Just wondering if anyone has changed their wheels for another OE version or completely different.

I have been looking into later this year getting my wheels refurbed but there seems to be multiple 5x112 from the VAG group where wheels could fit easily.

Just wondering if also anyone has changed the ET so that they sit more in the arches rather than then using a hub spacer.

Night time picture is mine currently, with the other 2 the OE option

Edited 9 March9 Mar by tombee

Plenty of people have changed. Depends what you want/need from your wheels.

I picked up some pre-loved OE wheels (Vegas as per the sportplus model) as they had winter tyres on. I’m just about to swap back in a couple of weeks. I’d normally go back to the original Trinity wheels but I’ve bought some replacement wheels and they’ll go on instead so the Trinity’s are up for sale now I’ve gotten round to cleaning them properly. I have 12mm spacers (which push the wheel out rather than tucking it back in - you can’t do that with spacers) but the new ones have a lower negative offset (the ET number) by pretty much the same so they will sit about the same but without needing the spacers.

When it comes to fitment, you also want to consider Centre Bore which is the big hole in the middle. Ours are 57.1mm diameter. Aftermarket wheels can have larger centre bores and be supplied with spigot rings which sit on the hub and make up the difference between hub lip diameter and centre bore.

So the question is, what are you looking for from a replacement wheel? Just a bit bored with the current setup?

Edited 9 March9 Mar by travs

Go for the dark wheels. You know it’s right choice…

I previously had the factory 19x8" ET44 Trinity rims with 12mm spacer front & 10mm spacer rear to get the fitment right.

Now I have 19x8.5" ET35 rims. No spacers. Fitment matches that I had before with factory rims + spacers.

The width of rim plus offset (ET) numbers r key to getting the fitment right.

Edited 9 March9 Mar by JR RS

12 hours ago, travs said:

Plenty of people have changed. Depends what you want/need from your wheels.

I picked up some pre-loved OE wheels (Vegas as per the sportplus model) as they had winter tyres on. I’m just about to swap back in a couple of weeks. I’d normally go back to the original Trinity wheels but I’ve bought some replacement wheels and they’ll go on instead so the Trinity’s are up for sale now I’ve gotten round to cleaning them properly. I have 12mm spacers (which push the wheel out rather than tucking it back in - you can’t do that with spacers) but the new ones have a lower negative offset (the ET number) by pretty much the same so they will sit about the same but without needing the spacers.

When it comes to fitment, you also want to consider Centre Bore which is the big hole in the middle. Ours are 57.1mm diameter. Aftermarket wheels can have larger centre bores and be supplied with spigot rings which sit on the hub and make up the difference between hub lip diameter and centre bore.

So the question is, what are you looking for from a replacement wheel? Just a bit bored with the current setup?

Wanting to just be a cheap skate and just get another set of wheels with maybe tyres less than the refurb and tyres would cost to do on my current wheels, along with the less agro of leaving the car with the place for a few days too.

Yes been looking at bore sizing as well for the fitment, so yes maybe a little bored but my current wheels have a lot of bubbling so would like to get them done

12 hours ago, Binx1310 said:

Go for the dark wheels. You know it’s right choice…

Yes I am thinking this but then would show more if and when they get kerbed

11 hours ago, JR RS said:

I previously had the factory 19x8" ET44 Trinity rims with 12mm spacer front & 10mm spacer rear to get the fitment right.

Now I have 19x8.5" ET35 rims. No spacers. Fitment matches that I had before with factory rims + spacers.

The width of rim plus offset (ET) numbers r key to getting the fitment right.

This is what I am thinking if I go for aftermarket wheels or even some VAG ones with a different ET to then not have to have spacers as well.

True on the learning. Mine has a little scuff on the near side rim and it’s very obvious.

Some places do loan wheels I think.

Spacers are fine tbh. There’s a fair amount of concern about the load on the bearings but a small amount won’t be an issue. I use 11mm spacers on mine to push them out a little same as JRRS did. Forge Spacers which come with longer bolts (and I bought longer locking wheel bolts too). The stance is definitely better. Looks less like a fat guy with tiny feet from the rear.

Edited 10 March10 Mar by travs

There's lots of choice for aftermarket wheels which follow the approved VAG wheel dimensions & ET.

You'll find they are 1/4 to 1/3 of the price of OEM wheels.

These are my winter wheels which were €100 per corner.

€220 per corner with premium Conti Winter tyres plus fitting balancing and delivery..

Nothing wrong with what you’ve got apart from the nightmare of cleaning them I suspect?

I’ve got the top ones and bit of a pain

3 hours ago, Gabbo said:

There's lots of choice for aftermarket wheels which follow the approved VAG wheel dimensions & ET.

You'll find they are 1/4 to 1/3 of the price of OEM wheels.

These are my winter wheels which were €100 per corner.

€220 per corner with premium Conti Winter tyres plus fitting balancing and delivery..

Got a link to those?

Edited 10 March10 Mar by Danoid

They are Borbet V Anthracite.

I chose them from the Borbet website using the configurator.

Borbet

Wheel configurator: Find your perfect BORBET wheels

Find the right wheels for your car in the BORBET 3D configurator Configure light alloy wheels directly with ABE, ECE or expert opinion and buy them from your BORBET dealer

I was limited because I wanted the wheels with ECE certificate then it's easier for the Swiss MOT checks but you can choose ones with different ET in the UK so the choice is bigger

This was the original thread I had when looking for winter wheels for my car....

Edited 10 March10 Mar by Gabbo

54 minutes ago, Danoid said:

Nothing wrong with what you’ve got apart from the nightmare of cleaning them I suspect?

I’ve got the top ones and bit of a pain

I don't mind cleaning them just annoys me when I do that they are bubbling underneath the paint

4 hours ago, travs said:

Some places do loan wheels I think.

Spacers are fine tbh. There’s a fair amount of concern about the load on the bearings but a small amount won’t be an issue. I use 11mm spacers on mine to push them out a little same as JRRS did. Forge Spacers which come with longer bolts (and I bought longer locking wheel bolts too). The stance is definitely better. Looks less like a fat guy with tiny feet from the rear.

Spacers would be cheaper unless you get too close to the wheels as they are currently.

3 hours ago, Gabbo said:

There's lots of choice for aftermarket wheels which follow the approved VAG wheel dimensions & ET.

You'll find they are 1/4 to 1/3 of the price of OEM wheels.

These are my winter wheels which were €100 per corner.

€220 per corner with premium Conti Winter tyres plus fitting balancing and delivery..

Yes I have seen a few now but just depends on the style I want, I do like the multispoke syle wheels

7 minutes ago, Gabbo said:

They are Borbet V Anthracite.

I chose them from the Borbet website using the configurator.

Borbet

Wheel configurator: Find your perfect BORBET wheels

Find the right wheels for your car in the BORBET 3D configurator Configure light alloy wheels directly with ABE, ECE or expert opinion and buy them from your BORBET dealer

I was limited because I wanted the wheels with ECE certificate then it's easier for the Swiss MOT checks but you can choose ones with different ET in the UK so the choice is bigger

hours lost with that configurator haha

Factory rims (ET44) with spacers....

Aftermarket rims (ET35), no spacers....

Both r with 245/40R19 tyres.

Edited 10 March10 Mar by JR RS