UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Sorry for what seems like another stupid noob question.

Been lurking here for a while now, and i can't find the answers to couple of questions.

The first being,
What is the recoomended size alloy to fit to a Mk5 polo, its a three door version, 1.4 - not sure if its the 60 or the 75bhp model.

I'd hopefully be dropping it on coilovers after i've fitted them, but that leads on to my other questions, with a decent sized alloy, what is the usual amount to drop it.

Sorry if they're stupid, i don't know the correct termology.

Thanks all.

Hello Brad, all the questions are perfectly sensible, we've all probably asked them. I know I have!

Standard size alloys are 15" on the GTI, I think the SE has 14" & probably the largest you really want to go comfortably is 16".

Tyre sizes would be:
185-55-14, 195-45-15 or 195-40-16.

As to coilovers, i'll let someone else take that one! As I havn't dropped mine yet, so still got the fun to come!

Ah ok, thanks man.
Seems like the GTI Alloys are pretty rare to find...

I'll keep looking, started saving for a set this week, so when i get the money and i've passed the driving test i'll invest.

Brad. wrote:Ah ok, thanks man.
Seems like the GTI Alloys are pretty rare to find...

I'll keep looking, started saving for a set this week, so when i get the money and i've passed the driving test i'll invest.

GTI alloys do come up all the time, seen 2 or 3 sets recently. All have gone for around the £175-200 mark. Just be aware that most will need refurbing, which can be done as a DIY job if you don't mind the graft! Have a look in the DIY guides for a 'how to'.

I _really_ could do without having to do the refurbing part, are there any similar aftermarket wheels that look like them?

There arent really any after market ones as the GTi alloys are split rims. Meaning you can split them apart believe it or not so they are alot easier to refurb and do different combinations with them.

Ive dropped mine completely on 7 inch wide 15s. I scrub every now and then but its nothing major

Yeah, would rather not have to do a refurb tbh.
Ah well, when i have the money i spose i can pick a set and chase them kinda thing.

Thanks for the help.

id say if u want 15's u can drop it about 60mm comftably for it to look nice and still have the drive ability of standard so in other words it wont rub. any lower and it will start rubbing when u got people in the car. mines about 60mm and i got 15's and i wanna low it a bit more.

if u wanna get 16's u can prob get away with the same drop as the tyre size will be smaller so the over all size will be similar so not a major issue.

if u wanna go for 17's dont tell n e one cause they will tell u theyre 2 big.

i think 15's look perfect but maybe 16's depending on the actual wheel itself.

Brad. wrote:I _really_ could do without having to do the refurbing part, are there any similar aftermarket wheels that look like them?

How's about these? On ebay at the mo, 16" BBS RXII's. Same as the GTI only 16's not 15's, find 'em on a lot of golfs. These ones have been refurbed already too!


Have a look: BBS RXII

They're very nice.
It's what i'd be basically looking for.

Thanks for pointing out the name etc...

Brad. wrote:They're very nice.
It's what i'd be basically looking for.

Thanks for pointing out the name etc...

No probs, confuses the hell out of me too! You get used to it after a while though!

Just key BBS into a search on ebay & have a look at what you can get. I think you can also get a 'non' spilt rim version of the RXII as well, which would be cheaper.

Or look at all the different 15 & 16" rims for sale on ebay, might see something that catch's your eye!

Forgot to mention, the fitment you'd want is a 4 stud with a PCD of 100mm. So look out for PCD of 4x100. And a ET of I think 38.

Most early golfs, mk1 2 & some 3's had 4stud fitments plus polo's &jetta's. So a lot of VW kit will fit staright on. Just sometimes the tyre sizes are different. There are a few ford & vauxhall fitments that will fit too, so you'll find loads when you get out there to buy!

Any probs, just post your query up here & someone will help!

Torq-Al wrote:Forgot to mention, the fitment you'd want is a 4 stud with a PCD of 100mm. So look out for PCD of 4x100. And a ET of I think 38.

Most early golfs, mk1 2 & some 3's had 4stud fitments plus polo's &jetta's. So a lot of VW kit will fit staright on. Just sometimes the tyre sizes are different. There are a few ford & vauxhall fitments that will fit too, so you'll find loads when you get out there to buy!

Any probs, just post your query up here & someone will help!

Ah the sizes, that what confused me the most, specially when i see people posting about 8j etc, i worked it out to be the width of the wheel? That correct?

I'll post some pictures of the car soon, its still "my mums" but its basically mine, as shes giving it to me on my birthday.
Which is still a fair way away.

Yep, you're right, its the width of the rim. Not sure the sizings tho', will have a look for you.

Have a look at this it may help: Wheel Sizings.

Torq-Al wrote:

Brad. wrote:I _really_ could do without having to do the refurbing part, are there any similar aftermarket wheels that look like them?

How's about these? On ebay at the mo, 16" BBS RXII's. Same as the GTI only 16's not 15's, find 'em on a lot of golfs. These ones have been refurbed already too!


Have a look: BBS RXII

Apart from those ones are the five stud version (5x100) so wouldn't fit a 6N2 Polo without adaptors.

4 stud versions of the 16" RXII were fitted to Golf Cabriolets, and are fairly hard to come by. Although I do have a set currently sat in my garage doing nothing.