new alloys

[SRGTD]

wow perfect thank you so much this is great help. so the ones I'm looking to buy are brand new from a alloy specialist company so hopefully won't have any issues about bolts etc. also on their website they it asked for model of car and said that it will fit my polo but just not too sure how much i believe that! https://www.rimstyle.com/rorad-bkg-roma ... iameter=17
these are the ones I'm actually looking at. Do you reckon these would be worth getting or would shopping around further be any better?
thanks

Rimstyle have a good reputation, so I wouldn’t have a problem buying alloys from them.

I just now clicked on the link you posted to the Romac Radium 17” Gloss Black alloys you’re thinking of getting and they currently only have the Gloss Black version in 18” (unless they did have a set in 17” and you’ve just bought them ). Rimstyle should supply everything you need in their fitting kit to fit the wheels on your car. I don’t think locking wheel bolts will be included in the fitting kit - you might want to check with Rimstyle. I’m sure they could supply a set with the correct bolt profile.

Looking at the picture you posted up of your car, I think your existing wheels are actually 15” and not 14” - the tyre size is visible on the bottom of the sidewall in the picture and looks as if it’s a 185/60 R15 tyre (R15 would mean the wheels are 15”). If so, then your current alloys are either VW ‘Castille’ or ‘Riverside’ alloys; both are (I think) 6Jx15 ET40. Assuming this is the correct size, I’ve put the details of your existing wheel/tyre set up and the Romac Radium alloys (7.5Jx17 ET35 with 215/40 R17 tyres) you’re thinking of buying into the calculator on www.willtheyfit.com - screenshot below;

18FE90FD-8C1D-454A-8569-7BBAD94EB035.jpeg (436.43 KiB) Viewed 2000 times

Note that compared to your existing wheels, the outer face of the new wheels will protrude outwards an extra 24.1 mm and the inner face will be 14.1 mm closer to the suspension strut. This should be OK, otherwise Rimstyle wouldn’t have shown this as a wheel that’s suitable for the 6r Polo. However, you might want to just measure 24.1 mm out from the face of your wheels to make sure the face of the wheel doesn’t extend out beyond the bodywork.

If you were planning on fitting your existing VW centre caps to your new alloys, there’s a good chance that they’ll be too small to fit, so you’d either need to keep the centre caps fitted that are supplied with your new alloys, or find a set of VW replacements that will fit. An alternative would be to buy a set of VW centre cap stickers and fit these to the centre caps supplied with your new alloys.

[AP14]

wow perfect thank you so much this is great help. so the ones I'm looking to buy are brand new from a alloy specialist company so hopefully won't have any issues about bolts etc. also on their website they it asked for model of car and said that it will fit my polo but just not too sure how much i believe that! https://www.rimstyle.com/rorad-bkg-roma ... iameter=17
these are the ones I'm actually looking at. Do you reckon these would be worth getting or would shopping around further be any better?
thanks

Rimstyle have a good reputation, so I wouldn’t have a problem buying alloys from them.

I just now clicked on the link you posted to the Romac Radium 17” Gloss Black alloys you’re thinking of getting and they currently only have the Gloss Black version in 18” (unless they did have a set in 17” and you’ve just bought them ). Rimstyle should supply everything you need in their fitting kit to fit the wheels on your car. I don’t think locking wheel bolts will be included in the fitting kit - you might want to check with Rimstyle. I’m sure they could supply a set with the correct bolt profile.

Looking at the picture you posted up of your car, I think your existing wheels are actually 15” and not 14” - the tyre size is visible on the bottom of the sidewall in the picture and looks as if it’s a 185/60 R15 tyre (R15 would mean the wheels are 15”). If so, then your current alloys are either VW ‘Castille’ or ‘Riverside’ alloys; both are (I think) 6Jx15 ET40. Assuming this is the correct size, I’ve put the details of your existing wheel/tyre set up and the Romac Radium alloys (7.5Jx17 ET35 with 215/40 R17 tyres) you’re thinking of buying into the calculator on www.willtheyfit.com - screenshot below;

18FE90FD-8C1D-454A-8569-7BBAD94EB035.jpeg

Note that compared to your existing wheels, the outer face of the new wheels will protrude outwards an extra 24.1 mm and the inner face will be 14.1 mm closer to the suspension strut. This should be OK, otherwise Rimstyle wouldn’t have shown this as a wheel that’s suitable for the 6r Polo. However, you might want to just measure 24.1 mm out from the face of your wheels to make sure the face of the wheel doesn’t extend out beyond the bodywork.

