What combination of wheels and tyres are available for snow chains?

The 18" zeniths are too big for snow chains according to my local dealer.

I thought 16" vw steels would fit the bill, but he said there was a risk of the wheels snagging the brake hoses as they aren't as deep 7.5j versus 8.0j currently on the car. Is this correct?

I am taking the car to an alpine resort and snow chains are essential!

Cheers:thumbup:

I would really appreciate if anyone can offer advice?

I've seen Octis and Golfs mk5 with 195/65/15, 205/60/15, 205/55/16 all with snow chains on (the supermarket bought kind) with no problem.

You can get snow chains for almost any size tyre/wheel. Problems only arise if you have dramatically lowered the car.

Weissenfels Everest Snow Chains

I'm not sure if 15's fit around the vRS brake disks, but a 15 is more comfortable than a 16", when riding over hardened lumps of snow, and the likes. Plus less expensive tires and wheels.

15's wont go over the brakes.

What combination of wheels and tyres are available for snow chains?

I am taking the car to an alpine resort and snow chains are essential!

I'd seriously consider one of the 'sock' alternatives that other people have talked about in other threads.

We normally go to the France / Swiss border once (twice if really lucky) a season and I've chanced it for 10 years without snow chains (yes I know the law!). Usually this has been with 4x4 estates, but as I change my car every 12-18 months I would have ended up with a stack of unused chains.

A few people have said that socks are good for the lower speed stuff around resorts, and although I didn't take the vRS (PD) TDi estate I had ski-ing, I would either have hired chains or bought socks, as the traction was (let's be honest) pants.

My next car for January ski-ing is a Scout after 18 months sans Skoda !

Skoda only approves a 6.0 x 16 ET 50 wheel in combination with snowchains on a RS. No other wheel is on there list.

There are however possibilities to run the RS on 6.5 x 16 ET 45 or even on 6.5 x 16 ET 50 with chains.

The chains on the 6.0 ET 50 or 6.5 ET 45 will have to be chains with small chainlinks, as there is not much space between tyre and shockabsorber.

I drive the 6.5 x 16 (BBS) ET 50 wheels and in the TUV papers there is only a Centrax allowed. Centrax because they dont go over the tyre on the inside of the wheel.

Hmmm I have found some spike spiders that fit the existing wheels and clear the arches but at 250 quid they aren't cheap! New wheels/tyres and chain would cost a bob or two! Dilemna time!

Than you will still need wintertyres on your std wheels. Or do you want to drive in the show with your summertyres? :eek:

Having wintertyres will bring you almost everywhere. Havent used my chains the last 2 years (as long as I have my RS), although I have been in the snow a couple of times (4 times skivacation)

Hi Neebsta

here are two pics of my car with the 16" winterwheels on. Roadheight is standard, no springs, coilovers or whatsoever.

It depends on where you want to go. In Germany winterequipment musst be on the car if the weather conditions are so. You will be fined guilty if you are involved in an accident and the car doesnt have the appropriate tyres.

Personally I would never want to drive an Octi with 17 or 18" summertyres to a place where it snows. You will get there, but, for me, it would be too tricky.

Grts from Germany

Mike

magic62,

Do you know if most/all of the VAG group 16", 5 x112 alloys will clear the vRS front brakes? Looking at the possibility of getting some secondhand 16" Audi or VW wheels for the octavia as it is pure evil on the 18"s in this weather.

The VW wheels should fit, as long as the offset is right. (6.0x16 ET50 or less, or 6.5x16 ET50 or less).

There are different offsets in 6" and 6.5" wide steel rims.

In Germany we need rims that are approved by the TÜV, which means we are only down to a few rims.

Shouldnt be a problem in GB though

Also the Audi wheels should fit. Best thing is, to check it beforehand. Especially at the front. (as the calipers are bigger and more away from the axle center).

So I cannot give you a full yes, but probably most of the rims will fit.

(as far as I know, passat and A6 have smaller ET, means your track will become wider. Which should be OK, as mine are optically a bit narrow)

The 16" vega wheels from the elegance fit fine over the 312mm brakes from a VRS as I run these brakes on an elegance.