wheel identification - steel wheels for t5

[jimby]

Hi All

I have recently bought a T5 and would rally like a set of these steel wheels, I keep seeing them on standard transporters but i dont know why vw fit them, is there a special reason?

[Transporter]

Yep, 17" standard steel wheels used on 128kW TDI, these rims can carry 850kg each. They look alright and are light compare to other steel rims I had in my hand. Did you try ebay?

They are 7j x 17, PCD 5x120, ET 55mm

[jimby]

thanks Transporter

I'll keep an eye on ebay

[Tornado T5]

Would I be right in saying the early 128kW T5's into Aust. came with 17" steels as shown above however well before MY07 16" became standard and hence why you see so few. I also think the new T5GP now has standard 17" steel wheels on the 132kW models and so these rims have reappeared again.

[Transporter]

Spot on (I stopped looking at the specs in 2005), since you can see some T5s with red TDI badge and skinny looking tyres (compared to 235/55/17). I like my steel wheels so much I never looked at the alloys. Only 17" Dakar wheels could go on my van, but the price doesn't justify it!

[4wheels]

Tornado is correct. Rumour was that many people (especially where they were just 'work vans') objected to the lower wear and higher replacement costs of the 17's. My 07 came with 16's, which was a dissapointment at the time, as I think the 17" steelies look much better. However at 65k (and looking like going to 75K) on the original Michy's, I'm not complaining. The new 132's now have the 17's again as they have massive front brakes, which won't accept 16's. Maybe tyre costs have reduced a bit as well as 17's have become more common.

Brian R

[Tornado T5]

Tornado is correct. Rumour was that many people (especially where they were just 'work vans') objected to the lower wear and higher replacement costs of the 17's. My 07 came with 16's, which was a dissapointment at the time, as I think the 17" steelies look much better. However at 65k (and looking like going to 75K) on the original Michy's, I'm not complaining. The new 132's now have the 17's again as they have massive front brakes, which won't accept 16's. Maybe tyre costs have reduced a bit as well as 17's have become more common.

Brian R

I remember my dealer stating the same claim on the 17" back in '07. I got to 85K on the original 16" Michelins ...I think you're right re 17", far more common as oem now then back in 2004/5 plus as performance increases and brake sizes go up it's inevitable.