If you were planning on fitting your existing VW centre caps to your new alloys, there’s a good chance that they’ll be too small to fit, so you’d either need to keep the centre caps fitted that are supplied with your new alloys, or find a set of VW replacements that will fit. An alternative would be to buy a set of VW centre cap stickers and fit these to the centre caps supplied with your new alloys.

yeah so yesterday they were on the website but they must've been bought by someone today. however I've seen them on another website for roughly the same price so will just potentially get them from there. oh really here's me thinking i had 14" wheels this whole time lol. I'll have a check tomorrow to see whether the 24.1mm would still be within the bodywork but i assume it would be. i probably will end up getting new centre caps i think it'll make it a bit more authentic. i really appreciate your help and will let you know on here if i do decide to make the purchase and will upload a new photo of the wheels when they're fitted! again thank you very much. also actually one more question, will the bigger wheels affect driving performance at all and if so how?

[AP14]

Hi
what would everyone think would look better on a polo 6r, 17 inch or 18 inch wheels? I'm in two minds about it now and can't decide between the two.

thanks.

[SRGTD]

Hi
what would everyone think would look better on a polo 6r, 17 inch or 18 inch wheels? I'm in two minds about it now and can't decide between the two.

thanks.

I would consider other factors in addition to looks;

• ride comfort; 18” alloys would require lower profile tyres than 17” to maintain the correct rolling radius, so the ride would be firmer with 18’s.

• cost of tyres; 17” tyres should be cheaper than 18” tyres.

• risk of damage from potholes, raised drain covers and rubbing kerbs while parking; 17” tyres should provide more protection against damage than 18” tyres as they have a slightly higher sidewall.

I think with all of the above, given the choice of 17” or 18”, I’d go with 17”.

[SRGTD]

also actually one more question, will the bigger wheels affect driving performance at all and if so how?

You’ll almost definitely notice a difference in ride compliancy - larger alloys with lower profile tyres provide less cushioning against road imperfections than higher profile tyres on smaller alloys. Also, many low profile tyres are also rated ‘XL’ (extra load); those that are have quite stiff sidewalls. That would mean the ride would be firmer and less compliant due to less sidewall flex compared to your existing tyres. You may also experience more road noise with wider, lower profile tyres. Whether you notice any improvement in aspects such as grip levels, handling and braking performance will be largely influenced by the brand of tyres you get - even if considering premium brand tyres, some are better than others. I’d certainly avoid cheap economy brand tyres - often known as ‘ditchfinders’ for good reason.

[AP14]

Hi
what would everyone think would look better on a polo 6r, 17 inch or 18 inch wheels? I'm in two minds about it now and can't decide between the two.

thanks.

I would consider other factors in addition to looks;

• ride comfort; 18” alloys would require lower profile tyres than 17” to maintain the correct rolling radius, so the ride would be firmer with 18’s.

• cost of tyres; 17” tyres should be cheaper than 18” tyres.

• risk of damage from potholes, raised drain covers and rubbing kerbs while parking; 17” tyres should provide more protection against damage than 18” tyres as they have a slightly higher sidewall.

I think with all of the above, given the choice of 17” or 18”, I’d go with 17”.

ok cool i will go for the 17". It shouldn't make the car slower or the drive feel slower or will it?

[SRGTD]

Hi
what would everyone think would look better on a polo 6r, 17 inch or 18 inch wheels? I'm in two minds about it now and can't decide between the two.

thanks.

I would consider other factors in addition to looks;

• ride comfort; 18” alloys would require lower profile tyres than 17” to maintain the correct rolling radius, so the ride would be firmer with 18’s.

• cost of tyres; 17” tyres should be cheaper than 18” tyres.

• risk of damage from potholes, raised drain covers and rubbing kerbs while parking; 17” tyres should provide more protection against damage than 18” tyres as they have a slightly higher sidewall.

