The Gemini wheels on my Octavia have been refurbed badly and they won’t last the winter. A quality diamond cut job is going to be around £600 all in.

I’m considering ditching them and putting on some Revo RF0. They’re a beautiful wheel, with VAG CB (they even use the OE bolts).

My question is, should I stick with 18” or go up to 19”? Of course the vRS came with either 18” Gemini or 19” Xtreme, so either will work.

As far as I can tell, the 19” wheels will -

• Look better (subjectively)

• Cost more

• Cost more in tyres

• Be heavier (8.85kg vs 10kg)

• Offer a worse ride

I’m having a hard time seeing why I’d go for the 19” over the 18”. They’re both 8J, so I wouldn’t be looking at more than 235 in either case. I’m not overly fussed about the price, but it is a consideration - I know 235/35R19 is an expensive size. Clearance for a BBK isn’t really relevant, although I can happily live with worse ride and more weight (still lighter than OE).

Any thoughts appreciated.

18s definitely. You can fit tyres with a larger sidewall. Very important here in the UK, with the state of the roads. More comfortable too. I had a Cupra with OEM 19s, and fitted 18s. I’ve a Yeti now with OEM 17s. I’ll be fitting VW 16s I’ve just bought.

Unless you live in one of those rare enclaves with billiard table smooth roads, I would go for the 18s. In most of the UK the road surfaces are too poor for biggest size possible.

On my previous car I ran 18s with 45 profile summer tyres (that it came with) and 16 inch with 60 profile winter tyres, and every April when I changed back I cursed as it crashed and jolted on potholes and badly filled holes with raised tarmac, which didn't happen with 16s.

Depending on the choice of rims you buy seriously affects any vanity (looks), the dark rims hide deeper tyres, and the silver ones don't look good if you kerb them. It is not just the size that affects looks, it is style and colour too. Be honest with yourself, why were you considering refurbishing existing wheels, probably because you hit kerbs (and don't come out with waffle excuses the kerbs hit you because you always drive perfectly).

if it was me, go for smaller size wheels, and also fit premium all season tyres, then you can enjoy it all year round, without worry.

This is a link to Skoda wheels catalogue (should be available through parts dept), note some types come in multiple colours (and in my opinion so colours look better)

https://www.skoda-auto.com/_doc/6d5c59b3-5d97-451a-ab78-2ef185e6e373

12 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

Any thoughts appreciated.

Really? Are you sure?

What is the absolute smallest size wheels you can fit with tyres with biggest sidewall height, if it wasn't for fashion, size of brakes, 15" would easily have been big enough even for overweight VWs.

So I think that puts me in the 18" camp. 😄

26 minutes ago, nta16 said:

Really? Are you sure?

What is the absolute smallest size wheels you can fit with tyres with biggest sidewall height, if it wasn't for fashion, size of brakes, 15" would easily have been big enough even for overweight VWs.

So I think that puts me in the 18" camp. 😄

Well, as of recent, that might be a foolish remark to have made!

I like some nice low profile tyres (by current standards), but I’m also sensible enough to realise that 24” wheels still need 35 or 40 profile tyres. Having a patê of rubber isn’t practical.

49 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

Well, as of recent, that might be a foolish remark to have made!

Why, which part?

16 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

Any thoughts appreciated.

I thought this is what you were questioning!

7 hours ago, Haz_Raf said:

18s definitely. You can fit tyres with a larger sidewall. Very important here in the UK, with the state of the roads. More comfortable too. I had a Cupra with OEM 19s, and fitted 18s. I’ve a Yeti now with OEM 17s. I’ll be fitting VW 16s I’ve just bought.

Good to know. I was quite active on SeatCupra before the Occy, and saw similar. My Leon FR was on 18s with the same tyre size, and part of me wants to go up to 19s to be special. I don't think there's really any other reason.

5 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

Unless you live in one of those rare enclaves with billiard table smooth roads, I would go for the 18s. In most of the UK the road surfaces are too poor for biggest size possible.

On my previous car I ran 18s with 45 profile summer tyres (that it came with) and 16 inch with 60 profile winter tyres, and every April when I changed back I cursed as it crashed and jolted on potholes and badly filled holes with raised tarmac, which didn't happen with 16s.

Depending on the choice of rims you buy seriously affects any vanity (looks), the dark rims hide deeper tyres, and the silver ones don't look good if you kerb them. It is not just the size that affects looks, it is style and colour too. Be honest with yourself, why were you considering refurbishing existing wheels, probably because you hit kerbs (and don't come out with waffle excuses the kerbs hit you because you always drive perfectly).

if it was me, go for smaller size wheels, and also fit premium all season tyres, then you can enjoy it all year round, without worry.

This is a link to Skoda wheels catalogue (should be available through parts dept), note some types come in multiple colours (and in my opinion so colours look better)

https://www.skoda-auto.com/_doc/6d5c59b3-5d97-451a-ab78-2ef185e6e373

I'll have you know I bought the car last year, with poorly refurbed wheels! They're all saveable (just some lacquer peel, really), although there is a pretty big cut in the OSF - guess they must have whacked a kerb pretty hard. I was just taking the opportunity to 'upgrade' a little, as it's clear the diamond cut finish doesn't last long in the UK.

