Steel wheels

[njg02]

Guys, what steel 14" wheels are suitable for my '11 diesel 6R?

Why shouldn't I use them?

Why I want them is to put more rubber between the edges of the potholes and my rims. I was thinking of going 185/60 or 65 series or even 195/60.
I know I have to keep it legal but I put an egg on one of my tyres a couple of weeks ago after the rain we had up here. I wouldn't want to wreck an alloy rim. I commute 100km each way on the bruce hwy between Rocky and Gladstone every day. I don't think I can go to a 60 series on my 15's.

Neil

[rayray086]

Think the base model 9N3 Polos came with 5x100 14" steelies. Otherwise, Mk4 Golf steelies also came in 14" versions. Should fit your Polo without problems. Post up in the WTB thread if you're looking for a set mate, bound to be someone out there that want to part out their steelies.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

[kaanage]

Yep, they did with 185/60R14 tyres which seemed undersized to me (I would have thought they'd be 185/65/R14), given that the 15" wheels came with 195/55R15.

You can also get 14" alloys from the MkIV Golf - I got a set so I could downsize to 175/65R14 (the tyres I wanted didn't come in 175/70R14)

[Diesel_vert]

Guys, what steel 14" wheels are suitable for my '11 diesel 6R?

Why shouldn't I use them?

Why I want them is to put more rubber between the edges of the potholes and my rims. I was thinking of going 185/60 or 65 series or even 195/60.
I know I have to keep it legal but I put an egg on one of my tyres a couple of weeks ago after the rain we had up here. I wouldn't want to wreck an alloy rim. I commute 100km each way on the bruce hwy between Rocky and Gladstone every day. I don't think I can go to a 60 series on my 15's.

Neil

The factory fitment is 175/70 R14 84T tyres on 5.0 J x 14 ET35 wheels. But as you'll soon see, that particular tyre isn't a factory approved fitment for a 66TDI DSG (incorrect load index).

I would definitely try fitting 185/60 R15 first before committing to 14s. You have nothing to lose (both 185/60 R15 and 195/55 R15 are factory fitments) and if you are satisfied with their performance, then you'll have saved time and resources chasing a set of 14" wheels and tyres.

However, VW in all of their infinite wisdom has specified the 66TDI DSG with 185/60 R15 88H XL tyres (admittedly, it has the heaviest gross front axle weight of all the variants - including the GTI), so keep an eye out for the load and speed index.

If there's little improvement, then 175/70 R14 88T XL would be the go, but it's not an easy tyre to find.

...

For completeness sake, the 66TDI manual (as well as the rest of the range) can be fitted with 175/70 R14 84T or 185/60 R15 84T tyres.

The 77TDI can be fitted with 185/60 R15 84H tyres, but it also uses the same 288 mm front discs as the GTI, so it can't be fitted with 14" wheels.

[njg02]

What about 165/70r14 81T m&s. To go on my 66tdi dsg? Its about the same size overall.
Neil

[alexaescht]

Steel wheels

For completeness sake, the 66TDI manual (as well as the rest of the range) can be fitted with 175/70 R14 84T or 185/60 R15 84T tyres.

The 77TDI can be fitted with 185/60 R15 84H tyres, but it also uses the same 288 mm front discs as the GTI, so it can't be fitted with 14" wheels.

1. Don't think you can buy a 77TDI in the Polo, but there is a 77TSI (which has the smaller front brakes) which could allow 14" wheels.

2. The 66TDI, both the Manual and DSG, use the same front brakes as the GTI (I have a manual 66TDI and I can confirm the fronts are the same as the GTI's) so I don't think 14" wheels will fit any Australian diesel Polo 6R.

[Diesel_vert]

What about 165/70r14 81T m&s. To go on my 66tdi dsg? Its about the same size overall.
Neil

If purchasing a 175/70 R14 88T XL tyre is impractical, a 185/70 R14 88T tyre would be the most appropriate option. It has the required load index and in fact, should offer a slightly better ride.

A 175/70 R14 84T tyre would be less suitable, but at least its maximum load capacity (500 kg per tyre, 1000 kg per axle) still exceeds the vehicle's maximum front axle load (960 kg). However, you'll probably have to increase the (cold) inflation pressure stated on the sticker to accommodate your car's weight and suspension configuration.

I strongly recommend against fitting a 165/70 R14 81T tyre to any Polo 66TDI. Its maximum load capacity (462 per tyre, 924 kg per axle) is less than the maximum front axle load (960 kg). A big no-no in terms of safety.

1. Don't think you can buy a 77TDI in the Polo, but there is a 77TSI (which has the smaller front brakes) which could allow 14" wheels.

2. The 66TDI, both the Manual and DSG, use the same front brakes as the GTI (I have a manual 66TDI and I can confirm the fronts are the same as the GTI's) so I don't think 14" wheels will fit any Australian diesel Polo 6R.

If you measure the front discs on your Polo 66TDI to be 288 mm, then I will edit my post. But until then:

The 77TDI (not sold here) and the GTI are fitted with 288 mm diameter front discs, which cannot be fitted with 14" wheels.

The rest of the range, including the 66TDI, are fitted with 256 mm diameter front discs.

For MY13 models, this information may or may not apply.

[alexaescht]

Steel wheels

Diesel_vert:


Originally posted in the 'Polo 6R Braking' thread.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f128/polo-6r-braking-thread-mainly-gti-diesel-69737-3.html

The TDI has the same braking package as the GTI. Why? The extra weight over the front axle of the diesel engine. The less powerfull models make do with the Mk4 Golf standard brake package of 256mm vented front rotors and 232mm solid rears. The GTI goes up to the 288mm front ventilated rotor, the bigger 2205square mm piston, but retains the same rear discs and caliper, albeit in red (so more betterer).

I'll admit, I haven't measured my rotors. But when they were replaced 30,000 kms ago, I clearly remember the mechanic checking the VIN and saying "Yours has the bigger brakes, because its diesel".

[njg02]

Thanks guys. I'll check my discs. The reason for the 165 tyres is I found some rims with these tyres on them for a not too bad a price.
Neil

[amazeer]

the current german trendlines are fitted with 5Jx14 with 175/70... But they could also be fitted with smaller brakes.

[Diesel_vert]

the current german trendlines are fitted with 5Jx14 with 175/70... But they could also be fitted with smaller brakes.

Yes. Like the vast majority of the range, they'd be fitted with the standard 256 mm front brakes.

I've read that MY13 77TSI models are now fitted with 288 mm front brakes, but I haven't verified that.

[njg02]

my 2011 66tdi has 256mm front rotors.

[alexaescht]

Steel wheels

my 2011 66tdi has 256mm front rotors.

That's weird. Maybe the diesels don't have the bigger brakes after all.

So it seems Diesel_vert was right after all (sorry mate). But just to check, I'll rip a wheel of the Polo tomorrow evening and give it a measure...

[gavs]

Steel wheels

66tdi I measured back when I wrote that post indeed had 288mm rotors on it, that was back in 2010. I know because that's what I went I the dealership to buy, regretfully got a GTI instead

[alexaescht]

Steel wheels

Yeah Gav I just checked mine and they're 256mm.

Maybe they dropped the bigger brakes just like they dropped the centre armrest, underseat drawers and rear power outlet after the 2010 version?