Steel wheels for winter tyres - GTI

[ben4012]

A quick update as it's that time of year and there may be a few looking. I also thought the answer would be useful in the first post.

I noticed recently that the correct winter wheel size (as stated on the fuel cap) for late GTI models is 195 50 16.

The spare is also a 16" rim (with a 185 50 16 for reference) which backs up my suspicion that late models have 312mm discs.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/21518r1xzs7k2 ... d.pdf?dl=0 shows various wheel tyre combinations across the VW range including a 15" wheel for the GTI. Obviously there is a discrepancy between this reference document and what's actually on the car. Whether this is a UK market thing or something else I don't know.

The combination which is correct and worked well for me last year is 195 50 16 on a 16x6.5j ET42 from a new beetle.



First post, so hello to everyone.

I have a GTI on order and have found lots of useful bits on here which will help me when mine arrives. Hopefully I can contribute as I get to know the car.

I have had a good look though the threads for winter wheels, the closest I can find to what I need is this one

http://www.uk-polos.net/view ... 56&t=54175

I have a set of 16x6.5j ET42 steel wheels from a new beetle which I was intending to use on my previous mkIV golf. I have done a scale drawing and am happy that the wheel will fit with no issues and am now looking at getting hold of some winter rubber in the lull before winter proper.

I have calculated that the diameter of the 215/40r17 is 60.38cm. A 205/50r16 is a good width for the rim and the diameter is 61.4cm so only 1.2% bigger. A 215/45r16 is 59.99cm and a 195/50r16 is 60.14cm so a better diameter but not such a good match for the rim.

I believe the spare is 16"? Please can someone tell me what the wheel width and ET is for the spare wheel and the the size of the spare tyre on the GTI as it would make sense to match that size if possible?

[ben4012]

Bump.

Just the size of the spare wheel and tyre would be useful. Thanks in advance.

[phill_11]

On my Blue GT which runs on 215 40 x 17 as standard on a 17" alloy, I have approached VW who suggested for a 16" winter wheel, to run the size as used on a Polo standard 16" wheel. So I have purchased 215 45 x 16 from Oponeo tyres (online sales) and bought the Pirelli Sotto Zero. That tyre size is listed as an approved size for VW Polo 6R and is on the label with pressures fitted to the car. The range of winter tyres is somewhat limited in this size but I found about seven makes available online.

[ben4012]

Thanks a lot Phil, that is really useful. Is that on a 7j x 16?

[Mart!n-GTI-DK]

215 is waaaay to wide for a 6" wide wheel... You need 185 max for those... So I hope they are 7" wide.

As a rule : A skinny tire is better than a wide one in the snow.

I have bought a set of 15x6" Audi A3 Pepperpot alloys for my BlueGT and fitted 185/60-15 tires as is the stock size for 15x6" wheels on a Polo.

[phill_11]

Yes, 7 x 16 ET46 Syenit genuine VW Polo 6R wheels from eBay. Due to the larger brake set up on GTI and Blue GT, VW UK advised that me that not all 15" alloys could be guaranteed to fit. Plus, winter tyres in UK are not studded as found in Scandinavian countries so whilst narrower tyres are preferable to cut into snow, they are not mandatory leaving the choice to you.

[wigit]

At least VW Germany what 15s fit the GTI/GT

http://www.volkswagen-zubehoer.de/filea ... 2_engl.pdf

Still making my mind up on 15 or 16s

[phill_11]

Typical, VW UK taking the safe option and advising that not all 15" wheels will fit whilst VW Germany tell you exactly which wheels to use for winter!

[wigit]

the more i look into this the more i reckon i'll run it on 15" steelies, looking around there are 15" steelies that are designed for 6R, am i bad for wanting a H speed rating

[Mart!n-GTI-DK]

My BlueGT is equiped with the same brakes as the GTI and I have no problem getting the Pepperpots on.

I know the material is a bit thinner than most 15" alloys but they do fit. (Some say they are made from magnesium... Not sure if this is correct)

But 15" steel wheels should fit.

Testfit A3 pepperpots:

[sony]

Would any genuine VW steel wheel fit?

Such as these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Beetle-6-5 ... 33850f3c93

[ben4012]

Would any genuine VW steel wheel fit?

Such as these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Beetle-6-5 ... 33850f3c93

Yes, they are the same as I have. PCD and bore wise they are spot on. They are slightly narrower than the standard 7j ones so they neither protrude further outwards or sit further inwards than the 7j ones even though the offset is slightly different.

Having read through the replies above, it is not a stock polo size so I am not sure of the insurance etc implications. I've decided to run 195 50 16 or 205 45 16 depending on which is the best price at the time. Both rolling diameters are smaller than the 215 40 17 and larger than the standard wheels on the S, so shouldn't affect ABS and traction control.

[sony]

Bump!

[wigit]

Would any genuine VW steel wheel fit?

Such as these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Beetle-6-5 ... 33850f3c93

on the Blue GT the alloys are 7J and ET38, based on the 6.5J and ET47 stated in the advert the wheels outer edge site 15mm further in and the indide edge 3mm further in. I use a wheel calculator

http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Of ... or#Results

for me i wouldn't go down this route, i'm going to go for some German made 15" steelies that fit the GTI/GT given the wider tyre choice and in reality I am not going to be too worried about scuffs, annoying thing is they are all black and i'd like silver

[POLOS]

My BlueGT is equiped with the same brakes as the GTI and I have no problem getting the Pepperpots on.

I know the material is a bit thinner than most 15" alloys but they do fit. (Some say they are made from magnesium... Not sure if this is correct)

But 15" steel wheels should fit.

Testfit A3 pepperpots:

Not mag. Forged!!