Hey forumites,

Just wanted a few opinions if I may. My 56' vRS has the 17" Zeniths, all 4 alloys are in near perfect condition but all 4 tyres are between 2.5-3mm so need replacing soon. Rather than buy new tyres I thought this would be a good opportunity to change/upgrade the alloys...I've been looking at getting some 18" Neptunes but finding it impossible to source some in good condition (preferably gloss black!) with decent make tyres and 5mm+ of tread for example. Wanted advert here and scouring eBay has provided nothing :(

4 new tyres for the 17" Zeniths in a tyre I'd like (eg Vredestein Vorti's) are going to be approx £350, so I had a quick look on eBay and came across some Octavia 17" Teron Mk3 alloys and thought, that might work!

I know they're not 18" which is what I was looking at getting initially but they are brand new wheels with brand new unused Pirelli P7 Cinturato tyres:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Pirelli/CINTURATO-P7.htm

These are £95 each online!

The only difference in the specs is the offset, these being 49 and the Zeniths 54. I've been informed this should cause no issue...?

So what do you think, good deal?

I'm thinking I've got several options:

Put them straight on the car and sell the Zeniths

Put the new tyres on the Zeniths and sell the 17" 'Teron' alloys, as a set or individually

Keep the Teron alloys as winters

What do you guys think? I guess the proof in pudding will be actually putting them on the car to see what they look like but from pictures they don't appear massively different to the Zeniths?! I'm told 17" handle better anyway

Sorry for all the waffle, cheers for any replies...

Edited 27 August, 201510 yr by Woo7dy

skodaparts reckon a new teron alloy is worth £267, i'd keep the tyres and sell on the terons. you should in theory get free tyres and some cashback.

You've got nothing to loose effectively, because you need new tyres and you know these alloys are worth £130 all day long! (difference between tyre replacement cost, and what these cost you)

 

I'd fit them and see what you reckon. Only thing I'm thinking is what the offset is on the Mk3?

 

If you don't like them, swap the tyres onto the Zeniths and sell these

I would do it. Nothing to lose and I certainly wouldn't bother paying to get the tyres swapped from one 17 inch rim to another. When the tyres are worn then you can as you already mention use whichever set as winter wheels.

I got my winter wheels this way and ran the (16 inch rims) with some pretty horrible Potenza tyres for 18,000 miles before putting the winter tyres on.

Offset difference is worth checking carefully but seems like a small difference to me. Pretty sure the 19 inch wheel users run 45 offsets.

Thanks for quick responses guys, good advice and thanks for the reassurance votes! They are actually standard wheels on a Mk3 Octavia Elegance, still look good though I think?

I'd fit them and see what you reckon. Only thing I'm thinking is what the offset is on the Mk3?

Wardy, the Mk3 Teron's are a 49 offset whereas I've found out the Zeniths are 54...what does this actually mean?! Will it have a detrimental effect in anyway?

The more I think about it, the more I think I've got a good deal

Terons will sit 5mm further out into the arch. Zeniths sit too far in for my liking, so this will work well

 

To give you some context, my Speedlines are an inch wider (8" rim) and a 42 offset, so you have quite a bit of room to play with.

I'd do it.

 

5mm difference in the offset is negligible. It'll have the effect of pushing the wheel further out in the arch by 5mm which won't have any detrimental affects (oem 18" zeniths are et51 so only 2mm difference to those).

 

Personally i'd pop the new wheels and tyres on the car (ie don't waste money on swapping tyres around) and sell the zeniths as they are with worn tyres still on.  You should get what.. 250 ish for the zeniths? - that makes the cost to change only 200 ish which is significantly cheaper than buying 4 tyres for your zeniths.

Ok I've done it! Wheels picked up!

Edited 27 August, 201510 yr by Woo7dy

You could have some Speedline Turinis for that sort of money though - I might have some for sale

 

You pays your money and you takes your choice

You could have some Speedline Turinis for that sort of money though - I might have some for sale

You pays your money and you takes your choice

Including new Conti Sport 2 tyres...?!