I think with all of the above, given the choice of 17” or 18”, I’d go with 17”.

ok cool i will go for the 17". It shouldn't make the car slower or the drive feel slower or will it?

I think that would depend on the weight of the new wheels compared to the weight of your existing wheels - if they’re similar weights, then I don’t think there should be a noticeable difference.

[AP14]

I would consider other factors in addition to looks;

• ride comfort; 18” alloys would require lower profile tyres than 17” to maintain the correct rolling radius, so the ride would be firmer with 18’s.

• cost of tyres; 17” tyres should be cheaper than 18” tyres.

• risk of damage from potholes, raised drain covers and rubbing kerbs while parking; 17” tyres should provide more protection against damage than 18” tyres as they have a slightly higher sidewall.

I think with all of the above, given the choice of 17” or 18”, I’d go with 17”.

ok cool i will go for the 17". It shouldn't make the car slower or the drive feel slower or will it?

I think that would depend on the weight of the new wheels compared to the weight of your existing wheels - if they’re similar weights, then I don’t think there should be a noticeable difference.

alright well hopefully it isn't too much heavier so i won't feel the damage too much

[amer6R]

You will feel the difference when moving from start and slowing down when you first change the wheels then you get used to them.
Top speed will be harder to reach because of extra weight... There are tiny differences that novice cant feel.


17x7.5 ET 35 have a lot of clearance, and they are so tucked in especially in the back.

Flush fitment would be 17x8 ET35-40
will they fit site is useless if you dont want to take a tape measure and piece of wood or a ruler and take it to you car. ( So you can calculate the ideal size you want to go for)

OEM wheels you buy them used not new. Just take them to tire shop and ask them to spin them on balancing machine to check if they are bent before you buy them. ( When buying used wheels).

[AP14]

Are gravity cast wheels good to go for or should I avoid them?

[amer6R]

Thats just the process how many alloy wheels are made.

If you can avoid replica wheels and made in China wheels.
-why?
-They will bend easier than original wheels
-They are easier to crack under harsh impact than original wheels
-They are harder to repair ( bends etc.)

Will you die if you use them, no you will not.
But if you hit a pothole that you didn't see in time you have greater chances to bend the replica/ china wheel than the original, and crack them.

If you like the looks, and the price is fine to you and you really dont care about performance go ahead buy them. You will be completely OK.

[AP14]

Thats just the process how many alloy wheels are made.

If you can avoid replica wheels and made in China wheels.
-why?
-They will bend easier than original wheels
-They are easier to crack under harsh impact than original wheels
-They are harder to repair ( bends etc.)

Will you die if you use them, no you will not.
But if you hit a pothole that you didn't see in time you have greater chances to bend the replica/ china wheel than the original, and crack them.

If you like the looks, and the price is fine to you and you really dont care about performance go ahead buy them. You will be completely OK.

ok well yeah the only benefit is that they are much cheaper though the ones I'm looking at aren't made in china so i don't have that concern. I do however care about the performance aspect and don't want to risk performance, speed of the car, or driving comfort by upgrading.

[amer6R]

If you want comfort go for 215 45 17 tire size ( Non oem) it will be comfy when you lower the car.
- Non oem tire - maybe issue with insurance.

You will get used to extra weight, like if your top speed is 200 km/h the max with 17 will be 180-190 km/h.

If you want comfort and looks, listen to @SRGTD advice, those 16" look beautiful. And you can fit 312 mm brakes, and they are comfy.

[AP14]

If you want comfort go for 215 45 17 tire size ( Non oem) it will be comfy when you lower the car.
- Non oem tire - maybe issue with insurance.

You will get used to extra weight, like if your top speed is 200 km/h the max with 17 will be 180-190 km/h.

If you want comfort and looks, listen to @SRGTD advice, those 16" look beautiful. And you can fit 312 mm brakes, and they are comfy.

Ok yeah I’ve only ever hit top speed once so that shouldn’t be an issue so maybe I’m just stressing a bit too much about this. Will just bite the bullet and get a set. Thanks for the advice

[amer6R]

You won't fell the difference.
You will be fine, don't stress out. People drive on worse things