a rookie who is confused

[doomsday1071]

Need help fellas,

can someone please explain to me how the wheel off set measurements work?

I am desprately searching for some decent 17" rims for my 1996 mk3 golf and i dont understand what will or wont fit im affriad to say when looking online to purchase a set

im reading and scrolling through posts here and i see other mk3 golfs which seem to have 5 stud rims on the car? im confused how thats possible since my mk3 requires 4 stud rims??


if anyone can give me advice or sell me a decent set of rims or even point me in the right direction has to where in Sydney or the Gold Coast (since im moving there in 2 weeks) i can purchase some decent cheap rims id be very greatful!

[anthony--t]

5 studs are only on the vr6 and gti, cant help with offset and where to purchase. Maybe eBay or gumtree?

[doomsday1071]

thanks buddy,

so would it be safe to assume that any 17" 4 stud rims would fit on the mk3 golf? assuming i get the right tyres for it?

[anthony--t]

I think you need 4x100 pcd

[doomsday1071]

thanks buddy, ill have a look for 4x100 pcd rims on ebay now

[anthony--t]

no problem, glad i could help
better get some info off the more knowlegeable members regarding centre bore offset width etc before you buy anything though

[dylan8]

4x100 with 12mm bolt holes
57.1 centre bore (or can go above and get hub rings)
offset is based on wheel width, offset is nothing on its own

[Mk3 AAA]

^ Dylan knows what he's talking about, I don't so much but here...

Don't forget spoke design :p, my 17X7.5" ET+35 still managed to touch the little brakes in the VR.



It can help to find out your current wheel specs (something like 14/15" X 6" ET + 45..... in that area I have no idea, and use an online calculator to work out how both wheel and tyre will affect rolling diameter, width, inner and outer clearance.

Wheel Offset Calculator

and others...

Buying wheels can take research or incredible luck. I'd recommend some OEM wheels from another VW that has similar specs to yours. e.g. a Seat Ibiza (in most guises), older Polo, Mk1,2,3,(non VR6,and Mk3 non-16v GTI/Tdi)... have 4X100...and the rest of the spec you'd need.


Ok ok, not trying to scare you off, best bet, find something you like and post it up in this thread and people can put in there take on them. Otherwise look in the Parts for Sale thread and see what people are selling.

Also, 17"s are big on a mk3! I'd recommend 16"s and don't think they couldn't look great.

If you have your heart set on that special set of chromies, there is some flexibility, spacers to decrease offset, tyre stretch to reduce scrubbing, wobble bolts to slightly mess with PCD, hub rings for inner bore.... each as special and as dodgy (but not to be ruled out) as the next. Also redrill etc etc.... but 4X100 must be the easiest size to find.

You also want to consider build quality, balancing budget with wheels and still safe tyres...but I'm sure you can get the gist of all that.

Also, please don't put 17"s on at stock height, with a body kit or reverse rake, it makes the baby cheeses cry.

Good luck and welcome to VDubbing.


Edit: Check out the last wheels in this thread: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...6-a-69084.html
could look cool with some TLC.

[doomsday1071]

Appreciate the reply ^

Here’s something I am looking at

Package Number - B006
Wheel - SM03
Size - 17x7.0
Color - Machined Face, Black
Package Price - $CALL
What Do I Get With The Package? In All Tempe Tyres Packages You Will Receive 4 New Wheels, 4 New Tyres, Nuts, Fitting and Balancing.

products -- link to picture of wheels

[Glynn.]

mate if your not fussed on buying brand new id just scour ebay gumtree or any other car forum and pick u a set of 17s for a 3rd of the price of brand spankers from tempe

if u do want new wheels down the coast id hit up F1 wheel and tyres for a package deal then you could test fit a couple different sets

[dylan8]

Appreciate the reply ^

Here’s something I am looking at

Package Number - B006
Wheel - SM03
Size - 17x7.0
Color - Machined Face, Black
Package Price - $CALL
What Do I Get With The Package? In All Tempe Tyres Packages You Will Receive 4 New Wheels, 4 New Tyres, Nuts, Fitting and Balancing.

products -- link to picture of wheels

if you get those or new wheels from a shop, see what options they will give you in regards to offsets.
when i got wheels from tempe the offset turned out to be the wrong one later down the track and caused me massive headaches

[doomsday1071]

gave tempe a call considering i was hoping that those 4 stud rims would fit, the dude said straight away that they won't fit a mk3 golf.

might play it safe for now considering i am new to car projects and just keep an eye out for a someone selling 17's with specs of 4x100

not sure if anyone has heard of rustoleum paint jobs before but i am planning on painting the car black or white over the next few weeks, they also have rustoleum wheel spray paint which i will look at if buying old cheap 2nd rims


anyone ever performed a rustoleum paint job before? there's tones of videos on youtube which has inspired me to give it a go

[KI11Z]

after years of denial i've come to realise that 16's are the best suited for the mk3 platform, 17's and 15's can be pulled off well but you have to be low and that effs up daily duties....

people are getting nice results from that rustoleum but the I'm dubious as to how long it'll last under our Aussie sun.... Do it and let us know :p

[Mk3 AAA]

after years of denial i've come to realise that 16's are the best suited for the mk3 platform, 17's and 15's can be pulled off well but you have to be low and that effs up daily duties....

people are getting nice results from that rustoleum but the I'm dubious as to how long it'll last under our Aussie sun.... Do it and let us know :p

Amen, mine's looking clown car/hot wheels racer esque with the jumbo bling 17s.

16s are the happy medium, but maybe this is me just becoming old and boring.

[dylan8]

Amen, mine's looking clown car/hot wheels racer esque with the jumbo bling 17s.

16s are the happy medium, but maybe this is me just becoming old and boring.

feel free to post them back to VIC bro, ill look after them...