Wouldn't fit Contis to anything personally, but that's my choice. Brand new PS3s for one pair, 6mm PZero Neros for the other

 

Take a look: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/305082-speedline-turinis-18-with-michelinpirelli-tyres-mint-condition-%C2%A3700

Yer that's fair enough, I'm not a huge fan of Conti's either tbh!

Wardy I did see those when I was looking, they are really nice but just a bit too 'aftermarket' for me, I just want to stay OEM so I don't get the wrong sort of attention etc. Great price though, in fairness they're still in my maybe pile...!

I think maybe stick my sensible hat on and stick with the 17's, they were a great price and I could always change them in the future without hopefully loosing too much dosh. I just really really want black Neptunes!

Not sure I'd describe them as 'aftermarket' (although of course they're made by a 3rd party, but most alloys are) and my very aim is to avoid attention so I'm with you on that - but to each their own

 

They fit in very well with the Octy shape IMO....

 

They are tasty, when I say aftermarket I mean simply not OEM, I appreciate they're more than likely lighter and probably better made but as you say, each to their own I do really appreciate your input and help on this topic Wardy, I'm sure someone will snap yours up soon.

Edited 26 April, 201412 yr by Woo7dy

Lighter? Yep, 3kg per wheel against 18" Zeniths! Sometimes OEM isn't always best

I wish you all the best in your search though

So I'm thinking about sticking with the Teron wheels and putting them on my vRS...Some pics before I do:

Not great I know but sort of shows how they might look?! Opinions very welcome...

That last photo, they actually look quite like the Zenith design to me

 

Slightly cleaner design, more of an edge to the spoke, than rounded off. Would look good in anthracite, against the Race Blue IMO 

Cheers Wardy, yer I thought that too. They're very similar indeed and I see what you're saying about the cleaner design.

Would be great to see them anthracite or even gloss black like the Blackline Neptunes?

Anyone else want to cast an opinion, good or bad...?!

They are a nice wheel. Have them in my Mk3 Elegance; only downside is I can see them being a bit of a sod to keep clean (had my car for nearly three months and yet to get a wash....the fronts are pretty black now)

Design is pretty open though? I've certainly seen designs that are more difficult for cleaning.

 

Some wheel sealant or a more resistant wax on them, will make the world of difference for brake dust build up.

nice wheel.  i'd rock those no problem.

 

as wardy says, if you went darker/anthracite it'd be even better but even so they look good in silver against the race blue.

Good shout Wardy, I'll get some protection on them, any suggestions? Yer I agree I think the design is quite slim and simple, more so than the Zeniths and they're okay to clean (still a pain in the arse tho!)

Glad you're rocking them and enjoying them Pipsy Cheers for the vote of confidence! Any pictures of yours?!

Cheers Rob, yer I might have a think about changing the colour but I guess I'd be looking at £200ish for all 4? Not cheap, I'm not a fan of spending money...! I really do like the Blackline Neptunes but not sure if these Teron's will look as good? As they're only 17", busier design and my car is a Pre-FL...

Edited 2 May, 201412 yr by Woo7dy

Good shout Wardy, I'll get some protection on them, any suggestions?

Collinite 845 has done a good job for me, or Jetseal 109. FK1000 sealant gets good reviews too and has higher temperature resilience.

Glad you're rocking them and enjoying them Pipsy Cheers for the vote of confidence! Any pictures of yours?!

Mine are v grubby, also on a Mk3 with standard suspension so is best described as "on stilts" (wanted it that way though for best ride quality).

I had a Blackline until recently and agree the Black Neptunes look really good, strangely the Neptune wheel design did nothing for me in silver but loved them in black (when I bought my Mk2 would have spec'd the black wheels regardless) v much an acquired taste to many though

Now fitted!