Help with wheels and coilovers

[JammyLuke]

Can anyone help me with what wheels these are and how much the car has been lowered?

Thanks!

http://imgur.com/a8TGknh

[SRGTD]

The wheels are BBS SR's. Looks as if they're available as 7.5J x 17 (ET48) and 8J x 18 (ET48) for the 6C/6R Polo - option of two finishes; Satin Grey or Dark Grey with polished face. If I was considering these, I'd go for the 17's as 18's may give rubbing issues.

http://www.rimstyle.com/alloywheels/whe ... anthracite

Don't know what the offset and width is of the wheels on your SEL (most Polos have an offset of ET46). To work out how much the inner clearance (distance between suspension strut and wheel) changes and how much more/less the front face of the wheel tucks under or protrudes, you can use an offset calculator like the one here;

http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator

Sorry, can't help on how much the Polo in the picture has been lowered by.

[PoloBlueGT]

Looking at the polo if we assume they are 17 inch rims, I would say around 30mm front and 40mm rear but this is only my opinion

[4StringBass]

Agree, BBS SR wheels. They look like 17s by the height of the tyre sidewall. The GTI has about 70mm arch to tyre clearance (I've just measured it) so looks like it's lowered 35-40mm.

[Ape]

Hey Guys I need some helps too with wheel hahaha since I'm new to Car mods and my first step will be where I am planning to change my wheel to 17 inches from my existing wheel which is 185/60 R15. I found a wheel in that has 17 X 7.5J with offset of ET35. Do you guys think this wheel is suitable to change straight from the stock wheel. I think the exisiting wheel offset has 38 or 40 from the website I looked in : https://www.wheel-size.com/size/volkswagen/polo/2012/.

[Ape]

Hey Guys I need some helps too with wheel hahaha since I'm new to Car mods and my first step will be where I am planning to change my wheel to 17 inches from my existing wheel which is 185/60 R15. I found a wheel in that has 17 X 7.5J with offset of ET35. Do you guys think this wheel is suitable to change straight from the stock wheel. I think the exisiting wheel offset has 38 or 40 from the website I looked in : https://www.wheel-size.com/size/volkswagen/polo/2012/. I just a bit worried if it will start to rub onto car since I'll be taking this car for a drive to Germany from London and will be carrying two american/Canadian at the back passanger with heavy laugage . I by they way drive Polo 2012 1.2 Also planning to lower the car after if the wheel is possible to change and wonder if that will rub the car too...
Thank you

[SRGTD]

Hey Guys I need some helps too with wheel hahaha since I'm new to Car mods and my first step will be where I am planning to change my wheel to 17 inches from my existing wheel which is 185/60 R15. I found a wheel in that has 17 X 7.5J with offset of ET35. Do you guys think this wheel is suitable to change straight from the stock wheel. I think the exisiting wheel offset has 38 or 40 from the website I looked in : https://www.wheel-size.com/size/volkswagen/polo/2012/.

Ape, based on the link you've posted, if the wheel spec figures quoted are for the Polo sold in the U.K., then as you've said, your current 15" wheels will have an offset of either ET38 or ET40. You also need to factor in the extra width of the 17" wheels you're planning on fitting compared to your current wheels when considering whether or not you'll have any issues with rubbing.

If your current wheels are ET38, a 17 x 7.5J wheel with an offset of ET35 will mean the following;
- 16mm less clearance between the inner face of the wheel and suspension strut housing
- the front face of the wheel will protrude an extra 22mm

If your current wheels have are ET40, the figures are 14mm less inner clearance and the front face will protrude an extra 24mm with a 17 x 7.5J ET35 wheel.

You might find offset calculator below useful in future;
http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator#

You will also need wider tyres than your current tyres. VW fit 215/40 R17 to Polos with 17" wheels. With the tyres fitted, this adds approximately an extra 25mm to the overall width of the wheel (12.5mm to the inner face and 12.5mm to the outer face).

ET35 is quite an aggressive offset - by way of comparison, the 17" VW Motorsport alloys I have fitted to my Polo GTI have an offset of ET46 and the standard Parabolica 17" alloys on the Polo GTI have an offset of ET44). With your car fully loaded with passengers and luggage, I think there is a possibility you may have an issue with rubbing, especially if you are also looking to lower your car. Other forum members who have fitted wider wheels and lowered their cars might be able to advise you on how wide and low you can safely go without rubbing, based on their experiences.

If modifying your car is new to you, bear in mind that you will need to declare any modifications you make to your insurer. I would suggest you check with your insurer that they are happy to accept mods such as larger wheels and lowered suspension before you go ahead and make any changes; some insurers are OK with mods but may charge you extra premium, whereas some are not happy to cover modified cars.

[4StringBass]

^^ Agree with this. An ET35 is going to push your wheels out 24mm further than they are now. That's 9mm wider than a stock GTI wheel is. This is likely to catch the arches when lowered, and if in the UK, may give you grief with the Police as the tyre cannot extend beyond the wheel arch without a cover/protector.

Speak to your wheel supplier and see if they do a different offset in the wheel you like. A 7"x17" wide wheel will still take a 215/40 tyre, so worth checking that too as an option.

[Ape]

Thank you so much guys for the tips and info! I had no idea that I had to inform to my insurer lol. I guess I have to contact to my insurer first and find out if they would accepted. Yeah also I noticed that ET35 and 7.5 Inch wide was gonna be too aggressive so I decided to stick to maybe 17 x 7j plus after checking the wheel again (the one I was gonna buy) turn out I didn't like it anymore hahaha. Thank you again for the help guys! Polo <3