I'm looking to fit some alloys to my Octavia and need some basic info as this is a first for me. It currently has 15" steels fitted so if I put larger alloys on, do I need to look at replacing the spare too? I'm guessing I can look at using any 5 bolt VAG alloys, are Skoda centre caps easily obtainable?

In some cases you can get away with it, rolling radius's and all that.

Depends what profile tyre's your putting on

It depends on the size of the alloys. I've used a 15" spare with 17" alloys but not for long distance.

Some older 5 stud VAG cars are 5x100 but your car is 5x112. You can use most of the newer Golf/Audi alloys and Mercedes wheels too. Just make sure the offset (ET) is ok.

You might also need new wheel studs as I think Steel Wheel studs have a different head shape to Alloy Wheel studs and wont centre the wheels properly

I've got 18" RS4 Replica's on (225/40/R18) I recieved a puncture free of charge the other week and ended up using my spare (195/65/R15).

Thank goodness it wasn't a buy one get one free offer, the tyres have just about covered 2000miles!

There wasn't all that much of a difference whilst driving with it on the rear of the car, the tyre was also more than half the way through its lifespan.

Although when stood looking at it from the outside of the car it did seem to lean over a little.

I did the same thing last year. I got a set of 17" Audi A3 alloys 5x112 and wheel nut covers. I found the link below full of great info. The centers on the other hand where a different matter I found Skoda very unhelpful when trying to source. They only go off part numbers not the diameter of hole. I even resorted to walking around a Skoda dealers lot with the original Audi center trying to get a match, and was asked to leave by the Manger when I asked him for his permission (lol). In the end I found a set of correct diameter blank centers on Ebay I had to mod them alittle so they would clip in place and hold. I will try and post a pic so you can see. If you can find the correct center size and part number, you have cracked it. You may have to do what I did. Then if you want, try and find the correct sized adhesive Skoda badge. I didn't look for the badge out of an act of defiance. (rebel lol).

I have not had a problem with using the original wheel nuts, i currently don't have a set of locking wheel nuts.

Good luck, let me know how you get on.

Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 2 of 2

Edited 31 March, 200917 yr by SmArt-E

As promised, I currently have my 15" wheels on my car, due to me needing a new set of tyres on my 17's. I am planning on putting a set of winter tyres on 15" wheels or just getting them fitted to the front.

These are the tyres that I use. I have them fitted for £65 each from a local dealer.

Manufacturer: Barum

(Manufactured by Continental)

Tyre: Barum Bravuris 2

Features:

* High Perfomance - Bravuris 2

* Asymmetric tread design

* Designed to cope with the demands of high performance motoring

* Reduced braking distances

* Increased cornering and handling on any road surface

* Enhances stability whilst maintaining a high level of comfort

* Developed for high performance driving

* Will not disappoint the cost conscious motorist

* Available in 16 different sizes

* Speed index: WR, YR

* Available profiles: 35, 40, 45, 50, 55

Edited 31 March, 200917 yr by SmArt-E

You may be in luck with the center badge. I saw this today.

http://briskoda.net/items-sale/wheel-centre-caps/142274/

Edited 31 March, 200917 yr by SmArt-E

You might also need new wheel studs as I think Steel Wheel studs have a different head shape to Alloy Wheel studs and wont centre the wheels properly

All the wheel bolts are the same, if they were different how do you think a car with alloy wheels would safely fit a steel spare?

Thanks for all the replies, tis a bit more complicated than I thought. Think I'll just keep a look out for some OEM ones that someone has upgraded from.

As long as you got a full size spare...shouldn't matter what alloys you get as long as they have the same rolling radius.

I had 16's when I got the car, with a full size spare. I've still kept the spare but changed main wheels to 18's. There is no problems whatsoever in doing this.