Anyone running 16" rims on their MK3 golf????

[courtz1976-2dr]

Hi there all,

I am wondering if anyone here is running 16" rims on their mk3 golf and if so what are your experiences with tyres and what tyre size do you run. Mention any issues please and any suspension mods, rolling arches etc to achieve.

Thanks and any comments appreciated.

***EDIT***

I have some et35 16x6.5" rims and I am trying to work out what tyres will work. Ie 205/50 r16 is what I would like (area with bad potholes etc) but I am worried they are too big (OD/width) Anyone running anything like this or have any suggestions please feels free to comment. I was thinking that 205/45 might be better or 195/45 will keep me inside 15mm difference. Rubbing @ anytime is my primary concern

[-Dell-]

I have a VR6 and I've got 16 inch Mk4 GTI wheels on mine which are 6.5 inches wide and ET42, which are the same measurements as the standard rims except for size. I've got 205/45 tyres, and he previous owner put the suspension gear in (Eibach lowered springs and Koni Yellow adjustable shock aborbers) so it is much lower than standard, especially in the rear. Don't get any rubbing though even with a full car, although there isn't much of a gap left once there's three very large people in the back!

A mate was messing around the other day and took some photos of the car loaded up, I'll grab those off him and show you

[courtz1976-2dr]

Thanks for the reply!

So this is where it get interesting. Bear with this next bit

The rims I have are et35 so that sets the outer edge 7mm out and they need spacing of 5mm so in total 12mm further out than your rims. I want to run the 205 wide tyres (same as yours) but I think it is going to rub sitting out that much further. Do you think you have that much clearance between your tyres and the guards (12mm) when it is getting compressed?

Any tyre experts out there??? I am getting confused.

Thanks again. This has helped heaps

[Tim]

I have 16x7.5" ET35 rims with 205/45/16s on them. No scrubbing.

[schoona]

post specs of your new wheels, plus your old wheels. Use an ffset calculator and a ruler on your car to help you gauge the effect.

Dev's wheels are crip looking, but fairly conservative.

There are 2 factors when considering wheels.
Width
Offset

6.5" wide is not much, Mickey runs a 9" wide rear. But if the 6.5" had very aggressive offset, the wheel face may sit proud of the guard. (Ie ET5 or something for offset)


people run 14-18" diameter wheels on Mk3's. Obviously your tyre choice is largely governed by the wheel its going on, where the wheel fits, load and speed ratings etc...

Have a search around also

[schoona]

PS.
I'm hard slammed on standard wheels, no scrubbing (15x6.5 ET4 205/50/15)
Will also have 17x7.5 ET32 (no tyres on yet)
and also have a set thats 15x7 ET8 front, 16x7 ET3 rear (also no tyres on yet)

As i said, heaps of different combinations....

[courtz1976-2dr]

I have 16x7.5" ET35 rims with 205/45/16s on them. No scrubbing.

Hmmm got me thinking, on what car though? so these should be approx 12.5mm more out than in -Dell's vr6 which means I might be ok.205/50 r16 is what I want to put on for a bit of a softer ride.

Thanks again

[courtz1976-2dr]

post specs of your new wheels, plus your old wheels. Use an ffset calculator and a ruler on your car to help you gauge the effect.

Dev's wheels are crip looking, but fairly conservative.

The originals are the BBS Vr6 rims umm 15X6.5 et43, new rims are 16X6.5 et35 hoping to fit 205/50.
I can see that the car has konis just koni yellows I think but have looked at the springs and they look lower than the other "original" vr6 I have. I have had 1 solid bloke sit on the guard while I jumped on the bumper (yes carefully) and with this combination I had no contact.

But hey this is different than driving and @225 corner dont wanna wreck em on first drive unless I am 100% otherwise will probably go back and see f I can swap to 195/45 or something.

[schoona]

Wheels:

Wheel Offset Calculator

Tyres:

Tire Size Calculator - tire & wheel plus sizing

Id go the 195/45/16 probably. The 45 profile will help give you some sidewall to flex for potholes..

[VR6child]

Don't get 50 profile tyres, they are absolutely terrible balloons. I had 205/50/16 on my car when I bought it, and it scraped on the guard on bumps. And that was with stock suspension.

I would say either 205/45 or 205/40

[The_Hawk]

205/45R16, wheels from a New Beetle:



No issues at all.

[courtz1976-2dr]

205/45R16, wheels from a New Beetle:



No issues at all.

I think these are your rims with et42 (very close to original) and I would say yours fitted without any spacers, I think my rims are going to be a problem seeing as they need spacers to clear the calipers about 5mm I think the 205/50 have to go back.

Thanks for all your help to you and all others

WHEEL - REGGAE 16x6.5 ALLOY

WHEEL - REGGAE 16x6.5 ALLOY

Make : Volkswagen
Model : New Beetle
Model Year : 2009



Actual items for sale may vary from the above information and image.

Item Description
5-Spoke Light Alloy Wheel. 16x6.5 ET42. Wheels use standard wheel bolts and rubber valve. Brilliant Silver Metallic. Additional wheel available in 15-x6-- P/N 1J9071496 666. Not compatible with TPMS

[schoona]

6.5 wide and ET42 is pretty muuch exactly the smae as standard (ET43), so why do you need spacers?

[courtz1976-2dr]

6.5 wide and ET42 is pretty muuch exactly the smae as standard (ET43), so why do you need spacers?

Hi there Mal,

The new rims are 16x6.5, et35 without spacers the rim fouls the caliper (vr6 5 stud) - They stick out a bit from the guard with 205/50r16's -

the whole story is I got the rims cheap and the tyres reasonbly cheap, based on what I was told from where I bought them they shouldn't of had any issues at all - but this is not the case. So I am sorta stuck with what I have now unless I can wing swapping the tyres.

I am now wondering whether the suspension travel will even allow these tyres to contact the arches/guards, ie will bottom out before hitting - I have had some solid people bouncing on the front corner without being able to compress the springs/shockies enough (in a straight line) to contact the guard. But I have got the feeling that in hard cornering/cornering bumpy roads will be painful. The new Vr6 is in great condition, even all the plastic arch mouldings have all screws and bits, i dont wanna tear it to bits + damage the tyres.

What rubs salt in the would is I cannot drive the car until it has rims/tyres!!!!!!!!!! I am itching to take it for a spin. will post photo of current fit

[Tim]

the 205/50/16 tyres are too tall moreso than too wide. Id try and exchange them for something in the correct size.