Picked up my Tonka from Marlboro yesterday and love it - most enjoyable drive round the M25 I've ever had! I'mstill trying to get grips with all the technology, but pretty impressed so far. The missus doesn't much like the fact that she cant see what speed I'm going at, and so can't nag me, or see what the time is, but apart from that quibble the heated seat is keeping her happy!

My local wheel & tyre dealer (Rochford Tyres) has some reasonably priced alloys, on which I'm thinking of sticking their Hankook Ice Bear winter tyres. Is there any serious reason not to fit OEM wheels, and has anyone run on these tyres please?

Pete

Non OE wheels can be a lot heavier and weaker than OE wheels, but like everything it all depends on what company made them, just because they don't have a Skoda, VW or Audi stamp on them they may still be made by one of the OE manufacturers.

So what make are the wheels?

With non OE wheels you would also need to inform your insurance company as there will likely be a premium increase (as it will be classed as a modification).

Non OE wheels can be a lot heavier and weaker than OE wheels, but like everything it all depends on what company made them, just because they don't have a Skoda, VW or Audi stamp on them they may still be made by one of the OE manufacturers.

So what make are the wheels?

With non OE wheels you would also need to inform your insurance company as there will likely be a premium increase (as it will be classed as a modification).

Thanks for responding Gizmo -the ones I had my eye on were made by Dezent - about £100 each. My insurance company dont seemed too fussed about wheels & winter tyres.

Thanks for responding Gizmo -the ones I had my eye on were made by Dezent - about £100 each. My insurance company dont seemed too fussed about wheels & winter tyres.

Interesting... most are not fussed as long as the wheels in question are OE wheels. Going the non-OE route I'd be surprised if they'd still be so non-fussed as the car will now stand out more and look more alluring to thieves to steel who might think the wheels are in fact worth far more than they really are. OR that a car with wheels like that must have a super dooper hi-fi/woofer/amp and 27 speakers inside!

Hi george

I have fitted non o.e wheels on my yeti with snow tyres as i wanted a easy clean no fuss nice looking wheel for winter , as long as you get a correct pcd and centre ring to suit your hub there will be no issues regarding safety all wheels have to meet a standard for load ranges etc.

I have fitted hundreds of alloys which are not o.e on customers cars and had no issues regarding quaility or safety and i run a fast fit centre fitting close to 80 plus tyres a day on anything from astons to ka's so my experience is on par with rochfords who have been about for years now and i would assume would supply you a correct fitment.

nice choice on your car i hope you enjoy it , i,ve had mine over a year now with almost 22000 miles on and i still smile everyday when i drive it

Peter

Edited 12 January, 201115 yr by Pete-n

Hi george

I have fitted non o.e wheels on my yeti with snow tyres as i wanted a easy clean no fuss nice looking wheel for winter , as long as you get a correct pcd and centre ring to suit your hub there will be no issues regarding safety all wheels have to meet a standard for load ranges etc.

I have fitted hundreds of alloys which are not o.e on customers cars and had no issues regarding quaility or safety and i run a fast fit centre fitting close to 80 plus tyres a day on anything from astons to ka's so my experience is on par with rochfords who have been about for years now and i would assume would supply you a correct fitment.

nice choice on your car i hope you enjoy it , i,ve had mine over a year now with almost 22000 miles on and i still smile everyday when i drive it

Peter

Thanks Peter - I'm a Peter too, but me middle names George, so that's alright! The alloys I had in mind look very similar to yours - for the same reason - cleaning. Thanks for putting my mind at rest - I'll go pay Rochford Tyres a visit tomorrow...

Rochford Tyres..... Takes me back, I went to King Edmunds School in Rochford some moons ago.

Thanks for responding Gizmo -the ones I had my eye on were made by Dezent - about £100 each. My insurance company dont seemed too fussed about wheels & winter tyres.

Why not just pay the extra and have Genuine Skoda wheels?

The extra aint that much, £139 for the 16" Wheels...

Al.

Rochford Tyres..... Takes me back, I went to King Edmunds School in Rochford some moons ago.

I'll see if we can get a blue plaque put up for you James!

Regards, Pete