Polo Blue GT Wheel advice

[cr42ycr41g]

Hi,
I want to refurbish my Polo Blue GT alloys, 17inch, 5x100 PCD, 57.1mm centre bore, ET46. I am after some steels or alloys that will fit whilst the refurb is done.
I once bought some alloys for a Mk2 GTi years ago and they went on but wouldn't rotate as the caliper fouled the inside of the spokes, so don't want to be in the same situation.

Anyone know what else will fit? Golf/Seat/Skoda steels or alloys? As not really sure off what ET will be ok?

Any advice appreciated

Thanks

[SRGTD]

Be aware that most VAG alloys for Golf sized cars and larger models have a PCD of 5 x 112 which won’t physically bolt onto the Polo’s hub assemblies (alloys must have a 5 x 100 PCD for your Polo). I may be wrong but I think that with current and recent generations of VAG cars, the only models with a PCD of 5 x 100 are the Polo or the equivalent models for the other VAG brands - e.g. Ibiza, A1, Fabia. Not sure about the small SUV’s that are based on those B segment models such as VW’s T Cross. I know some older generations of VAG cars also have a PCD of 5 x 100 - the mk4 Golf I owned in the early 2000’s did.

If you’re interested in OEM wheels rather than aftermarket, you might find the website at the link below useful as it lists wheel spec information. Select the car manufacturer and it should list the wheel spec for each model - current and earlier generations. This is not a VW or VAG website so there is a risk that not all the information is 100% accurate.

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/volkswagen/

For your car, you could fit a set of alloys off a Polo GTI of the same generation as your car. I owned a 2016 Polo 6c GTI and from memory, the factory fit Serron alloys that my car had from new were the same spec (diameter, offset, PCD, width) as your alloys so should bolt straight on with no clearance issues. The standard GTI Parabolica alloys were a 1/2 inch wider than the Serron alloys and the offset was slightly different but they should also bolt straight on your car.

For aftermarket alloys, websites such as Rimstyle should only display alloys that will fit your car once you input your vehicle details on their site. Be aware that the centre bore of some (many?) aftermarket alloys may be larger than yours, in which case reputable alloy wheel retailers should supply a fitting kit which includes a set of reducing rings (spigot rings) of the appropriate size that fits inside the centre bore of the alloy to ensure a snug fit on the hub assemblies of the car.

[cr42ycr41g]

Thanks very much appreciate the detailed information
Will check the link tomorrow

[SRGTD]

You’re welcome.

Forgot to mention with some of VW’s alloys there’s a larger version for other models of car - e.g with VW Serron alloys I had on my Polo GTI there’s also an 18” version for the Golf which won’t fit the Polo because of the Golf’s 5x112 bolt pattern. Same with a set of 17” VW Motorsport alloys I fitted to my Polo GTI; there was also an 18” version with a 5x112 bolt pattern for the Golf. So always check the bolt pattern is 5x100.

Also, any alloys advertised as ‘in the style of’ (e.g Serron style alloys) will be replicas and may have a different bolt pattern, width, offset and centre bore size to the genuine VW / VAG alloys. They may also not be of the same quality or structural integrity as genuine OEM alloys or have been safety tested to the same safety standards. Best way to check for genuine OEM alloys is to look at the details cast into the reverse side of the spokes; if they’re genuine VW you should see the VW part no., VW logo, manufacturer’s name (usually - but not always - Borbet, Ronal or BBS) and details such as width, diameter and offset, along with safety certification mark (e.g JWL, TUV, AWE or other similar certification standards).

Lastly (I think ) if you’re considering used alloys, always ask the seller if they’ve been damaged / suffered any structural damage (e.g. buckling or cracks) and look for evidence of welding repairs.