@Sezimodo@gmail.com - Black alloys on a Tornado Red GTI is a combination that works well. However, if your alloys are 18” Austin’s, then IMHO alloys with wide spokes refurbished in black can look a little heavy. Anthracite or smoked chrome might be a better choice of colour.
If you are considering aftermarket alloys, fitting them to an eight year old GTI is unlikely to have much - if any - adverse impact on the car’s value, especially if you go for a set that are in the style of OEM alloys. A website such as
www.rimstyle.com has a wide range of different alloys from many manufacturers - many of which are in an OEM style. Another option might be to consider a set of replica alloys (copies of VW alloys). Some forum members have bought replicas of VW alloys from CMWheels (e.g. copies of Pretoria and Reifnitz alloys). A set of four will cost around £500; link to the website;
www.cmwheels.com If you do decide to go for a set of aftermarket alloys, I’d personally avoid anything diamond cut (sometimes also described as ‘machined’ or ‘polished’), otherwise you could end up in the same position that you’re currently in. Also, bear in mind that fitting a set of aftermarket alloys is considered to be a modification for insurance purposes, so you’d need to inform your insurer.