Hand on heart, I have never kerbed a wheel, aside from the Fiesta I learnt it (and I really did whack it). I look a bit of an idiot parallel parking with the door open and leaning out, or when I spend five minutes manoeuvring through car park barriers, but I've never hit a wheel on anything - it's kind of my thing.

I'd be looking at some RF018s in Matt Anthracite. The car is blue, with black everything (grille, trim, spoiler, etc), so silver might look a bit out of place. Gloss black isn't my style, and bronze with blue would give Subaru vibes. The anthracite is very OE, and I think looks quite clean.

I think I've decided to go for 18s. I worked out that, with new tyres (be it 225 or 235), to jump up to 19s I'd be looking at over £2,000, compared with the £1,200 for 18s. Tyre prices are also worth thinking about (all PS5 from Black Circles, not fitted) -

• 225/40R18 - £98

• 225/35R19 - £175

• 235/35R19 - £140

That isn't really justifiable, especially considering I'm trading so much for just looks that I'm not overly fussed about. I think the 18s will look very nearly as good, and I like how the brakes fill out the wheels too.

Maybe if I had DCC or a Superb, it would be different. I've attached a PFL Mk3 wearing them. I did consider Racingline, but the R360 I like only comes in 19", and the 18" options are all 8.5J for a square track setup - so I'd need 235s or even 245s to go on. I might consider going up a size anyway, but I refuse to see how an extra 10mm is really going to improve the handling/traction. Any thoughts?

I have 245/35R 20 Y95 front and 275/30R 20 Y97 rears on my BMW. But when I kerb an alloy it really gets kerbed. As for tyres, £110 each fitted. Just for added excitement in the wet.

Edited 22 July, 202522 Jul by Ootohere

23 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

I have 245/35R 20 Y95 front and 275/30R 20 Y97 rears on my BMW. But when I kerb an alloy it really gets kerbed. As for tyres, £110 each fitted. Just for added excitement in the wet.

Meaty... I'm guessing a 530i or something? A friend has a 640i GC - not the best handling car in the world, but when it goes, it really does go.

£110 fitted, what are you getting put on? I must admit, despite being in the vastly uninhabited depths of wildest Scotland, I found tyres around my family no more expensive than back hame in London. In most cases, actually, they've been cheaper!

I'm in the same boat - the current wheels are 7.5" and with a 225, there really isn't any tyre at all to cover the rim. I suppose that's a good thing though - from a safety standpoint it's probably better to chunk an alloy wheel than a rubber tyre.

On 22/07/2025 at 16:30, OccyVRS said:

£110 fitted, what are you getting put on?

I’m guessing Fichelin Bilot Sports.

17 minutes ago, travs said:

I’m guessing Fichelin Bilot Sports.

I’ve just bought 4 x Cross Climates for me Yeti for £408 fitted (215/65R16).

45 minutes ago, Haz_Raf said:

I’ve just bought 4 x Cross Climates for me Yeti for £408 fitted (215/65R16).

Yeah, but there's a large price gulf between 215/65R16 and 275/30R20!

2 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

Yeah, but there's a large price gulf between 215/65R16 and 275/30R20!

But 65 vs 30. More than double the sidewall. Lots more rubber.

1 minute ago, Haz_Raf said:

But 65 vs 30. More than double the sidewall. Lots more rubber.

Tyre price, really, is determined by the width of the tyre, followed by how popular/common it is.

It's double the sidewall profile, which means it costs less to manufacture. The most expensive tyres are the lowest profile sizes, actually. Width does also play a part too - it's very difficult to manufacture a wide, low profile tyre, compared to a narrow, high profile one.

@Haz_Raf More than double? Are you sure?

But that is how things are when you do get the maths right, 65% of 215 mm, or 30% of 275 mm.

Low profile, XL / reinforced sidewalls, different load / speed ratings, compounds maybe, treads as well.

Bl00dy good handling and comfort is pretty good, but suspension is important there, . occasionally hitting a pot hole can mean a tyre bulge and a replacement needed or even a new wheel.

But then things are what they are, i have cars with small wheels and lots of sidewalls for when the want takes me.

PS,

really as far as difficulty in tyre manufacturing and prices that is for others to bother about.

Check out big sizes that are not Run Flats and there are plenty that are 'Much Cheapness' and not ditch finders. 'BackCircles'

Edited 31 July, 202531 Jul by Ootohere

23 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

@Haz_Raf More than double? Are you sure?

But that is how things are when you do get the maths right, 65% of 215 mm, or 30% of 275 mm.

Low profile, XL / reinforced sidewalls, different load / speed ratings, compounds maybe, treads as well.

Bl00dy good handling and comfort is pretty good, but suspension is important there, . occasionally hitting a pot hole can mean a tyre bulge and a replacement needed or even a new wheel.

But then things are what they are, i have cars with small wheels and lots of sidewalls for when the want takes me.

PS,

really as far as difficulty in tyre manufacturing and prices that is for others to bother about.

Check out big sizes that are not Run Flats and there are plenty that are 'Much Cheapness' and not ditch finders.

Other thing that matters, outside of brand, is if the tyre has a manufacturer approval thingy. I know BMW/Porsche/Audi stamped stuff are insanely expensive compared to the identical (technically) tyre not stamped.