Winter wheels

[Ceefeesh]

I have started this topic as some aspects of wheel spec haven’t come up in a while. I’m considering a set of winter wheels. My car has 19” Adelaides fitted and I had thought of buying an OEM set of Mk 8 Richmonds. Now I am thinking of gunmetal / anthracite in 18 x 7.5 as I already have a new set of Michelin climate+ tyres,  225 x 40 x 18. I believe Mk 8 Richmonds are ET51 and wonder should I stick with this or would a different ET look better? Contenders are Wolfrace Astoria, and Eurosport X12. I like Borbet Y, but these only come in 18 x 8 and I wonder how these would go with 225 tyres. I also wondered what type certification  is required/ preferred by insurance companies, i.e. TUV? Thoughts please.

[Exonian]

8” and 225 tyres will be just fine.
I’d recommend a set of grey 8x18” Reifnitz… 

Maybe check out the MAK Wolf as they make them in full OEM fit including bolts and VW centre caps, either in 7.5 width or better still in Scirocco fitment at 8” wide and ET44 which will fill the arches better.


As for insurance, I’ve not had any issues with just declaring “aftermarket” wheels. Different insurers will ask for varying details so it’ll be policy dependant.

[Ceefeesh]

Thanks Exonian. If I was visiting CM again it would likely be gunmetal Estoril 18s. After I get my paintwork sorted it will be wheel time. 🤞

[SRGTD]

Thanks Exonian. If I was visiting CM again it would likely be gunmetal Estoril 18s. After I get my paintwork sorted it will be wheel time. 🤞

CMWheels’ 18” gunmetal Estoril replicas have a diamond cut face (described on their website as ‘machined’). I personally wouldn’t buy a set of diamond cut alloys for winter use; diamond cut alloys and winter road conditions aren’t a great combination, unless you’re a fan of the white worm corrosion look.

I’d be looking for a set of alloys with a painted / powder coated finish - much more durable than diamond cut, and much better suited to winter road conditions.

[BillSan]

Thanks Exonian. If I was visiting CM again it would likely be gunmetal Estoril 18s. After I get my paintwork sorted it will be wheel time. 🤞

CMWheels’ 18” gunmetal Estoril replicas have a diamond cut face (described on their website as ‘machined’). I personally wouldn’t buy a set of diamond cut alloys for winter use; diamond cut alloys and winter road conditions aren’t a great combination, unless you’re a fan of the white worm corrosion look.

I’d be looking for a set of alloys with a painted / powder coated finish - much more durable than diamond cut, and much better suited to winter road conditions.

Completely agree with this - I'd never buy diamond polished wheels and would think twice about buying any car that had them (as I'd have to fork out for replacements within two years!).  They're only good for new car photos and showrooms!

[SRGTD]

Thanks Exonian. If I was visiting CM again it would likely be gunmetal Estoril 18s. After I get my paintwork sorted it will be wheel time. 🤞

CMWheels’ 18” gunmetal Estoril replicas have a diamond cut face (described on their website as ‘machined’). I personally wouldn’t buy a set of diamond cut alloys for winter use; diamond cut alloys and winter road conditions aren’t a great combination, unless you’re a fan of the white worm corrosion look.

I’d be looking for a set of alloys with a painted / powder coated finish - much more durable than diamond cut, and much better suited to winter road conditions.

Completely agree with this - I'd never buy diamond polished wheels and would think twice about buying any car that had them (as I'd have to fork out for replacements within two years!).  They're only good for new car photos and showrooms!

Agree - they may have a certain bling appeal in the dealer’s showroom for some, but not for me. I really wish car manufacturers would get over their obsession with diamond cut alloys; IMHO alloys don’t need to be diamond cut to look good.

That’s just my opinion and there’ll be others who do like diamond cut alloys, and it’s good we don’t all like the same things .

[Ceefeesh]

Hi SRGTD. I agree painted is better suited. The Wolfrace Eurosport X12 or Borbet Y probably fit the bill.

[SRGTD]

Hi SRGTD. I agree painted is better suited. The Wolfrace Eurosport X12 or Borbet Y probably fit the bill.

I think either of those would work well as winter wheels on the mk8. If I had to choose between the two, I would probably go for the Borbet Y, but that’s just my personal preference.

[Ceefeesh]

Has anyone fitted titanium or silver coloured wheels, other than Mk 8 Richmonds, to a Moonstone colour car? If so I’d really like to see a picture. Thanks.

[SRGTD]

Has anyone fitted titanium or silver coloured wheels, other than Mk 8 Richmonds, to a Moonstone colour car? If so I’d really like to see a picture. Thanks.

Some of the alloy wheel manufacture and retailer websites have a configurator, so you can see a representation of specific car and wheel combinations. Here’s a mk8 GTI in grey with titanium coloured 18” Borbet Y alloys;

Link to configurator on the Borbet website below so you can try different types and colours of Borbet alloys;

https://www.borbet.de/en/configurator?a=b#339256807!9FE441A (when in the configurator, click on the paintbrush symbol below the car image to change the colour of the car. Click on the two curved arrows to rotate the car image).