I'm new to the Forum so hope this is the right location to post.

I have for about 20 years used steel rims for snow tyres changing the whole wheel set at the onset of winter.

I have just changed my 4x4 Octavia Estate 1.9TDi lease car for a new Octavia 1.6TDi Estate (2 wheel drive). The lease company offered a good deal for buying the 4x4 so my wife sold her Fabia and we now have the 4x4 and new (leased) Octavia Elegance Estate.

In preparation for winter I ordered 4 steel rims (6Jx15 H2 - asked for Avantgarda as in Jan 2011 catalogue)as we already have this size rim with 195/65R15 Gislaved Nord Frost for the 4x4 and the catalogue showed thyem as standard for the S model. Our existing Steels have part number 1K0601027G which may have been the "Rif" if I remember correctly unless that was the Fabia rims! The 4x4 Steel spare has same rim with the yellow sticker and I think the speed restriction is because it would be mixing rim and tyre types when used as spare since the alloys have 205/60 profile. The lower end cars have the steel rims as standard fit so no reason for speed restriction if all 4 wheeels are the same.

The part number of the rims I was supplied by the Skoad dealer is 1J06010027AB (also 6Jx15 H2) and I had the tyres fitted (195/65R15) only to find the stud circumference is too small for the new Octavia and 4x4. It would seem these are for the Octavia which I find very suprising. Anyone had experience of these rims?

The dealer is adamant the rims are for an Octavia and put the blame on me for ordering before the car arrived! I guess he does have a point and I could have checked the rims before getting tyres fitted doh! So I now have a choice - keep the tyres as my wife can use them as new winter tyres next year on her existing steel rims and trade in the rims supplied for the dealer recommended 16" 8P060102703C rims at higher cost plus handling charge and get 205/55 winter tyres. Not keen on low profile tyres for snow but the dealer insists these rims are the (ONLY) recommended steel rims for the Elegance Estate 1.6TDi.

Alternatively I can trade in for the rims I thought I was getting in the first place i.e. the 1K0601027G that fit the 4x4 as they appear to be compatible and at least can be used with the 4x4. Can anyone confirm that there is any problem using 15" steel rims on any model providing you stick to the national speed limit and have the exact same tyre on all four wheels? Any reason why I should only use 205/55 16" ?

Sorry it's such a long post and any helpful suggestions are welcome.

Cheers

Andy

All Mk2 Octavias, including 4x4 and Scout have same bolt pattern for the wheels PCD 5 x 112 so it looks like you've bought wheels for something else, maybe a MK1 Octavia!

There are two steel rims approved for the Octavia, the standard one and a winter one. They have slightly different offsets which I can't remember just now.

The recommended winter tyre size is 205/55R16. 15" rims will fit except on vRS with big brakes.

From reading your post I'm guessing you have a Mk1 4x4 and Mk2 Octavia 1.6 TDI

All Mk2 Octavias, including 4x4 and Scout have same bolt pattern for the wheels PCD 5 x 112 so it looks like you've bought wheels for something else, maybe a MK1 Octavia!

There are two steel rims approved for the Octavia, the standard one and a winter one. They have slightly different offsets which I can't remember just now.

The recommended winter tyre size is 205/55R16. 15" rims will fit except on vRS with big brakes.

From reading your post I'm guessing you have a Mk1 4x4 and Mk2 Octavia 1.6 TDI

Hi Scottish Scout and thanks for the reply. Just as you say the bolt pattern is 112 PCD. The dealer supplied steel rims for a Mark 1 110 PCD despite the fact I've never owned a Mark 1! The Steel rims on our 4x4 fit the new Estate. The dealer seems to think that the Elegence Trim requires a 16" steel rim which is nonsense and I just think he doesn't want to admit making a mistake on the order.

The 15" with 195/65 gives a higher profile and the narrower tyre gives better performance in snow and if a 195/65 R15 tyre can be supplied on an Octavia S 1.6TDi I see no reason for it not to be used for an Elegence trim.

Thanks AMI

I've now got to get Arnold Shark to exchange for rims to suit 112 PCD.