Bent Belvedere wheel

[AsheToo]

I have a 2021 US GTI Autobahn with the forged Belvedere wheels from the European GTI Club Sport. My right front wheel pictured here has a slight bend. I don't feel any vibration at any speed. Is this something you'd get fixed or just leave it alone?

Also, I've been thinking about swapping these wheels for a set of Neuspeed RSe06 18x8.5s so I can run a 245/40 tire (not advisable to put 245/40 on a 7.5" rim width). What would be a fair price for this set of wheels and tires with this slight bend? And please resist the temptation to flex your humor muscles with ridiculous low-ball suggestions . ECS (I know, I know, everybody hates ETS) has them in stock for $550 each and VW lists them for $556.50.

Last question, if I put this '21 GTI up for sale 1 or 2 years from now with aftermarket Neuspeed wheels, do you think the absence of the forged OEM Belvederes would make the car less desirable to a buyer?

 

[crxgator]

I will pay $1000

 

[Salami]

Tough call.

If the Belvedere was 8.0" I would have bought a set and powder coated them as my first choice. Pluses: OEM, forged, very lightweight and look great all one color. Negative 7.5" width.

I would probably try and hold on the wheels if the budget allows. I did wind up selling my Pretoria’s from my R but I plan on keeping it for quite some time and Prets are pretty easy to find. Belvederes seem to be a lot harder to find.

 

[StealthGTI]

Visit https://www.awrswheelrepair.com/ and see if they have a specialist near you. My local rep is mobile and came to me. He straightened two bent wheels that would not balance to near perfection. Good Luck!

 

[AsheToo]

Visit https://www.awrswheelrepair.com/ and see if they have a specialist near you. My local rep is mobile and came to me. He straightened two bent wheels that would not balance to near perfection. Good Luck!

Thanks Scott! We have one in Charlotte, and I'm gonna check them out tomorrow. I've enjoyed following your blog and posts and am modeling my ride partially following your lead. Recently had a TorkLift Stealth installed (mainly for bike rack but will pull light utility trailer from time to time). Currently considering the APR DTR6054. I tell myself I'm not in a hurry and can take my time, but I'm a pretty fired up about it.

 

[StealthGTI]

Let us know how it turns out. Mine were bent on the inside; so, accessing the bend was quite direct...

Accessing your front bend may be more difficult. But the pro will know.

Good Luck.

 

[AsheToo]

I ended up replacing the wheel. To fix the bend on the front/face of the wheel, they would have had to heat it up, which would destroy the finish. They they'd have to refinish the wheel. Total cost for that was slightly more than $500. I'd rather have a new wheel with no metallurgical stress and a perfect finish. New wheel was $650, including expedited shipping. I then wrapped all four of these forged OEM wheels in 235/45-18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS4s tires to allow for more sidewall to protect the rim. Total diameter goes from 25.1 to 26.3. Preliminary indications are that I have zero clearance issues at that size. And I prefer the look for a meatier tire anyway.

 

[FSTSNAL]

I ended up replacing the wheel. To fix the bend on the front/face of the wheel, they would have had to heat it up, which would destroy the finish. They they'd have to refinish the wheel. Total cost for that was slightly more than $500. I'd rather have a new wheel with no metallurgical stress and a perfect finish. New wheel was $650, including expedited shipping. I then wrapped all four of these forged OEM wheels in 235/45-18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS4s tires to allow for more sidewall to protect the rim. Total diameter goes from 25.1 to 26.3. Preliminary indications are that I have zero clearance issues at that size. And I prefer the look for a meatier tire anyway.

Next time check Winn vw parts out of Newark ca. best price I have found for Belvedere. $445 each.

 

[bobloblawGTI]

I then wrapped all four of these forged OEM wheels in 235/45-18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS4s tires to allow for more sidewall to protect the rim. Total diameter goes from 25.1 to 26.3. Preliminary indications are that I have zero clearance issues at that size. And I prefer the look for a meatier tire anyway.

Are Belvedere's the same size as the stock Dallas/Milton 7.5 wheels? I've been thinking of going meatier when I replace the Bridgestones; definitely going 235 but wasn't sure if 45 would rub or not vs. 40.

 

[Salami]

@bobloblawGTI they are 18x7.5"

 

[AsheToo]

Next time check Winn vw parts out of Newark ca. best price I have found for Belvedere. $445 each.

I saw them, but they didn't have immediate availability. ECS did, and the wheel shipped immediately and was here 2 days later. Not bad for a company so many people love to hate.

 

[AsheToo]

Are Belvedere's the same size as the stock Dallas/Milton 7.5 wheels? I've been thinking of going meatier when I replace the Bridgestones; definitely going 235 but wasn't sure if 45 would rub or not vs. 40.

The Belvederes (VW Part # 5G0601025CFFZZ) are 18" x 7.5" ET 49. They weigh about 17 lbs. I kept the damaged one and gonna put it on a scale and see weight with my own eyes.

The 235/45-18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS4s fits with room to spare. I have GMP Performance in Charlotte work on my car, and their tech said I could go bigger (diameter) and/or wider. The limiting factor for me is the 7.5" wheel-width. I have APR spacers: 12mm front and 17mm rear. This is a little less aggressive than a flush kit, which would be 15mm front and 20mm rear.

The tires are noticeably taller by 1.2" (I measured before and after - off the car). OEM Bridgestone Potenza S001 in 225/40-18 was 25.1" (TireRack specs show 24.2 diameter, which is 0.9" incorrect). These tires are 26.3" (TireRack shows same measurement) in diameter on the rim with air and off the car. Overall, I like having a little wiggle room, yet the gap and poke are noticeably improved with spacers and this tire size. You can compare these pics to the pic at the top of this thread, and see how much more meat is on the rim.

The ride is calmer and more sure-footed. It seems less skittish on imperfect pavement. I'll get some miles on it before I toss it around hard, but I'm sure it'll handle good enough for my needs and wants.

 

[bobloblawGTI]

@AsheToo Now THAT is a comprehensive deep dive! Thank you so much, that's tremendously good info. How do you like the APR spacers?

 

[AsheToo]

@AsheToo Now THAT is a comprehensive deep dive! Thank you so much, that's tremendously good info. How do you like the APR spacers?

I like the APR spacers. I compared them to ECS and a couple of others, and the APR spacers seem to be a little better designed and manufactured. I also got the right wheel bolts to replace the OEM bolts.

I intentionally rolled over a storm water drain grate today that can nearly bottom out my suspension without a sudden impact (it's not like a pothole with sharp edges) and heard the right front rub when compressed. I'll do the fender screw mod and see if that fixes it. If not, I'll order 10mm front spacers for just a tad less poke.

Previously I had a '19 Golf R on Neuspeed wheels that were 18" x 8" and I ran 245/40-18s and no spacers. I got about the same amount of rub on those wheels and tires in similar scenarios. I never even bothered to do the fender screw mod or anything else. It happened so rarely and was so insignificant, I just let it be.

 

[DangerDane2008]

I want a set of Belvedere’s