What does offset mean? - Can I make these fit?!

[Tom H]

OK - I've been looking for new wheels recently, and I like the look of some porsche design 90 wheels that I've found - the PCD I think is correct (although I need to double check that) but they have and offset of 55 on the front and 52.3 on the rear - I've been advised that only an offset of 20-40 will fit, but I don't know what offset means!

Also I've seen these same wheels on Mk2 and Mk3 golfs - so I know they can be made to fit - but does this require major work?

Thanks in advance

Edit: Oh yeah -  and they're 16's incase it matters?

[boneybradley]

They need hub adaptors which will change the pcd (5x100 to 5x130) and the offset to the correct fitments. try venom etc

[Tom H]

Ahh, excellent stuff! Thanks man.

Only thiung is now what thickness should I go for? I've had a look around and they range from 15mm to 45mm (from what I've seen so far), I'm thinking I shuld go for 15mm as the wheels will already be pleanty wide enough - but am I making a faux pas there?!

Also are these things quite easy to fit? I like the idea of doing a bit of work myself, but my mechanical knowledge leave a little to be desired (as you may have guessed  :embarassed:) would I be better off getting a professional to fit them?

[Len]

Sure there is a guide to wheel offsets around here somewhere but cant find it!

This is not the true explanation but its something to do with the distance out from the wheel hub.
Mk3 Gti's should have an offset of 35mm
That clears the back of the wheel from the calipers.
So if you have a 20mm offset wheel you will need a 15mm spacer.

[Tom H]

^ Ahh ok, I think I'm kinda with ya - although now I'm wondering how the offset can be too big?
Does that mean that the wheels will be sticking right out of my arches?

[Len]

Ah now ya got me coz I think it can be a + or - figure!!!

[Tom H]

Nope, you lost me again!  ha ha

ok I found this

offset is the number in mm from the center of the wheel. so +35 is 35mm towards the outside of the wheel from the center of the wheel. the center of the wheel is 0. -35 is -35mm towards the inside of the wheel (towards the car). the lower the number, the fatter the lip.

but that still doesn't help me much as I don't knwo which I'm being quoted, or how to find out! Sod it - I'll just buy a car with some already on it! 

[Len]

It confuses the heck out of me too!

have bought 3 sets of alloys for my car now, the first had been previously fitted to the same car as mine. The 3rd was brand new and had to have spacers! But thats a whole other story!

[R98 HUF]

are these what you are after?
Just seen them on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Golf-mk3-wheel-PCD-Hub-adapters-5x100-5x130-Porsche_W0QQitemZ230153563161QQihZ013QQcategoryZ9889QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Tom H]

thanks man, yeah they're what I need - but I'm still not sure they sort the offset?

I think I might give FK a call as they make the things and see if they can help - thanks for that link though, might save me a few pennies