Best standard alloys...

[JoeGTI]

mine are totally f***ed. white worm everywhere.  I still love them mind you

Are Monza Shadows more prone to white worm than other Monza's?  Don't see why they would be.

I had 2 Mk5 GTI's both with Monza's of one type or another and in 7 years never got whiteworm, despite the wheels getting kerbed (my achilles heel  ).  Maybe I was just lucky.

You were very lucky. Were your MK5 wheels 17's or 18's? The 17's don't have the polished finish so they don't have this problem.

Actually, having said that, I found that careless tyre fitters were the biggest problem with them, much more so than kerbing. If the tyre fitter nicks the very edge of the rim when levering off the old tyre or bangs the wrench around the bolt holes you are in trouble. The damage won't be apparent until weeks/months later as moisture gets in under the lacquer through nicks inflicted by the tyre fitter.

[Booth11]

You were very lucky. Were your MK5 wheels 17's or 18's? The 17's don't have the polished finish so they don't have this problem.

Actually, having said that, I found that careless tyre fitters were the biggest problem with them, much more so than kerbing. If the tyre fitter nicks the very edge of the rim when levering off the old tyre or bangs the wrench around the bolt holes you are in trouble. The damage won't be apparent until weeks/months later as moisture gets in under the lacquer through nicks inflicted by the tyre fitter.

They were 18's so I was fortunate. 

You're right about tyre fitters though.  They buggered up one of my Glendales a few months back fitting a new tyre, though most of the damage was on the face of the wheel   
I'm keeping them well protected to try and keep any corrosion at bay.

[dubber36]

I don't know why manufactures have to keep persisting with giving us diamond polished wheels. Mk3 Golf's suffered from this nearly 20 years ago. What's wrong with painted wheels that are durable and easy to repair?

[Snoopy]

Lacquer does not bond(stick) to a smooth machined or polished finish very well. The constant heat-cold cycle does not help.

[dereks]

bit of a bump....

I reckon mines are fakes, they are shot.when i bought the car the advert said the car had monza's but when i viewed the car it only had 17's on. the salesman said if i wanted the 18's he would fit them on which i said i did but noticed after a few months the whiteworm was appearing!

Tried getting the salesman to advise what to do but constantly blanked getting back to me( he has now left)

had the car 18 months now so probably not got a leg to stand on now.


not chuffed!

[dereks]

Another thing, would replica's still be diamond cut's? If so I would be cheaper getting a new set than doing a refurb!

[Booth11]

Have you got a pic of them? 

This thread shows difference between genuine monza shadows and reps

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=265043.msg2436194#msg2436194

[dereks]

Not at the moment but can take one, I'm pretty sure as they are like the ones on the picture the rim is thicker like the replica between the painted black hole and the tyre.

They went downhill pretty quick with white worm forming around wheel studs within a few months now they are all covered in it( with a few self inflicted scuffs thrown in )

Going to have a word with the dealer but I'm not hopeful they will do anything.

Edit. I also remember the centre caps (stick on) fell off the first time I washed the car.

[dereks]

Turns out the replicas are diamond cut so it's cheaper to buy a new set than get them refurbished!!!

[charlie]

If yours are the real deal they will have the vw stamp on them and if they are real get them refurbed