MK6 GTD with Seattle Alloys (Not Seattle Shadow) & Insurance

[Weazle]

Hi,

First post here as I'm in the market for a MK6 GTD and have been looking for the past 4 weeks.

I've looked at pictures of a MK6 GTD and it has Seattle alloys but not the Seattle Shadow ..... was this an optional extra or has someone put these in as a replacement aftermarket?

I am lead to believe that Seattle Shadow is the standard specification so would the normal Seattle be considered a modification that I would need to declare for insurers?

Other alloys that were optional extras I thought were the Charleston 18" & Vancouver 18" right?

Regards,
Weazle

[Weazle]

Sorry I think I posted this in the wrong subforum, could a moderator please move it to the TDI/GTD forum thanks.

[dubber36]

Are you sure that they are not shadows that have been refurbished? Shadows have a diamond cut finish and require a specialist process. Stripping and painting / power coating is a  cheaper way of doing it.

[SRGTD]

Hi Weazle. The standard alloys on the mk6 GTD were the 17" diamond cut Seattle Shadows. and you're correct, Vancouvers we're the optional factory fit 18" option on the early mk6 GTD. This changed on the later models to the 18" Charleston shadows.

It is possible the original alloys were replaced with Seattles, or as Dubber36 has suggested, the diamond cut Seattle shadows may have been refurbished and powder-coated - especially if they were suffering from whiteworm corrosion.

Technically, for insurance purposes, if the original factory fit wheels have been replaced, this counts as a modification, and should be declared to your insurer. If they're genuine VW wheels that are the same size and offset, then I'd be surprised if there'd be any additional premium to pay.

I replaced my factory fit 18" Charleston Shadows with VW 18" Rotary's. I informed my insurer that they were exactly the same size and offset. I had to confirm that they were secured with locking wheel bolts, but there was no change in my premium; my insurer just noted on my policy that I had replaced the original wheels.

[J400uk]

I'd be very surprised if the Seattle Shadow alloys were replaced with normal Seattle's. As suggested they most likely got refurbished on the cheap at some point and just painted silver. The factory finish is difficult and expensive to restore to.

It has no impact on your insurance

[Weazle]

Thanks for the answers.

How would I tell if they have been refurbished? I think I'll ask the seller if they know as well.

[joe6]

I'd be very surprised if the Seattle Shadow alloys were replaced with normal Seattle's. As suggested they most likely got refurbished on the cheap at some point and just painted silver. The factory finish is difficult and expensive to restore to.

It has no impact on your insurance

The insurance question is not always straightforward. Some insurance firms want you to declare options such as upgraded alloys if fitted from new even though it does not change the premium so in case of an accident the correct replacements are fitted. Non-option alloys will incur additional premiums.

[J400uk]

They are exactly the same alloys, just painted differently. As an example you wouldn't tell the insurance company the car has metallic paint, it's the same principle here