How to make them fit?

[pat_ballam08]

Hey all,

I am a little confused as to wheels and tires and the widths i need.

Recently I made a rash decision to purchase a set of wheels for my new (New to me ) MKV Golf GTi. I bought a set of 18" wheels with 8.5 +32 fronts and 9.5 +35 on the rear. I picked them up relatively cheap and love the look of them, but am now worried as to whether or not they are going to fit, will they be too wide etc.

So my question is, are these wheels going to fit, if not how far will i have to go to make them fit. ie. guards rolled, camber etc. and also what tires will be the best for my application.

Also, the car is not currently lowered, but as soon as i have more cash i will be purchasing coilovers.

The whole tires thing really confuses me so any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[team_v]

9.5 ET 35 on the rear is probably going to poke out.
You would likely need to get the guards rolled and camber plates fitted however that may not fix the issue as some states are harder on how much/where the tyre can stick out of the body work.

[TomC]

I'm assuming you would probably have 235 width rubber on the front 8.5" rims, but you would need significantly wider than this on a 9.5 width rim (255 width rubber I'm thinking?).

235 width rubber is generally the widest people seem to get on their MK5 GTIs, especially if you're going to put coilovers on it... Staggered sets are much less beneficial on a fwd car as well and i'm positive those back rims will rub even if you get guards rolled etc. The best test is to put 3 mates in the back and then hit some bends - you'll know straight away

Is it possible to find another set from somewhere and get the two 8.5" rims from that set (hopefully someone might want a full set of 9.5" rims lol)?

[pat_ballam08]

I'm assuming you would probably have 235 width rubber on the front 8.5" rims, but you would need significantly wider than this on a 9.5 width rim (255 width rubber I'm thinking?).

235 width rubber is generally the widest people seem to get on their MK5 GTIs, especially if you're going to put coilovers on it... Staggered sets are much less beneficial on a fwd car as well and i'm positive those back rims will rub even if you get guards rolled etc. The best test is to put 3 mates in the back and then hit some bends - you'll know straight away

Is it possible to find another set from somewhere and get the two 8.5" rims from that set (hopefully someone might want a full set of 9.5" rims lol)?

I agree the staggered fitment is somewhat useless, besides for looks. And I have had a look around but am unable to get another set of 8.5's for the front (Or so i can see). I will have to see how it goes once I am able to test fit them. The main question was regarding tires and what would be the best (or most applicable) to attempt to fit these with the least issues with scrubbing.

[dylan8]

Check out Silver dub and Adzys car on the alphards, they are 18x8.5et35 with a 215/40 front, and 18x9.5et40 with a 225/40 rear.
your talking 3mm more poke at the front and 5mm more at the back, which would suggest you need to get the same size tyres or go smaller again (205/40front, 215/40 rear) to pull the tread back inside.

all ill say is good luck making that work at stock height

[TomC]

Check out Silver dub and Adzys car on the alphards, they are 18x8.5et35 with a 215/40 front, and 18x9.5et40 with a 225/40 rear.

Those tyres must be seriously stretched out to fit such a slim tyre width on a much wider wheel width... That surely must compromise the performance of the tyre?

[dylan8]

Those tyres must be seriously stretched out to fit such a slim tyre width on a much wider wheel width... That surely must compromise the performance of the tyre?

215/40 on a 8.5 is legal and fine according to most manufactures.
The 225/40 on a 9.5 is JUST outside most manufactures (9'' is normally the max)

having 9.5s on a golf is also a performance loss, so why would one care? Its just a look/style

[pat_ballam08]

Well what i get from this is that coilovers are now a need, not a want. Damn it

[walbjj]

i hope the rims look good at least, no use going to all this effort if they are terrible chromed out rims

[shramma]

Well what i get from this is that coilovers are now a need, not a want. Damn it

ummm. I don't think the wheels are going to clear any easier if you lower the car with coilovers...

do some research on offsets, understand what it is. have you considered speaking to a mechanic who knows suspension and tyre fitment?