I think the 20 mm spacers will work ok with 17's wheels et 54

But the 18's are wider(7,5j) and a lower offset(not sure if is 51) and that make them rubbing

I think the 20 mm spacers will work ok with 17's wheels et 54

But the 18's are wider(7,5j) and a lower offset(not sure if is 51) and that make them rubbing

Very valid point; can anyone clarify the spec of 18" Zeniths?

7.5 ET51 I'm sure.

Yes, 20mms would be no problem at all with the 17" wheels.

7.5 ET51 I'm sure.

Yes, 20mms would be no problem at all with the 17" wheels.

How does that work as the 17" wheels have wider sidewalls on the tyres so they are the same overall size.

Do the 17" zeniths and 18" zeniths have the same ET etc?

This is the way I understand it.

17" Zeniths are 7J ET54. 18" Zeniths are 7.5J ET51.

So the 18s are 12.7mm wider, so if they had the same offset as the 17s they would stick out 6.3mm further. But the 18s have an offset of 3mm less, so they stick out a total of 3.3mm further than the 17s.

Its only the very outside edge of the sidewall thats clipping the arch, so 3mm less I'm sure would be ok, therefore I'm sure 17s would be fine with 20mm spacers.

I remember years back wheel spacers had bad press. It was said they were not safe! they were a weak link between hub and wheel esp when cornering hard.

This is the way I understand it.

17" Zeniths are 7J ET54. 18" Zeniths are 7.5J ET51.

So the 18s are 12.7mm wider, so if they had the same offset as the 17s they would stick out 6.3mm further. But the 18s have an offset of 3mm less, so they stick out a total of 3.3mm further than the 17s.

Its only the very outside edge of the sidewall thats clipping the arch, so 3mm less I'm sure would be ok, therefore I'm sure 17s would be fine with 20mm spacers.

The difference from 17 to 18 is like this:

-inner clearance 3mm less (the inside of the wheel to the strut housing)

-outer position extend an extra 9mm (position of the ouside edge of the wheel)

I did a bit of search for my next purchase of zenith on 17' and I got them numbers

If you add the spacers they are out 29 mm more compare with original 17' in your case!

I remember years back wheel spacers had bad press. It was said they were not safe! they were a weak link between hub and wheel esp when cornering hard.

I imagine if your cornering hard enough to break a TUV approved spacer, you are probably driving a bit to hard anyway

Chris

I remember years back wheel spacers had bad press. It was said they were not safe! they were a weak link between hub and wheel esp when cornering hard.

I am thinking about a set based on Bahnstormers experience, but must admit I have this nagging doubt in my mind, and I have been known to explore the handling in my octy from time to time

It looks like there are essentialy 2 types of hubcentrics, Bolt through were extended bolts go through the spacer and into the original hub, and bolt on, were the spacers bolt to the hub and the wheel olts to the spacer.

I did have hubcentric spacers fitted to my old Scirocco GTi back in around 1991 ish and must admit nothing snapped or fell off and that had some serious thrappings at the odd track day and GTi international etc and was running an RE2000 motor from GTi engineering at the time with around 170bhp (wow .... trust me, it was a lot back then)

The difference from 17 to 18 is like this:

-inner clearance 3mm less (the inside of the wheel to the strut housing)

-outer position extend an extra 9mm (position of the ouside edge of the wheel)

I did a bit of search for my next purchase of zenith on 17' and I got them numbers

If you add the spacers they are out 29 mm more compare with original 17' in your case!

I think thats wrong, I think the 3mm is extra on the outside, and 9mm on the inside.

Just to add my 2p a little later on down this thread, glad that the spacers fit and I guess that you need to drive a bit more like 'us' Superb driver's not to get any rubbin............

Looking good mate and I reckon this needs slamming!!!

