Wheel discussion

[TouringBubble]

I began browsing for wheels for the GTI yesterday, and had some questions ...

The GTI came stock in '07 with 17x7+54 wheels, 18x7.5+51 or 18x8+50 wheels.

So, based on stock rules (stock size with +/- 5mm offset), would a 17x7.5+45 or 17x8+45 be a legal wheel size? Or, if I want the 7.5" width, do I have to go with an 18" wheel?

Also, I'd really like to go with a 16x7.5+45, but I don't think the MKV GTI ever came with 16" wheels. This would be a legal choice for ST (since that's where Katie will likely be running for a while).

After I get this sorted ... I just have to tackle that damn 5x112 bolt pattern ...

[TouringBubble]

Well, I'm guessing that "it is the same width and diameter as standard" means that to get the 7.5" or 8" width I have to go 18" ... that sucks. Looks like the GTI is getting a STX build then ...

[rodhx]

yep, you've answered your own question

STX limits for 2wd are 9" wheel width, 265mm tire width

[TouringBubble]

Well, for running in B'Ham we'll likely build the car to ST specs since she's running there. Anywhere else it would have to be STX. So, I guess we'll just stick to the ST runes for now and then worry about STX later.

That means keeping the cats and a 7.5" wheel. I'm sure there's more too ... the ST classes confuse me since cars can jump between ST, STX and STU or whatever unlike the S, SP and SM classes where the car just is where it is.

She wants suspension mods eventually anyway, so the car will be ST(X) anyway soon.

[rodhx]

Yeah, most of the allowed ST mods are common across the classes, and some cars fit in more than one class.

With a quick scan of rules it looks like the differences between ST & STX are: wheel/tire width, brake rotors, cats (have to keep them in both, but allowances different), and limited slips.

[TouringBubble]

Ah ... well, only one cat on the GTI. Either way ...

[rodhx]

Andy Hollis won STX at Nationals with an ST-legal car, and wasn't the only one trying it. Here's a thread of interest

[Cholewa]

You can't get goals on a GTI? those are 17x7.5 with like, a +48 et.. I'm pretty sure you could order all wheels available to the line up and have them installed at port.

the only 16's were the spares and 1 set of rabbit wheels.

[TouringBubble]

I didn't actually look over the optional wheels ... good point. I only looked at GTI specific wheels. Sadly, the Jetta had several 16" options.

[chuck schultz]

How about the wheel sizes that the manufacturer recommends for snow tires? I believe those may also be legal in stock and other classes.

[Cholewa]

How about the wheel sizes that the manufacturer recommends for snow tires? I believe those may also be legal in stock and other classes.

It has to be a port installed option, and vw does not install a car with optional snows in the US.

And in all honesty, you could just say "The car is a volkswagen GOLF, these are all the different wheels for the golf line." And be done.

[TouringBubble]

According to VW, the GTI is a different model in the MKV, not a trim level like the MKIV. That might be legal, but I'm not certain. In the past, it was the Golf GTI, but the MKV is the Rabbit and the GTI ... different cars on paper.

[ScotS]

FWIW, everywhere else in the world, the GTI has always been a trim level of the Golf. In the US, it's separation is strictly marketing.

[rodhx]

And it's those marketing differentiations that bite you in the butt sometimes when it comes to the stock classes.

Liability lawyers get you also. Look at the new Hyundai Genesis which, as I understand it, comes from the factory with camber bolts but, because they say "off road use only", you can't install them in stock class.

[TouringBubble]

FWIW, everywhere else in the world, the GTI has always been a trim level of the Golf. In the US, it's separation is strictly marketing.

And only for the MKV did they make this distinction ... kinda sucks.