I'm thinking about upgrading the std 16's to VW/Audi/Seat 17"s.

I know that a range of offsets would be suitable provided the wheel is 100PCD/5 stud.

2 Questions for someone in the know! :-

1) What is the difference of having 38 offset rather than say a 35 or 32 ?

2) What is most appropriate for a 4x4 - if it makes any difference over a

vRS or other model ?

Thanks

Rob

Rob, have you read all about inset and outset in the Wheel and Tyre Bible which can be accessed from here? If it helps, the 4X4 has 6

The RS is also fitted with that size for some markets (eg Ireland) but the current UK spec is 7Jx16 H2 ET38 alloys (and for the RS-WRC too).

7Jx 16 !

Are you quite sure Denis ?

One other thing to bear in mind, if you are considering different brake discs & callipers in the future check that your choice of wheel will be compatable, its not only offset but also the shape of the spokes that will need to be considered, aparently its more common than I thought for people to choose after market wheels only to find the spoke hits the calliper.

If you are buying s/hand wheels off a scrapped VAG car & they are alloys make sure they are perfectly round & check run on both inside & outside. Its best done on the car but if this cant be done find a perfectly flat surface say a sheet of ply or hardboard roll the wheel & see if it rolls true. I managed to knock 2 wheels out of true due to "excessive driver enjoyment" & yet they looked perfect.

Again re s/hand route, onother thought is that if they come off a higher spec VAG car you may be able to get the discs & callipers as well.

If you are going down the "new wheel route" you may well find genuine VAG wheels a lot more expensive than some of the aftermarket wheels where you can get some good deals on a set although beware as some aparently good deals are cheap due to "cheap tyres".

Lastly if you change wheel size & definately if you change brakes as well dont forget the spare. I am not sure if its OK to run a 16 as a "get you home" with 3 other 17's, especially if the outer radius is slightly different.

Thanks for the info Denis & Stuart Very helpful.

I still don't quite understand re the Octavia 4x4. If it comes with ET42 offset as standard instead of ET38 on other Octavias (and the Audi wheels I like), why is that ? Is it something to do with higher ground clearance / suspension roll ?

If I go for some ET38 17" wheels will I be increasing suspension wear etc, or is it all a bit negligible and more down to how I drive it ?

On the brake side, I will probably try DS2500 pads/fluid in the spring as they worked very well on my Impreza... unless I suddenly find a lot more money than I don't have at the minute !

Rob

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Oh go on.

7Jx 16 !

Are you quite sure Denis ?

Sorry for the mipsprint! Should have read 7Jx17. Original post now corrected.

It's not just the 4X4 which if fitted with 6.5Jx16H2 ET42, but also the Collection, L&K, and the RS in some markets.

Sorry for the mipsprint! Should have read 7Jx17. Original post now corrected.

It's not just the 4X4 which if fitted with 6.5Jx16H2 ET42, but also the Collection, L&K, and the RS in some markets.

Really confused now ! The aftermarket wheel/tyre guides talk about 35-38 ECT offset being compatible for Octavias / Golf based VW/Audis.

Can anyone suggest a reason why the offset is ET42 on some and not others, if presumably the suspension is the same(ish!) ?

Stuart, I know that you speak from personal experience about wheels fouling brakes. What spec and make wheels did you fit to your 4X4 to go with the bigger front (Brembo?) discs and callipers?

Denis

It wasnt personal experience, having heard of others I was wise before the event shall we say

I chose Wolfrace Urban Racers because they were the right price (