :grin:
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Now for tyres! Current rims are genuine VW Milton Keynes 18 x 7.5j with Bridgestone Potenza 225 x 40 x18. Some sites suggest this is close to the maximum width (235) for the rims. The Bridgestones have only done about 2,500 miles. My new Reifnitz reps are 18x 8J ET45. I believe these can take either 225 or 235. Is there a big difference / benefit switching to 235s? I am considering PS4s or Goodyear Eagle F1s. I have looked at prices which for 225s work out between £330 and £380. 235s are between £400 and £515. Includes fitting and balancing. Advice or suggestions (polite), please! :grin: As these are the second set of wheels, alternatively, is it worth considering winter tyres? If so what?
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You’ll be fine going to 235’s on the new rims.
If you are planning to keep the originals as winters/spares then makes sense to swap the current Bridgestone’s to the new rims and buy done winters for the old rims.
If you’re happy having both on non winters then go to 235’s in PS4s or the F1’s.
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Looking at tyres. Could swap the current Potenza S100s on to the Reifnitz. I have looked at 235 v 225 on some wheel/tyre comparison sites. Seems to be little difference. I accept the width is 8mm up and the sites show me the 235s are 4mm higher on the side wall but there seems to be no other difference in any of the other measurements. I have given the correct offset for the rims. Has anyone made this change and if so have there been benefits or problems? I have looked at the sites suggested in other posts from a previous thread by McMaddy and others and currently I am thinking of Goodyear F1 Assymetric 5s. 225 X 40 X18 are around £315 and 235 are around £400. Thoughts please.
(https://i.postimg.cc/kGmCYDFn/A882805-D-475-E-4132-9070-91900-A4-A06-E5.png) (https://postimg.cc/r0Q7KVPb)
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More rubber, more unsprung weight. More unsprung weight makes the car less pointy.
Looking at it like that, 225 sounds sensible no?
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I tend to agree with you. Small performance/aesthetic margins, more weight. I think I read somewhere the weight difference between the 225 and 235s are a couple of kilos per tyre. Also slight increase in cost. If you are relying on 8 - 10mm for more grip, you’re going/cornering too fast. I think I might be agonising over not much. :huh: The rims are 8J and both 225 and 235 are cited as optimal for this width of rim.
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225's for me, simply because they are a more common size and therefore cheaper.
I find it hard to believe that there is over 1kg difference in weight between a 225 and 235 tyre tho'.
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You are probably right. I tried to find where I read it and couldn’t. I think it may have been the difference between an 18 and a 19 Inch tyre. Oops. :embarrassed:
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How much does the rep Reifnitz weigh?
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If my suitcase scales are correct and I am not convinced of it, one wheel weighed 10.8 kilos (24lbs)! Could that be right? :rolleyes:
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How much does the rep Reifnitz weigh?
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If my suitcase scales are correct and I am not convinced of it, one wheel weighed 10.8 kilos (24lbs)! Could that be right? :rolleyes:
could be right 👍
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Anyone with 235 40 18 tyres fitted on 8j rims have problems with clearance on the front of a 7.5? I am finally about to put tyres on and a reputable/ knowledgable fitter told me there would be clearance problems. I thought they should be fine.