Confirmed - 19 inch rims are not real flash for driving on NQ highways!

[Angryman]

Hey guys

I have had my Golf R for 6 weeks now, just racked up 15000km's and it turns out that all four rims on the car are buckled. Now your probably thinking what the hell did you hit, where did you drive? Its not a case of hitting one mammoth pot hole its just a series of not so much potholes but those awesome deviations and dips in the road height that you cant see until you feel your car hit them at 100km/h.

I live in North Queensland and the roads up here are garbage at best, especially after Cyclone Yasi blew the place to pieces. Got a quote from VW for $4650 for 4 new black 19's but they're not even in the country, so my question is, can I drive another 1700 km's on four buckled rims that are producing a slight vibration?

I just got down to Brisbane yesterday morning and I'm thinking my other option is to just find 4 "whatever" rims and get them put on whilst I send off the originals to get re-rolled somewhere.

Does anyone know of anywhere in Brisbane that would have 4 rims to slap straight onto an R first thing monday morning?

[Leon]

Wow, I wouldn't have thought it would be so easy to destroy them! I feel for you dude, especially considering the replacement cost.

[Pepe]

15,000km in 6 weeks? That's 360km a day? Wow...

As for buckled wheels, well, if it was me, I'd be getting the "whatever" option as fast as you can. Buckled rims are not going to be particularly safe in an emergency situation, so I'd be getting some 18s on there pronto. Also, how do wheels like that stand up to being re-rolled? I would have thought metal fatigue would play a big part there and you'll end up with some nice round rims, but they won't be as strong; a big concern given the description of the roads you drive on daily.

[nat225]

a set of bbs ch in 19x8 would be well under 4650 from UK. there's also OZ ultraleggera and other options.

or go for forged wheels as they're stronger.

what psi were you running on the 235 35 19? for such a low profiled tyres i would not run under 38psi.

minor buckled wheels (if ONLY vibration is what you feel, but if the steering is shaking a lot, then replace them ASAP) are not as risky as some would think, unless you drive the R like you stole it everytime. just drive gently and you'll be fine until you find a replacement set.

[Angryman]

Thanks guy, yes the vibration is not through the steering wheel yet, just mildly through the seat of my pants when I drive on a really smooth road, but it is getting worse. Hoping they will hold up till I get back to Cairns. The new Tiguan arrives end of April so the R will be parked up after that and will only be driving around Cairns, so if they are rerolled hopefully they will be fine. I was just going to get the wife to drive it to and from work which is like 3 km's over the next two months with the spare on whilst I send 1 away every couple of weeks to get fixed.

Not sure on the pressures to be honest, what ever they roll off the show room floor with! And I drive down to the mines every four days which is almost 900km's one way so that's why so many clicks! But a heads up for other R owners in the North, feather that bad boy on the highways and have an extra set of eyes looking out for depressions in the road as a couple hits and you'll be up for new wheels

[Corey_R]

Not sure on the pressures to be honest, what ever they roll off the show room floor with!

This can be greatly variable. They're set as high as 50psi from the factory for the trip over on the boat. That's way above what you can safely drive on. We've had examples where those pressures have held and the dealer has forgotten to drop them to something more reasonable. But I don't believe there is any "set figure" that they roll away from the dealer at. I'd say it'd vary from dealer to dealer, and maybe even between each preparation tech.

But you're right. The larger the rim diameter and the lower the tyre profile, the more chance there is of buckling them! I'd suggest going for 18's if you intend to continue to drive on these roads...

[Angryman]

IT was only a stop gap measure, Tiguan will be here in 6 weeks, problem solved!

[Rsome]

But a heads up for other R owners in the North, feather that bad boy on the highways and have an extra set of eyes looking out for depressions in the road as a couple hits and you'll be up for new wheels

That's why I went with the stock 18's. The roads around here are bad enough that you spend just as much time looking for potholes as you do watching the other traffic.

[Blitzen]

Just moved from Townsville to Canberra, and oh, the difference!!! No doubt, North Qld has the worst roads in Australia... I feel for you man!!

[Corey_R]

Canberra has excellent roads... should be obvious why

[Ideo]

That's why I went with the stock 18's. The roads around here are bad enough that you spend just as much time looking for potholes as you do watching the other traffic.

That's why I went 18 as well. Do a bit of dirt road and country road driving.

[Sammy125TDi]

Get the wheels repaired!

I had 2 detroits un-buckled for less than $200 in sydney.

[gecko2k]

Sorry to hear, I guess you would be better of with a SUVv or 4x4 to go inland to the mines! whey don't they fly you in like they do with heaps of other people in the mine business!

btw I would loooove hit the Kuranda Range one day in a Golf R/GTI

[Blitzen]

btw I would loooove hit the Kuranda Range one day in a Golf R/GTI

Kuranda Range isn't the best run up there... Head up the Gillies Hwy if you want an awesome run, then take in the Tablelands up through Mareeba and the back way to Port Douglas...

[gecko2k]

Maybe, but it's a nice short one, always enjoyed it, sometimes even in our old auto subarua

Tablelands are definitely worth the drive, I would worry about the wheels though....