17 x 8" on front?

[Chipped]

Hey folks I know this has been touched on before.
17 x 8 is ok for the rear of the GTi I know some have done this but stuck with 17 x 7.5 for the front.
Has anyone put 17 x 8 rims on the front of the Gti? If so what offset allowed you to do so? Were spacers involved? Was there any need for the guards to be rolled?
Its just that all the rims I really love seem to be 17 x 8 and can be obtained out of the US or Germany and I'd almost do what I have to to the car to be able to "whack 'em" on.

Thanks in advance and sorry for going over old ground if this has been covered before.

[noone]

I have not changed my wheels, but have been looking around quite a lot for opinions.

a 7.5 can fit on the front, but offset needs to be around 45ish and not all wheels will fit.

Lower springs could cause another set of concerns...

[VWindahouse]

I think it was Kelvini who has ET 35 17x8" OZ wheels on front and rear with no probs.

[noone]

With an offset of 35? Sounds like it would clash...

I'm no expert, and understandably there are few people who want to comment on what works in case you have issues...

I'm likely to stick to 17" x 7 as its a known fit, I think anything more may incur a risk of rubbing or outright not fitting.

Same question when it comes to 205 or 215 wide rubber, some say it will, some say it won't...

[Chipped]

I'm on 17 x7.5 at the mo. No problems....

[VWindahouse]

Quote: With an offset of 35? Sounds like it would clash...

I'm no expert, and understandably there are few people who want to comment on what works in case you have issues...\

Once again it's not a case of opinion mate especially if you have not even tried any other wheel/tyre variants than stock by the sounds of things.

It clearly states here that there is no probs

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=25371

Chipped hope this helps mate

[kelvniii]

Yup yup ET 35 with 17x8 with 215/40 R17 tyres no problem!
if you lower it i recommend you use 205/40 R17 tyres

oops... pics are all gone... got to upload it again...

[Guy_H]

We ran 17 x 8.0 with ET35 no problem - with 205 tyres. Its more the tyre thats the problem than the rim!

[noone]

have not seen that thread...

Good to see the 8" wide fit! Wonder how they'd go with the H&R's.

I'm not trying to spin it one way or another, but there seem to be a lot of variables, so saying "8's will fit" is silly as springs, tyres, etc all play a part.

Hmmm, I'd been stuck on the 7"s, maybe I need to reconsider my options...

[insanekiwi]

I have 17x8, ET38. 205 width tyres.
No problems at all.

[noone]

This is Gold!

i've looked through (what i thought was every thread) on wheels, and wasn't aware of an 8" wides.

Is there a handling benefit using 8"s with a 205 tyre, or is it an aesthetic thing?

Concerned about adding unsprung weight to the car (sorry for the partial hijack)

[Chipped]

insane kiwi..are you lowered? I have H&R Springs and Bilstien shocks.

[Chipped]

This is Gold!

i've looked through (what i thought was every thread) on wheels, and wasn't aware of an 8" wides.

Is there a handling benefit using 8"s with a 205 tyre, or is it an aesthetic thing?

Concerned about adding unsprung weight to the car (sorry for the partial hijack)

Yep, more tread to the floor = more traction, better cornering, handling etc...esp in conjuction with good susp etc...I noticed huge diff going from 6.5" stock to 7.5" rims...can't wait to get on 8"'s

[Whubbsie]

17x8 et +35 all round on 205/40s lowered on H&R no problems

might actually be +32....either way haven't had any problems

[VWindahouse]

This is Gold!

i've looked through (what i thought was every thread) on wheels, and wasn't aware of an 8" wides.

Is there a handling benefit using 8"s with a 205 tyre, or is it an aesthetic thing?

Concerned about adding unsprung weight to the car (sorry for the partial hijack)

If you go Enkei RPF1 17x8" ET35 like I plan to you will save a whopping 8kgs plus over stock and IMO are my all time favourite wheels and are used world wide in bucket loads of motorsport events because of their strength and weight. You can get them on Ebay for about $1600 inc shipping with the AU dollar at the moment