Hi there.

I hope the collective knowledge here can help me.

I have a 2018 Octavia VRS. Love the car.

Love the looks. But I’m not a fan of the butter like wheel strength from the 19” xtreme alloys.

I thought I would explore fitting 18” xtreme replica alloys to the car.

Thus retaining the look.

But with the right tyre putting a bit more rubber between me and the terrible UK roads. (Both road surface and rim orotection).

My reasons are simple. I have already minor damage to 2 of the wheels and now my garage tell me I have a buckled wheel too.

Also with replicas being priced at as much to buy 4 versus one genuine wheel and st a size that give me a fighting chance of protecting them a bit better seems sensible idea.

I can get the other 4 originals repaired (I hope and pop them back in when I go to sell the car).

But I wish to ask for this advice.

Anybody have a good experience with a particular manufacturer of these type of wheels? If so can you point me towards them please?

Also can any tyre gurus give me some advice for tyre size to retain the cars speedo setting and general handling?

Ii feel a 235 width tyre will also give me more rim protection.

But I’m at a loss as so what profile to go for.

And finally. Would the space saver intended for the car be the right size for these new 18” alloys?

Thanks in advance.

Sy

I'll let others jump on this thread, but it's a common question. You can see I had the same debate here.

The only thing I'll say is please avoid replica wheels. They are cheap, heavy and often are prone to failures (be it structural or finish). I've seen two people go into a pothole (well, a bomb crater). The first, with OE Audi wheels, suffered two punctures and a buckled wheel. The second, in a Leon with aftermarket wheels, suffered two blowouts and two cracked wheels.

A set of 18" Gemini wheels will serve you well, however if you want a nice look, then options from Racingline, Revo, Team Dynamics and a few more offer 18x7.5/8J wheels in 5x112 PCD with a 57.1mm CB, so no spigot rings are required. Revo and Racingline are nice, as they even use the factory hardware (bolts, lockers, etc).

The cheapest brand worth looking at are Bola. They are heavy, but reasonably solid.

There is a reason genuine OE wheels are so expensive, and why replica wheels are so cheap. You want to be looking, if upgrading, at flow-formed wheels, rather than cast. At the very least, low pressure casting is preferable (however many companies say they do low pressure casting, even if they don't). Googling Xtreme replicas, I can see some 'OMI' wheels. They don't seem the worst things in the world, but I wouldn't run those on my car. You get what you pay for, and I just wouldn't be comfortable running £130-a-piece wheels.

A 225/40R18 is the direct match for a 225/35R19. I would be tempted to stick with this. A 235 won't offer any more grip, it won't offer that much protection, and it will be a lot more expensive (225/40R18 is a very common size).

Your best bet, IMO, would be to pick up some nice condition 18" OE Gemini wheels, and then sell the 19s. You can sell the car with with 18s on it and, if you're that keen to go for the Xtreme look, can even get them refurbed in a gloss black/diamond cut finish. Like this.

That’s really helpful.

I need also to get the bumped one repaired. But finding a (local to Bristol) firm is proving problematic.

I will speak to the guy who I’ve used previously for refunds who he’d trust.

I will add. Currently have the nastiest tyres on the car (it came with them).

I’ve always liked Goodyear F1 asymmetric. Whatever version is the current one.

Do you think this has a stiffer side wall that may help if I stick with what I’ve got?

Or would run flats be a idea to give protection from the craters we laughingly call roads?

Again thanks your help.

Don't bother with run flats - they are expensive and offer awful ride. A more rigid carcass will, if anything reduce the quality of ride.

If you are concerned with pure comfort but don't want 17", then going to an 18" with some sort of all-season tyre would be the best bet.

UHP summer tyres are often stiffer and nosier than other tyres, whilst also having a softer compound and thus not lasting as long.

I swear by PS5s, but my use case is likely a bit different to yours.

Thank you again.

I think what I’ll ultimately do is…

Get the wheel repaired and some refurb work on the others.

Then go for Goodyear F1 asymmetric’s at 235 45 19. (A little wider to offer a medium of rim protection). And as you say a sport tyre will have stiff side wall then all good.

I understand the change of size from 225 45 19 will give me a more accurate Speedo.

So no more 73 or 63 on cruise in the average speed camera smart motorways for me.

Also could be potentially cheaper per tyre due to being a more popular size.

But at the cost of the refurb and wheel repair it’s significantly more cost effective than a set of 18”s. And I get to keep the wheel pattern I like too

If any of this to be rebutted. Please do let me know.

Regards.

No. IMO a 235/45R19 is too large. You'll have an 8% speedo inaccuracy, meaning at 60mph true you'll be seeing 55mph (when you should be seeing 62mph or so). That is nearing the legal limit of speedo inaccuracy.

https://www.willtheyfit.com

Will you have issues with clearances? I'm not sure. I know several people that run 245 or even 255 on their Octavia, but that's with an 8.5J wheel and non-standard suspension.

A 235 is also the maximum tyre you should ideally put on a 7.5J wheel.

https://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/tyre-equivalence-advice.html

As a rule of thumb, you can change one thing, but one increment. So, going from a 225 to 235, or a 40 profile to a 45. Your stock profile is 35, so even going to 235/40R19 isn't ideal, let alone a 45 profile.

@Carlston will be able to advise more, but IMO a 235/45R19 is not a good idea. That is of course not to mention that, AFAIK, the tyre size is not type approved for the car.

Oops.

I’m so glad I asked.

I was (for some reason). I think it’s the heat, thinking I had 225 45 19.

You are right. 225 35 19.

So for clarity. And until I can plunge my head in ice to cool it off.

235 35 ZR19 will be fine?

You and I both - I can feel my brain shrivelling up.

235/35R19 will be absolutely fine. Going to this size will change the speedo inaccuracy, but we're talking 0.7% (I think it was). You can still do 52 in a 50 - you'll just be doing 50.4mph rather than 50.1mph. 235 is a very common size - if I were to go up to 19" (albeit with a wider wheel) that is the size I would go for. They tend to be cheaper too.

Technically a 235 is on the upmost end of what you want to use on a 7.5" wheel, but it'll be fine. Be aware though that the increase in grip... won't.... and if the design of the Xtreme is anything like the 18" Gemini, then going up a width still won't offer any rim protection.

22 minutes ago, Sharky73 said:

235 35 ZR19 will be fine?

As you can see in the chart below, ETRTO lists an 8" minimum rim width for a 235/35 tyre.

The Octavia Mk3 eXtreme alloy rim is 7.5Jx19.

If you want an alternative to the standard 225/35R19, perhaps consider 225/40R19. This would raise the gearing by 3.5%...although some might find this acceptable in order to better protect the 19" rim from potholes.

ETRTO approved rim widths for passenger car tyres

235/70 6.0-7.0-8.0

235/65 6.5-7.0-8.5

235/60 6.5-7.0-8.5

235/55 6.5-7.5-8.5

235/50 6.5-7.5-8.5

235/45 7.5-8.0-9.0

235/40 8.0-8.5-9.5
235/35 8.0-8.5-9.5

Edited 12 August, 202512 Aug by Carlston