Wanted: Reifnitz or Pretoria Wheels

[Exonian]

Oh hell no

  I’d be the same!


As a (not very) fascinating aside, you can still get Quaranta/Belvedere wheels fitted to brand new VW’s, they’re fitted in plain gloss black (no polished sections on the spokes) to the US market Jetta GLi 40th Anni.

[Paul70]

I noticed a massive difference personally going from Brescias (and many other sets) to Belvederes, feels nicer in corners and much better suited to the roads I'm on at least, hence why I'm after another set.

I second Will’s view. I’ve just changed from Racingline Cups running Michelin Crossclimates (winter set up) to the Belvederes with PS4Ss and the difference was very noticeable- appreciate this was probably more to do with the tyre than the extra 1.5 kg per wheel but small changes can make a huge difference to driving enjoyment. Adding an extra 5 kg per wheel with a set of 19 replicas would be very noticeable but it’s a personal choice.

[GTIPPKEV]

Message me if you decide to sell your Belvedere's.

I am in Glasgow.


Kev

[gixerste]

I noticed a massive difference personally going from Brescias (and many other sets) to Belvederes, feels nicer in corners and much better suited to the roads I'm on at least, hence why I'm after another set.

Not VW alloys, but when I replaced my standard 18" alloys with light weight 18" alloys on my BMW F40 135i you could definitely feel the difference, they were much better.   

[pixelcellar]

So a lighter wheel would feel better, seen someone looking to get rid of a set of 19" oz ultraleggera hlt with PS4's that have barely been driven, anyone have an opinion on them, they seem quite a lightweight wheel and aren't cheap but could be a good alternative to a heavier or more easily damaged Pretoria?

[clubsport]

The Oz are a great looking wheel...

For the most part 19" wheels do look better on a Mk7 Golf as they fill the arches. The 19" also tend to be slightly wider, running a 235 over 225 tyre, don't forget, when VW built the Clubsport S for the Nordschliefe ring record attempt, they chose 19" Pretoria over the lighter 18". I asssume it was mostly down to the improved mechanical grip of the 19"s ?

[willni]

It's all to do with unsprung weight, unsprung weight has a multiplier effect of x2-x3. 6kg saving versus the standard 19s is more like 12-18kg a corner. 

@Clubsport was it not to do with the Pilot Cup 2 tyres weren't released in 18in at that point?

[clubsport]

@willni, I am not sure that makes sense the Michelin Pilot Cup 2 was launched in 2014, 2 years before the Clubsport S.

Quite a few of us have used them in a 225/40/18 Porsche size which is also the size VW would use on an 18" equipped GTi ?

There is more mechanical grip with a 235 on track, they had DCC on the car to ride the kerbs in "comfort" mode.

[willni]

@willni, I am not sure that makes sense the Michelin Pilot Cup 2 was launched in 2014, 2 years before the Clubsport S.

Quite a few of us have used them in a 225/40/18 Porsche size which is also the size VW would use on an 18" equipped GTi ?

There is more mechanical grip with a 235 on track, they had DCC on the car to ride the kerbs in "comfort" mode.

I thought it was similar to the current Pilot Sport S5, it's been released since March 2023 but the sizes aren't available?

[clubsport]

If you are on track chasing a lap record you want the most mechanical grip, don't you?

Why would you choose a less grippy 18" tyre (if available), They were clearly available on sporting cars in 19", no doubt due to manufacturing demand?... Why didn't manufacturers run sporting cars on 18"?.....for the latest  german track weapons they are running 20/21" with massive clearance for brakes!
All very confusing!?