GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Tom H on 19 July 2007, 11:26
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OK - I've been looking for new wheels recently, and I like the look of some porsche design 90 wheels that I've found - the PCD I think is correct (although I need to double check that) but they have and offset of 55 on the front and 52.3 on the rear - I've been advised that only an offset of 20-40 will fit, but I don't know what offset means!
Also I've seen these same wheels on Mk2 and Mk3 golfs - so I know they can be made to fit - but does this require major work?
Thanks in advance
Edit: Oh yeah - and they're 16's incase it matters?
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They need hub adaptors which will change the pcd (5x100 to 5x130) and the offset to the correct fitments. try venom etc
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Ahh, excellent stuff! Thanks man.
Only thiung is now what thickness should I go for? I've had a look around and they range from 15mm to 45mm (from what I've seen so far), I'm thinking I shuld go for 15mm as the wheels will already be pleanty wide enough - but am I making a faux pas there?!
Also are these things quite easy to fit? I like the idea of doing a bit of work myself, but my mechanical knowledge leave a little to be desired (as you may have guessed :embarassed:) would I be better off getting a professional to fit them?
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Sure there is a guide to wheel offsets around here somewhere but cant find it!
This is not the true explanation but its something to do with the distance out from the wheel hub.
Mk3 Gti's should have an offset of 35mm
That clears the back of the wheel from the calipers.
So if you have a 20mm offset wheel you will need a 15mm spacer.
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^ Ahh ok, I think I'm kinda with ya - although now I'm wondering how the offset can be too big?
Does that mean that the wheels will be sticking right out of my arches?
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Ah now ya got me coz I think it can be a + or - figure!!!
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Nope, you lost me again! :sad: ha ha
ok I found this
offset is the number in mm from the center of the wheel. so +35 is 35mm towards the outside of the wheel from the center of the wheel. the center of the wheel is 0. -35 is -35mm towards the inside of the wheel (towards the car). the lower the number, the fatter the lip.
but that still doesn't help me much as I don't knwo which I'm being quoted, or how to find out! Sod it - I'll just buy a car with some already on it! :laugh:
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It confuses the heck out of me too!
have bought 3 sets of alloys for my car now, the first had been previously fitted to the same car as mine. The 3rd was brand new and had to have spacers! But thats a whole other story!
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are these what you are after?
Just seen them on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Golf-mk3-wheel-PCD-Hub-adapters-5x100-5x130-Porsche_W0QQitemZ230153563161QQihZ013QQcategoryZ9889QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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thanks man, yeah they're what I need - but I'm still not sure they sort the offset?
I think I might give FK a call as they make the things and see if they can help - thanks for that link though, might save me a few pennies :smiley:
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you should buy that max power modifying manual made by haynes ha sloads good tips in there and explain offsets amongst loads of otherstuff worth the buy
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A negative offset moves the mounting point of the wheel closer to the hub, but moves the rest of the wheel away from it, thus giving the appearance of the wheels being pushed away from the hub. This also caters for "deep dish" wheels to be made. A positive offset does the reverse, giving the appearance of the wheels coming closer to the car and the face of the wheel flush with the wheel edge normally.
I.E>
(http://www.discounttiredirect.com/images/wheel.offset.gif)
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Thanks slick, I think I actualy get it now!
So it's just a matter of making sure I have the right hub adaptor thickness to make the wheel fit between the arch and all the gubbins on the inside....right?! :undecided:
Ahh well, I've fired off an e-mail to some company that sells them, so hopefuly they can tell me for definate what I need to fit them.
Thanks for all the help guys.