I am thinking about a set based on Bahnstormer's experience, but must admit I have this nagging doubt in my mind, and I have been known to explore the handling in my octy from time to time

I did some extensive measuring and calculation and worked out that the 15mm spacers with 17" Pegasus (or Zenith) wheels (ET54) put the Tread of the tyre on the same piece of road as my 18" B14 ET45 wheels (well actually the tyre tread is 3mm further out; insignificant IMHO).

So if the tyre tread is in the same position, the 'hub loading' of both wheels has to, logically, be the same. Conclusion IMHO as there is no change in loading it is Safe and OK.

I am after all only putting the tyres of my 17s in the same place as the tyres of my 18s; that are OEM approved

It looks like there are essentially 2 types of hubcentrics, Bolt through were extended bolts go through the spacer and into the original hub, and bolt on, were the spacers bolt to the hub and the wheel bolts to the spacer.

The 'bolt on' spacers are min. 20mm as they need to be thick enough for the head of the bolt to be recessed; so 15mm spacers are 'bolt through'. Simlpe really.

Yeah, thats also an option!

I'm going to leave them on for now and just not drive like loon!

You aint driving like a loon with 29.3 M.P.G

Fitted 20mm spacers. Works well. Not as much as an improvments as when i did the same on a mk3 ibiza, but good nevertheless.

Details.

FSD (not lowered) fitted vRS Derv Estate w' 18" std wheel.

Vert very occasional arch LINER rub over the worst speed humps.

Chris

Anyone interested in a set of 15mm Eibach spacers?

See here;- http://briskoda.net/forums/items-sale/pegasus-17-alloys-15mm-eibach-spacers/113335/

Any update on the spacers issue.....I'd like to widen the track of my VRS with 18" Zeniths. 15mm or 20mm and where can I get them?

For 18s, 15mm hubcentric spacers with wheel bolts for the back work well, leave the fronts without. For 17s go for 20mm on the back and 5mm on the front.

Assuming you are using the Zeniths of course.

Yep, I'm on Zeniths. Why back only? I want to widen the front too really, looks too skinny as standard. Any idea where I can get them?

Yep, I'm on Zeniths. Why back only? I want to widen the front too really, looks too skinny as standard. Any idea where I can get them?

I bought mine (see posts above) from Demon Tweeks.

I was thinking of 15mm spacers. But im not sure as someone told me the rear track is wider on the estate than the saloon . Is that true ?

What spacers do people recommend for a Octy 2 VRS TDI estate with 18" Zeniths ?

I was thinking of 15mm spacers. But im not sure as someone told me the rear track is wider on the estate than the saloon . Is that true ?

NO - Just checked the brochure. Track for both Hatch and Estate is 1539mm - front, and 1528mm rear.

What spacers do people recommend for a Octy 2 VRS TDI estate with 18" Zeniths ?

15mm are fine, but 20mm will rub the wheel arches at the rear.

18" Zeniths are 7.5J ET51 (AFAIK) and with 15mm spacers equate to ET36.

Here is a pic of my vRS with 18" B14s that are 8J and ET45 these will have the external edge of the wheel/tyre sitting about 4mm inboard of a 18" Zenith with 15mm spacers.

Alternatively, here is a pic of 17" Pegasus wheels that are 7J and ET54 with 15mm spacers; these will sit about the same position as Zeniths, give or take 1mm!

How's that?

.... and finally for good measure a pic of my current wheels that are 17" x 7.5J and ET45 (no spacers); sitting a couple of mm inboard of the B14s;-

Edited 13 February, 200917 yr by bahnstormer vrs

Might have some 15mm Hubcentric Spacers and longer wheel bolts for sale.............:P

Might have some 15mm Hubcentric Spacers and longer wheel bolts for sale.............:P

Talk to me fella...where are you and what are you after?

Talk to me fella...where are you and what are you after?

Drop me a PM mate so we can not clog up this thread...........

Might have some 15mm Hubcentric Spacers and longer wheel bolts for sale.............:P

Have you got any left ?