Changing wheel probs :( 2011 1.2

[parkie23]

Hi all - need some advice if possible
my 2011 polo came with 14" steel wheel and hubcaps
i received some 15" vw polo alloys from a friend (look to be from a 2017)
back ones went on fine with original bolts - very snug.
front wheels - again very snug -but caliper seems to be in way - as in the wheel wont go round as touching the caliper.
any advice please -
I thought polo wheels were were universal or i they are not or i need longer wheel bolts etc?
apologies if i sound like a knucklehead - appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks Parkie.

[SRGTD]

If the 15” alloys you’ve got are genuine VW items and off a 2017 6C Polo, then they should bolt straight on to a 2011 6R Polo using the existing bolts and not give any clearance issues.

What is the width and offset of the 15” alloys? If they’re genuine VW wheels, then the spec details (width, diameter, offset) and VW part number should be on the reverse side of the wheel spokes. Has your car ever had non standard (larger) brakes fitted, which might be the reason for the clearance issues you’re experiencing between the brake calipers and inner face of the alloys?

You’ve said your car is a 2011 Polo but your forum signature details show your car as a 2008 Polo which would be a 9N3 model Polo. Can you please clarify which car you have - a 2011 6R or a 2008 9N3.

[parkie23]

Apologies. We have a 2008 and also a 2011 in our household
The 2011 polo has never been larger brakes fitted
Attached is a pic of the wheels showing the calliper practically touching the wheel since put back to joe it was another pic showing the inside of the 15” wheel
A Friend mentioned a spacer and longer bolts on the front wheels should do the job?

Many thanks Parkie

[CarbonChaos]

So its properly the ET number that is wrong with your new set of wheels, check the ET number on the steelies that you removed and check the difference .
If your set on fitting those wheels you could just fit a wheel spacer and longer bolts ,this will move the wheel away from the brakes and also look better

[SRGTD]

They definitely look to be genuine VW alloys. However, they’re not from a 6R or 6C model Polo - from the part number (2G0 601 025N) they’re the standard ‘Sassari’ alloys from a 2018-2022 (AW) model Polo SE - see picture below;

B46D3DFE-283A-48A7-AF53-29AEA0E44B41.jpeg (26.16 KiB) Viewed 685 times

If the brake callipers on the AW model Polo are a different design to the callipers on your car (I don’t know if they are), that probably explains why you have possible clearance issues.

I’ve checked on one of the alloy wheel retailer websites (Rimstyle.com) to see if they confirm 5.5J x15 ET40 alloys are an appropriate size for your car and they do confirm they’ll fit - see screenshot below. However, the design of some alloy wheel’s spokes may mean that not all 5.5J x15” ET40 alloys will fit your car and could give brake callipers clearance issues.

39E9AC0D-B63F-4108-8BC1-8721769EAC45.jpeg (67.58 KiB) Viewed 685 times

You could fit spacers and longer bolts; if you do this, make certain any replacement bolts are of the correct thread and that they have a radius / ball head so the bolt head profile matches the profile of the bolt hole in the wheels. Also, fitting different sized / spec alloys and / or wheel spacers is a modification for insurance purposes, so you’d need to inform your insurance company and they may increase your premium (some insurance companies are more mod-friendly than others).

Be aware that the tyre in the first picture you posted is fitted the wrong way round on the wheel - the outside of the tyre is on the inside of the wheel so needs to be refitted (worth checking the others too).

[CarbonChaos]

Be aware that the tyre in the first picture you posted is fitted the wrong way round on the wheel - the outside of the tyre is on the inside of the wheel so needs to be refitted (worth checking the others too).

Good spot sir

[iichel]

Since the wheels are not for your car, I'd suggest checking the tire size as well.

[SRGTD]

Since the wheels are not for your car, I'd suggest checking the tire size as well.

That’s a very good point @ iichel.

@parkie23; the overall rolling radius of the wheels / tyres you’re planning on fitting to your car should be the same as the rolling radius of your existing wheel / tyre set up, otherwise your speedo reading will be incorrect. I’m assuming that on your 14 steel wheels your tyres are 175/70 R14; if so, then to maintain the same overall rolling radius with 15” alloys, you’ll need 185/60 R15 tyres, which is what VW fitted to the to 15” alloys on the 6R / 6C Polo.

VW fitted 185/65 R15 tyres to the Sassari alloys on the AW model Polo SE. These have a larger rolling radius than your existing wheel / tyre set up so will result in your speedo understating the true speed of your car (see below), which is illegal in the UK. Therefore, you will need to budget for a new set of 185/60 R15 tyres - that’s assuming the Sassari alloys you’re planning on fitting have 185/65 R15 tyres fitted on them (as per factory spec for the AW model Polo SE).

https://www.tyresizecalculator.com/tyre ... calculator

23ADAD83-F757-49CB-900E-EBEE11E02EAD.jpeg (40.93 KiB) Viewed 654 times

[amer6R]

You will need a wheel spacer. Maybe 2mm spacer will work and probably you could keep your factory wheel bolts. Double check it.

[parkie23]

Many thanks all for your comments. Very appreciated
Out of the 4 wheels only the one on show has the tyre on wrong way round
Spacers are ordered and also longer wheel bolts
The tyres on the new alloys are 185/65/R15. Guess no good and will need to get 185/60 r15