Need some input on wheels please chaps!

 

My VRS runs on standard 18s that have been painted (badly) in the past. Last couple months I’ve been having issues with tyres losing pressure but not going entirely flat. Finally got our local tyre place to check them and there are apparently issues and they have suggested removing the tyres and sorting out the inside of the rims where they suspect the rubbish paint finish is the issue. £30 a corner. 
 

Thing is, I’ve been wondering about having the wheels resprayed properly for a while now and wondered if this now might be the time? And for ease I’m contemplating buying a cheap set of standard Octavia wheels/tyres to use while they’re being done with the potential that these are then used in the future as winter wheels. The low profile tyres are a bit of a PIA in the grotty, muddy, salty winter months, especially if I’m forking out for a proper respray. 
 

Anyone else have issues with ‘leaking’ alloys like this? Thoughts on cheap wheel options? 

Leaking rims on alloys are common on older cars...yours is 10 years old so it's very likely. I have had them refinished several years ago on my wife's older Sirion and they've held pressure perfectly since. 

With the 18" wheels running on low profile 225/40R18 tyres for the past 10 years, you might find that the rims are no longer round. Before forking out for a repaint, get them checked to make sure they aren't buckled, bent, damaged, out of round, etc.

 

All of the early Octavia MK3 VRS models (petrol and diesel) have the big 340x30mm front brake discs, so need at least 17" rims to clear the front brake calipers.

 

If you're looking for winter tyres, perhaps use 205/50R17 tyres which when fitted to 6Jx17 ET48 rims are approved for snow chains. If you don't need snow chains, an alternative non-standard rim for this 205/50R17 tyre size is 6.5x17 ET38 5/112 57.1 (from Kodiaq).

 

6Jx17 ET48 5/112 57.1 alloy rims CRYSTAL (205/50R17 when fitted to the Octavia MK3)

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/alu-kola/c/alloyWheels?q=%3AscoreDesc%3ArimDiameter%3A17%22%3AcarType%3AOctavia%2BIII%2B%282017%2B%29&text=#

 

Alcar 9021 6.5Jx17 ET38 5/112 57.1 steel rim (from Kodiaq) (205/50R17 when fitted to the Octavia MK3)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=639488607098246256&rimCode=ALCAR9021

 

6.5Jx17 ET38 5/112 57.1 alloy rim NANUQ (from Kodiaq) (205/50R17 when fitted to the Octavia MK3)

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/alu-kola/c/alloyWheels?q=%3AscoreDesc%3ArimDiameter%3A17%22%3AcarType%3AKodiaq%2BI%2B%282016-2024%29

 

Edited 31 October, 20241 yr by Carlston

Thanks for the input chaps. 
 

Plenty of second hand sets of 17s for Skoda/VW in this neck of the woods so I’m tempted to find a set of those with decent tyres on for the winter and then get the proper rims checked and sorted. 
 

Anything to watch out for in terms of wheel size beyond the obvious correct PCD?

18 hours ago, MiniMan64 said:

Plenty of second hand sets of 17s for Skoda/VW in this neck of the woods so I’m tempted to find a set of those with decent tyres on for the winter and then get the proper rims checked and sorted. 
 

Anything to watch out for in terms of wheel size beyond the obvious correct PCD?

 

17" rim specification for Octavia MK3 (when using 225/45R17 tyre size) 

5/112 BCD (5 bolts holes spaced on a 112mm pitch circle diameter...often called Bolt Circle Diameter when used in conjunction with car wheels)

57.1 (57.1mm hub centre bore)

ET45 to ET51 with the 225/45R17 tyre size (standard 17" rim sizes on the Octavia MK3 for 225/45R17 tyre size are 7Jx17 ET49 and 7.5Jx17 ET51)

alloy rims are machined for wheel bolts with a ball type seat (aka spherical)...all VAG rims that will fit the Octavia MK3 will be machined to use this type of wheel bolt seat. Many aftermarket rims will be machined for the other common type of wheel bolt seat, which is the cone type wheel bolt seat (aka conical). BMW use this type of seat.

 

Take a look in the Skoda accessory catalogue to see alloy rims with the standard 17" rim specifications for the Octavia MK3.

 

Note that with the 225/45R17 tyre size, narrower 7J rims will provide slightly more protection from kerbing damage and a slightly better ride than fitting this tyre size to wider 7.5J rim. However, perhaps consider using the Scout 17" tyre and rim size, ie. 225/50R17 fitted to a 7Jx17 ET45 rim. This has much better rim protection from kerbing damage and ride comfort compared to the 225/45R17. It has a 1.5% bigger outside diameter than the slightly oversize 235/35R19 some some owners have fitted to their 19" rims.  

 

7Jx17 ET49 alloy rim 5E0071497A 8Z8 (from Octavia MK3)

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/alu-kola/c/alloyWheels?q=%3AscoreDesc%3AcarType%3AOctavia%2BIII%2B%282017%2B%29%3ArimDiameter%3A17%22&text=#

 

7Jx17 ET45 alloy rim 5E0071497F HA7 (from Octavia MK3)

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/alu-kolo-nivalis-17-octavia-iii/p/5E0071497F+HA7

 

7Jx17 ET45 alloy rim 57A071497C 8Z8 (from Karoq)

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/alu-kola/c/alloyWheels?q=%3AscoreDesc%3ArimDiameter%3A17%22%3AcarType%3AKaroq%2B%282017%2B%29

 

Edited 10 November, 20241 yr by Carlston

I'd be tempted to either get a set of good second hand OE wheels, or go to Revo.

 

My personal preference would be to get a wheel with the correct hub - avoid spigot rings (so either OE, VAG, Revo, Racingline, etc).

Yeah, I’m basically trawling Marketplace but it’s slimming pickings down in the deep dark south west.

 

Something like these 

Merc rims won’t fit straight on - same PCD but you’ll need spigot rings. If you’re going to go OEM, may as well go for a VAG group brand.

 

I’m also pretty sure running Merc wheels on a Skoda is illegal!!! 

I had a feeling Merc on Skoda might evoke some emotions! 
 

The VW set are my preference too, just need to check they fit, are not crap and see if I can get them any cheaper! 

Should a set of Audi C6 225/55 17s fit on a VRS? A friend has offered me a set cheap? 
 

or are they too wide? 

ET in audi wheels tend to differ quite a lot from Skoda wheels. What is ET of the wheels? (Usually smaller so they wud come out, and maybe affect handling).

 

Moreover 225/55R17 is taller than Scout wheels. Are you trying to lift your VRS 😁

 

And some Audi wheels have bigger center hole.

Edited 3 December, 20241 yr by RattleWagon
Typo

Yeah I suspect they might be a bit high but tbh, I’m after temporary winter wheels to deal with the pothole-strewn mess that are Devon’s greenlanes pretending to a proper roads in the winter. They’re not exactly VRS alloy friendly! 
 

might be useful for a forthcoming trip to the Pyrenees too!