Si_GTi's progress thread. Status: FOR SALE

[bradley1983]

What is the deal with everyone changing their wheels in winter?

[BIG RHYS]

keep your mint wheels mint !! lol

[bradley1983]

so you saying because it gets cold and your wheels get dirty buy another set???

[Tim_GTi]

Yep, come winter I become less enthusiastic about washing the car weekly/fortnightly, especially when I have to de-frost the hose pipe every time I want to do it.

Winter wheels would have originated from people who have polished wheels during the summer months, which are a pig to look after in the nicest of weather. Bring rain, frost, salt, and maybe even snow and they don't stand a chance. (my ATS Cups lips got destroyed in two weeks, and ironically enough they were my winter wheels at the time!) this is where winter wheels come in. Wheels that will often have a painted finish, something which would last bad weather without the need for a 3 hour polish every week.

People have then just taken this behaviour on, whether they have high maintenance wheel or not I guess.

I change wheels because:

a) The lips stick out a mile on my Monos and it's nice to not have to worry as much about them.
b) My Monos scrub, so it's nice to have an alternative which doesn't.
c) Despite a few curb marks they are spotless. Leaving them without washing for longer would lead to brake dust spots etc.. which are a pain to get off.
d) and most importantly, it's nice to have a change

Sorry Si, got a bit sidetracked!

[6N2 GTI 00]

Well said Tim

Its that time of year again for the winter wheels

[Si_GTi]

Yeah, part of it is that its nice to have a change and do something different. Also, I've been wanting to get the Borbets off and put on some wheels with a more "normal" offset (ET43 in this case!) because as Tim says, you haven't got to worry about your summer show wheels then.

I plan to either sell the Borbets and buy some BBS RX2s, or simply get the Borbets refurbed for next year.

Talking of the RX2s, another reason for not running those wheels through WInter is simply that as a split-rim alloy, there is a good chance that the winter grime and salt will get in and start eating away at them!

Hit a bit of a setback today, had an odd "thumpity-thump" noise develop yesterday from under the car and took it to the garage today. My wallet is now over £100 lighter after having to replace the nearside front wheel bearing!

Still, first one in over 7 years of ownership. Not bad I guess.

[shantybeater]

good to see you are still kicking about si!, i might be rejoining the uk-p collective in a few months

[Tim_GTi]

good to see you are still kicking about si!, i might be rejoining the uk-p collective in a few months

Oh aye?!

[shantybeater]

yup check the mk5 section

[Si_GTi]

BUMP!

Anyone want to buy a Polo GTi? I went out today to test drive a new toy, popped a deposit down too

Can't have two cars so the Polo has to go!!

[alexperkins]

What did you test drive Si ?

[Si_GTi]

Something German, with a supercharger. Not a dub!

[alexperkins]

ooo nice. beemer?

[Si_GTi]

Not a beemer my friend! I might as well tell all...

Its an R53 Mini Cooper S with a cat-back blueflame exhaust, DaveF airbox and Alta Performance 15% pulley kit. I wanted a mk5 Golf GTI really but this is half the price and three times as much fun, its a real hoot to drive! Pick it up in about 10 days

[alexperkins]

Ahh nice. Went for the golf myself Was tempted by a JCW GP mini cooper S though