Monza OR Monza Shadow alloys?

[BA Baracus]

I thought that was an easy one to answer - Monza Shadow, until I saw a BLACK GTI with the standard wheels and they looked damn fine!

Mulling over getting a WHITE GTI with the Monza Shadow which I think work great together - white paint and black wheels contrast brilliantly! 

But then I have seen videos of RED GTIs and I think they look better with standard wheels!!!

Hmmm, looks like the choice of alloy comes down to which bodywork colour I choose.

[Snoopy]

I know from experience the answer in here will be 99% to the monza shadows.

The problem i have with the monza shadows is due to there design been a polished/lac finish they can get whats called white worm as the lac lifts due to weather and temp differences, or stone damage, marking due to kerb etc etc, This gradually lifts the lac.
Quite a few people suffer this badly in the mk5s with the monza II's. this corrosion is covered by warrenty but if your happy keep getting them replaced every 2 years or getting them referbed after that then fine i just could not put up with the hassle AGAIN of keep getting it done. Give me a painted or powder coated wheel anyday over the hassle and looks of a polished/lac wheel.



I guess it comes down to looks+hassle or function.

[Rolfe]

I know most people here prefer the Monza Shadows, but hey!

I just don't get off that much on looking at my car's wheels
I can't see them at all when I'm driving it
Neither can anybody else, as they're going round
The whole white worm thing
It's not a performance issue - the 17s are every bit as fast
The 17s allegedly give a slightly smoother ride

Are they worth an extra £400 or so?

Only you can say, but I repeat, I just don't get off that much on looking at my car's wheels while it's sitting in my driveway.

Rolfe.

[R32UK]

17" are faster

[simonpolly]

I know from experience the answer in here will be 99% to the monza shadows.

The problem i have with the monza shadows is due to there design been a polished/lac finish they can get whats called white worm as the lac lifts due to weather and temp differences, or stone damage, marking due to kerb etc etc, This gradually lifts the lac.
Quite a few people suffer this badly in the mk5s with the monza II's. this corrosion is covered by warrenty but if your happy keep getting them replaced every 2 years or getting them referbed after that then fine i just could not put up with the hassle AGAIN of keep getting it done. Give me a painted or powder coated wheel anyday over the hassle and looks of a polished/lac wheel.



I guess it comes down to looks+hassle or function.
Those wheels look awfull,that is never down to fair wear and tear,i`ve seen loads of older golfs with monza`s on and none look anywhere near that bad

[FroGTI]

I think the GTI needs 18" wheels, but I dislike the Monza Shadows so much that, TBH, if they were the only two wheel models available, I would go with the standard 17" Monzas. I solved the problem by putting 18" Interlagos wheels on mine.

[Snoopy]

Those wheels look awfull,that is never down to fair wear and tear,i`ve seen loads of older golfs with monza`s on and none look anywhere near that bad

True if you live in the city in the south. The reason you have not seen many imo will be because owners have had them replaced under warrenty or referbed it happens regular, but if you don't believe me so be it. Just don't  start on forums when it happens. Mine were nearly as bad as those in that photo (That photo is of RedRobins Monza IIs). Once you get a little mark or for example stone chip it spreads like weeds. It happens with every make of this type of finish to alloy wheels.
have a look around on the forums for lots of posts about it. One example (that i remember were it is)link

[mac7]

You can keep wheels with this machined/laquered finish looking good for 4 or 5 years but you have to wash them every week, treat them with wax, touch in any stone chips when they occur, swap to winter wheels when the roads are being gritted, etc. Very time consuming and not always practical. Even then, they'll corrode eventually.

I'd still buy the 18's and when they do go have them stripped and refinished in silver, like the 17's. The recesses can still be painted in black or grey if you want and they'll last a lot longer.

Or, as FroGTI says, invest in some decent alternative wheels.

I wonder what VW do with all the old corroded wheels supposedly returned under warranty?

[simonpolly]

Those wheels look awfull,that is never down to fair wear and tear,i`ve seen loads of older golfs with monza`s on and none look anywhere near that bad

True if you live in the city in the south. The reason you have not seen many imo will be because owners have had them replaced under warrenty or referbed it happens regular, but if you don't believe me so be it. Just don't  start on forums when it happens. Mine were nearly as bad as those in that photo (That photo is of RedRobins Monza IIs). Once you get a little mark or for example stone chip it spreads like weeds. It happens with every make of this type of finish to alloy wheels.
have a look around on the forums for lots of posts about it. One example (that i remember were it is)link

Well i hope it don`t happen to mine,but you can rest assured i won`t be crying on a forum about it if it does ,suppose the moral is check them before the WARRANTY expires 

[Exonian]

I wonder what VW do with all the old corroded wheels supposedly returned under warranty?

Well, according to one refubisher I spoke to when I had my mk5 they refurb them and shove 'em back into stock for warranty exchanges.