To BBS or not to BBS your GTI?

[Ess_Three]

BBS Supply new wheel bolts and locking bolts with the wheels 

They do?
I never got locking bolts with my CHs!!

[sundaydriver]

Steven: Have you had your ET changed?

Nope!
Like Ess_three said it's not worth it. I've never known anyone do it and it can possibly lead to all sort's of problems.

I did look into it but found out that you can't special order a different offset with BBS, it's the BBS stockist that send them out to get machined(Max 5mm)

It's up to you but i'm pretty fussy and mine look fine to me. The BBS stockist said the ET44 gives it a more agressive look!


Also you get a full fitting kit with the alloy's (spiggot rings,longer bolts and locking wheel nuts) so if you did get them machined your wheel nut's that you have on your car at the moment should fit fine.

Hope my spelling meets your approval! 

[Ess_Three]

Also you get a full fitting kit with the alloy's (spiggot rings,longer bolts and locking wheel nuts) so if you did get them machined your wheel nut's that you have on your car at the moment should fit fine.

Erm...aren't the aftermarket BBS taper seats?
I know my CHs are.

My OEM RXIIs are radius seat...but I was under the impression that ANY BBS wheel that needs a spigot ring uses a taper seat...so the standard wheel bolts will NOT fit fine.

[am1w]

Steven: Have you had your ET changed?

Nope!
Like Ess_three said it's not worth it. I've never known anyone do it and it can possibly lead to all sort's of problems.
I did look into it but found out that you can't special order a different offset with BBS, it's the BBS stockist that send them out to get machined(Max 5mm)
It's up to you but i'm pretty fussy and mine look fine to me. The BBS stockist said the ET44 gives it a more agressive look!
Also you get a full fitting kit with the alloy's (spiggot rings,longer bolts and locking wheel nuts) so if you did get them machined your wheel nut's that you have on your car at the moment should fit fine.
Hope my spelling meets your approval!

That's great. Thanks. Will leave well alone. The guy at Performance Alloys was adamant not to have it done. Thanks for the heads up or in my case (in your opinion) bums up!
Spellcheque not done. 

[sundaydriver]

Also you get a full fitting kit with the alloy's (spiggot rings,longer bolts and locking wheel nuts) so if you did get them machined your wheel nut's that you have on your car at the moment should fit fine.

My OEM RXIIs are radius seat...but I was under the impression that ANY BBS wheel that needs a spigot ring uses a taper seat...so the standard wheel bolts will NOT fit fine.

If he gets the alloys machined less 5mm the longer wheel bolts supplied with the alloys may not fit that's why i said the one's he has on the car at the moment which are shorter should fit fine.

I also used my VW locking wheel nuts with my BBS CK's, no problems, a little shorter but ok fit.

[Ess_Three]

If he gets the alloys machined less 5mm the longer wheel bolts supplied with the alloys may not fit that's why i said the one's he has on the car at the moment which are shorter should fit fine.

You are missing the point about the seats...
OEM bolts are RADIUS seat.
Aftermarket BBS are 60 degree TAPER seat.
You cannot use RADIUS seat bolts on TAPER seat wheels or the other way round as it's unsafe and you risk your wheels falling off.

You NEED to match seat type with bolt type...and his OEM bolts have the WRONG profile for aftermarket BBS wheels.

So fit, as it screw in and not hit the ABS ring, yes.
Be safe...no. Utterly wrong...and potentially dangerous.

[Ess_Three]

I also used my VW locking wheel nuts with my BBS CK's, no problems, a little shorter but ok fit.

So you use a radius seat bolt on a taper seat wheel?
I do hope your other 4 are the correct taper type?

It's a good job one of the wheel bolts are spare and VW didn't decide to fit 5 because they were required. Oh, hang on a minute...

Seriously, get the correct taper seat locking wheel bolts...that is if CKs are taper, like CHs are?

[sundaydriver]

If he gets the alloys machined less 5mm the longer wheel bolts supplied with the alloys may not fit that's why i said the one's he has on the car at the moment which are shorter should fit fine.

You are missing the point about the seats...
OEM bolts are RADIUS seat.
Aftermarket BBS are 60 degree TAPER seat.
You cannot use RADIUS seat bolts on TAPER seat wheels or the other way round as it's unsafe and you risk your wheels falling off.

You NEED to match seat type with bolt type...and his OEM bolts have the WRONG profile for aftermarket BBS wheels.

So fit, as it screw in and not hit the ABS ring, yes.
Be safe...no. Utterly wrong...and potentially dangerous.

Thanks for explaining, better take out the VW locking wheel nuts and replace them with the ones provided if the CK's are taper.

[Ess_Three]

Thanks for explaining, better take out the VW locking wheel nuts and replace them with the ones provided.

Good man...it's for the best.
You can limp home on 4 bolts, but I would never suggest hammering about on only 4 correct bolts - which is what a missmatch of seats/bolts gives you.

[am1w]

A big thank you, both of you.
Saved me lots of agro and asking lots of questions.
Very grateful for the excellence of the information. 

Glen, missed you.