Wheels and size qustion

[timebomb0220]

I know spring isnt for a while but im already looking at wheels for the spring
I drive a yellow GLI, i plan on being lowered on FK's(fender just covering tireor 1 finger all around). I was looking into Mercedes Benz rims:

Style 815
http://www.powerwheelspro.com/shop/p...roducts_id=190

Style 818
http://www.powerwheelspro.com/shop/p...roducts_id=327

i just dont understand the numbers too much, im new too buying wheels.
My stock Charleston's are 18x8(i think)
the wheels im looking at buying are 18x8.5 or 18x8/9 staggered, whats staggered?

also if i get 18x8.5 is it gonna be a huge different from my stock rims? also what about that staggered rim? it is 18x8 but its also 9/staggered..

Another thing i dont understand is Offset +35


i want my wheels to look good i dont want to need to go slow because im low and have nice rims that dont fit. i like my speed but i like these wheels.

please help! thanks

[rs_hunter]

"Staggered" means that the front wheel will be 8" wide, while the rear will be 9". The big problem is that the +35 offset is beyond the preferred ET45 or greater. This will not be a simple "throw 'em on" set-up.

[timebomb0220]

Originally Posted by rs_hunter

"Staggered" means that the front wheel will be 8" wide, while the rear will be 9". The big problem is that the +35 offset is beyond the preferred ET45 or greater. This will not be a simple "throw 'em on" set-up.

what do u mean beyond ET45?? what is that? and nethier of these wheels will be a throw em on set?

[Saabstory]

Offset is how much of the wheel sits "forward" of where the wheel mounts and how much sits back over the hub/brake. Lower number means more of the wheel is going to stick out to or beyond the fender; bigger number means the wheel will sit farther back in the wheel well.

ET +35 means the wheel will stick out quite a lot and will likely require fender rolling and even body trimming to make it work. Normal VW 18X7.5s are ET +51 I believe (R wheels are at least)

If you don't understand the numbers and aren't prepared to do quite a lot of work to make these fit, then keep looking as these won't work for you. Look for something with an offset more like +40 - +50 to be able to simply mount them up.

[timebomb0220]

dammit, alright

if i went with a 18x8.5 would that stick out?

[Saabstory]

http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59761

According to this 18X8.5 will fit with an ET +35 but you'll have to go with some stretch so that if/when you lower the car you don't rub. You'll probably still rub and will need to do some fender rolling at minimum.

Take all that as as you will; as I said above if you don't understand the numbers to begin with you should probably look for the more "standard" sizes that are known to fit.

[rs_hunter]

Originally Posted by timebomb0220

what do u mean beyond ET45?? what is that? and nethier of these wheels will be a throw em on set?

An offset of ET45 would mean that the wheel center-line would be positioned 45mm inward from the mounting face of the hub. An offset of ET45 would normally be considered minimum for the MkV, for a no hassle set-up. Factory set-ups can be as high as ET52.

The ET35 offset on the wheels you linked are going in the other direction, being shallower and moving the wheels further out from the hub. That will mean that interference with the fender will be more likely. This would require fender modifications or tire stretching to avoid problems. Neither of these fit the description of what you've said you are looking for.

[timebomb0220]

Originally Posted by Saabstory

http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59761

According to this 18X8.5 will fit with an ET +35 but you'll have to go with some stretch so that if/when you lower the car you don't rub. You'll probably still rub and will need to do some fender rolling at minimum.

Take all that as as you will; as I said above if you don't understand the numbers to begin with you should probably look for the more "standard" sizes that are known to fit.

im probably sounding so dumb but i really dont know what any of this means, i have to stretch tires? why not jut buy bigger tires? and ET +35 is fine? i thought i needed +45-50 i dont want to roll my fenders which i dont really even know how exspensive that be. im so lost lol. i figured i could buy some nice mercedes rims throw some tires on the id be fine. theres another GLI with these and his seem fine i thought


http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0061_large.jpg

this gus has the style 818's and he seems fine, are his fenders "rolled"?

[TheJakofallTrads]

Ideal is 18x8 42-45ET or 18x8.5 45ET, staggered wheels are for for RWD cars, leave it there. If you want a finger gap don't stretch tires. Personally, I don't like either wheel and don't think they compliment the lines of the GLI.

[timebomb0220]

Originally Posted by TheJakofallTrads

Ideal is 18x8 42-45ET or 18x8.5 45ET, staggered wheels are for for RWD cars, leave it there. If you want a finger gap don't stretch tires. Personally, I don't like either wheel and don't think they compliment the lines of the GLI.

did u see the link i left tho? it looks dirtyy on that car. and suggestions for rims?

[VMRWheels]

The two wheel models you linked are a 66.6mm center bore. If you decide to go with these and don't mind doing the fender rolling/pulling and/or tire stretching, make sure to get hub centric rings to bring it down to a 57.1mm.

[Saabstory]

Originally Posted by timebomb0220

im probably sounding so dumb but i really dont know what any of this means

You aren't sounding dumb, just uneducated on wheel fitment. This right here is the most important part for you to remember:

If you don't know what these numbers mean; you need to stick with wheels that are known/guaranteed to fit so that you do not end up damaging your car or yourself.

Really bud; if what we are explaining to you still makes no sense then all you are going to do is hurt someone or hurt your car. Find some wheels that you like and that fit safely.

i have to stretch tires? why not jut buy bigger tires? and ET +35 is fine? i thought i needed +45-50 i dont want to roll my fenders which i dont really even know how exspensive that be. im so lost lol. i figured i could buy some nice mercedes rims throw some tires on the id be fine. theres another GLI with these and his seem fine i thought

The rest of this don't worry about. Get wheels that fit and you'll be fine without any of those issues to worry about.