I've bought some vw caddy 16" steel wheels to clear my 312mm brakes but now I'm confused as to what bolts to use. I read alloy wheels uses radius bolts and steel should use tapered, but then I also read if you use genuine vw steel wheels they should also use radius. Then there's the issue of do I need different length bolts? The ET of the steel are 50 so I'm assuming not. Thanks Neil

Genuine steels should use the same bolt as genuine alloys, I certainly never had a problem when I ran steelies last winter with the standard bolts. If this weren't the case, the spare wheel would need to come with 5 replacement bolts!

 

Your original bolts should be the correct length and ET has nothing to do with it

Think and I stand to be corrected but isn't the wheel bolts for alloy wheels and steel wheels made from different metals and shouldn't really be used on other wheels?
IE steel wheel bolts shouldn't be used on alloy??

No. Same bolts.

Alloys are lacquered so no problem, same bolts.

^^^

The seating where the bolt sits on an alloy is not lacquered now is it?

& when you paint or powder coat wheels mask where the bolts seat and be sure they are cleaned off when others powder coat them.

Used the same bolts with winter steelies and alloys  on the VRS for several years. No issues at all.

 

Looking at ETKA, both steel and alloy wheels use part number WHT001812 for the wheel bolts.

 

That's conclusive enough for me

Cheers everyone, now do I go full on winter tyre or cross climate? As I live in the 'milder' south West, I'm leaning towards Michelin cc.

If you went 'Full Winter' i take it you might have them fitted only November or even next month til March if you travel on Winterish roads, 

or you could have the Cross Climate on all year seeing as they are Summer Tyres which are Winter Certificated.

Just ordered mine (TS860) for the A3. Just need to get 16" wheels now. Got the Conti TS850's on the VRS and they have been awesome.

 

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m96b0s629p145195/Continental_Tyres_Winter_Snow_Car_Continental_ContiWinterContact_TS860_Continental_Conti_Winter_Contact_TS_860_-_205_55_R16_94V_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_72dB

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/winter-driving-special/93097/winter-tyres-test-2017-best-tyre-brands-reviewed-and

 

Edited 24 September, 20178 yr by FatblokeVRS

same bolts.  Has to be because the spare is a steel wheel...