19" Wheels - Plastic Guard Flares

[Allegiance]

Hi Guys,

I'm buying a genuine set of 19" Talladega's for the Golf R, my car originally came with 18s (obviously). I've noticed the Golf R that comes with 19" wheels from the factory has something additional fitted to the fender - Golf R 19" Option (Dealer does fender screw mod)

Will I need this to prevent the wheels rubbing or is this just for the ADR rules?

Thanks!

[888JAMES]

HI

My Golf R and all the golf R's in South Africa come standard with 19" talladega's. I thoght the plastic inserts were for water dispersal or something like that.
In some countries you have a choice of black or plain talladega's, we were only offered the plain.

[Perun]

Purely cosmetic. Standard wheels rubbing on a standard car is just unacceptable, and the only car I know which has done that is the AU2/3 Falcon. Like James said, it's to minimise the amount of crap your tyres throw onto the body work.

[Lucas_R]

19" Talladega Wheels on Golf R

The plastic little add on's are an ADR thing because the tyres stick out from the body work ever so slightly in those spots.

Several Audi sport models have them aswell.

[AdamD]

The plastic little add on's are an ADR thing because the tyres stick out from the body work ever so slightly in those spots.

Correct, it's a legal requirement. ADRs prohibit the wheels from extending beyond the guards at certain key points, and the plastic lip extenders get around that problem by being classified as part of the guard.

[brimway]

Even the current Ford Fiesta has them on the rear to meet ADRs

[Allegiance]

Nothing to worry about then

Thanks guys!

[Daz85]

Just had my front plastic wheel flares replaced under warranty today. They were pretty much already falling off when i got the car a few months ago. I am guessing on the ze little germans did not stick them on properly or someone at pre delivery broke them.

[BL4CK_R]

I've also done some research on this and VW actually have instructions for when changing wheels such as these tabs, alignment also gets a mention for camber on the rear. The other thing I also found is that on cars with 19s from the factory it has a different PR number for the steering to the cars that come with 18s. Car with 19s come with what is notated as w/ reduced steering height. I am trying to find out what this is as want to know if does have any affect on the car in any way, so if anyone knows let us all know.

[Allegiance]

I've also done some research on this and VW actually have instructions for when changing wheels such as these tabs, alignment also gets a mention for camber on the rear. The other thing I also found is that on cars with 19s from the factory it has a different PR number for the steering to the cars that come with 18s. Car with 19s come with what is notated as w/ reduced steering height. I am trying to find out what this is as want to know if does have any affect on the car in any way, so if anyone knows let us all know.

I'd be really interested to know this.

[BL4CK_R]

After some lengthy research I finally found that the difference in the steering rack is a different steering rack providing less lock to lock stopping any chance of the larger 19s fouling any part of the inner guard or suspension. The official response from VW technical is as

Dear Shane,

Thank you for your email and enquiry. Our technical department advise:

-has to do with lock to lock travel of the steering rack.

-As the 19 inch rims are bigger its possible they may foul on a suspension part or inner guard.

-Each PR number belongs to a package and for each package there is a different steering rack.
Apart from that they are the same.

So looks like no affect on the cars handling, steering etc. It's just that if you do experience any rubbing you will have to not use full lock.

[Lucas_R]

^ that makes sense i guess, as i have the 19inch wheels on my car and the turning circle is rubbish.

Also my car is lowered 20mm and it doesn't scrub/rub anywhere.

[Machine]

I've wondered why I can't make a simple U turn! I thought it was the AWD.