R36 - wheels and fitment

[dannyjak]

Hi all

Just wanted to get a view of what kind of wheel fitments people are running on their R36?

Found a set of rims that are 19*8.5 +17, which says it will stick out a further 33mm than stock. Seems a bit extreme, although I do know people are running 19*9 +35 which sticks out 22mm further than stock. Is 11mm really that much more?

Thanks

[pat_ballam08]

I'm pretty sure flush with the guards is around 19x8.5 +45 (If you're going 19's). Pretty sure anything +17 will have issues poking out of the guards, as well as possible not fitting onto the hub without hitting suspension components.

Having said that, I'm no expert on wheel fitment. But with my previous Golf GTI I bought 18x8.5 +35 and 18x9.5 +32 without doing my research and was unable to fit them due to these issues.

[dannyjak]

Thanks Pat, looking at GTI wheel specs vs the ones you mentioned, they provide 11-13mm less inner clearance, and extend 35mm front and 51mm rear compared to Golf OEM. Hence maybe explains why it was hitting your suspension components

For the set I am looking at, because theyre not much wider than stock, just sit out alot more, inner clearance is actually increased by 21mm, but the part I'm concerned about is the sticking out by 33mm

I dont mind a bit of poke/stance, just dont want it to look ridiculous! haha also do not plan on lowering the car any lower than it already is.

If flush with guards is 8.5 +45, and I want to go +17, means 28mm more poke, seems like alot
Potentially have an option to shave 5mm or so from the back face of the wheel to being it down to 22mm

[brad]

IIRC, the other issue with 19" is finding tyres of the correct load rating - or maybe that was 20"?

[Rolls]

Keen to see what others think!
I am thinking of 18's or 19's for my car.

As 19's are larger in diameter, do we need to reset the speedo??

[brad]

Keen to see what others think!
I am thinking of 18's or 19's for my car.

As 19's are larger in diameter, do we need to reset the speedo??

you change the sidewall profile of the tyre to maintain a similar rolling diameter

this might help you understand

Tyre Size Calculator

You also have to maintain the load rating of the tyre & if you choose a lesser speed rating than what's on the tyre placard inside the fuel flap then you have to have sticker on the windscreen stating that the tyre is of a lesser speed rating.

There's a template on the RMS website.


There should be a truckload of old threads on this forum regarding wheel/tyre fitment on R36s - everyone wanted 19s when they first came out.

[hedgie]

Is there an offical wheel / fitment thread for R36 / B6 passat at all?

Edit: found this handy link(and a few others), not as much detail as I would like but good start.

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308761

[hedgie]

Is anybody running 19x10" all around?

[Rolls]

Hmm that link above seems OK.

Anyone here running 18x9.5?
Stock wheels are: (18x 235 40 R18 PCD 5x 112 +44 Offset
I am thinking of running: (18x9.5) 235 40 R18 PCD 5x 112 +40

Online Wheel and Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit

Is there any way besides trial and error (or searching online) to see if the new poke towards the strut is too much?
i.e. clearance/scrubbing issues.

Thanks!
Roland

[brad]

Measure the current clearance with the 18x8.

My rule of thumb is 6mm clearance (some say 3mm is the bare minimum).

You need 15mm extra for the new rim offset + 6mm air gap so make a 21mm thick go/no-go gauge out of timber and see if it slips in between the rim & the strut.

It's probably a good idea to check the clearance between the strut & the tyre as well but with the extra 38mm of stretch I can't see that being an issue.

The outward poke is 23mm - you should be able to work that out with a straight edge.

[Rolls]

Hey Brad,

Thanks heaps for that information.
I'm very new to the aftermarket wheels scene. Hope you can further clarify something for me...

Your statement regarding the 21mm gap, does this mean I need to do the following to try:
i.e. Twist steering wheel all the way to the left and then measure gap between closest bit of the tyre to the inside walls?

[brad]

Hey Brad,

Thanks heaps for that information.
I'm very new to the aftermarket wheels scene. Hope you can further clarify something for me...

Your statement regarding the 21mm gap, does this mean I need to do the following to try:
i.e. Twist steering wheel all the way to the left and then measure gap between closest bit of the tyre to the inside walls?

No, I mean purely static "poke" clearance with the wheels straight ahead.

Clearance on turns is a whole different ballgame - very much suck it & see. My current vehicle rubs on turns if it hits a bump - do you think I can work out where? There's no logic to it.