Club 80-90 Forums

PS I do appreciate all the info from everyone.

I wondered if you did a google search on how well the finish/paint lasted on MWS wheels before they started flaking/alloy corrosian what would come up?

Roland wrote:Yeah i was quite happy for my friendly mechanic mate to fit the wheels and new suitably long enough studs while i made the tea and kept my non trained eye on what he did. They tyres are suitably load rated and the wheels with an ET of 40 should be good enough if the Brickyard info is to be trusted ("So, in my eyes if you are fitting alternative wheels you should be aiming for anywhere between ET 30 and ET 39. ")
I cant really see a problem but if however it all goes wrong i will let you say you told me so .

You say the tyres are suitably load rated but don't say their actual load rating?

The Brick-Yard info you quoted is right...in a way...but you have to remember you've increased the width of the wheels by 1.5 inch from standard so taking into account the extra 10mm of positive offset(and if my maths are correct?) the inside of the wheel is approx 2cm closer to the front suspension.

6X14 VW alloys are ET30 so by fitting 7X17 wheels you need to keep the ET as close to this as possible because by going higher the wheels are "tucked in" further which not only increases the chance of the wheels/tyres catching but the whole steering geometry is altered.

Midland Wheels told you all this....right?

No, course they didn't. Anything I learn about the van is from here or Brickyard etc.

Roland wrote:No, course they didn't.

This is exactly why I would never buy alloy wheels from a so called "alloy wheel specialist" unless they have actually trial fitted the alloys to the vehicle in question and the alloys/tyres are more than adequate for the vehicle.
They think just because the stud diameter(PCD) is the same they "fit straight on" ...they don't!
It is no wonder there's hundreds of Bays,Splits and T25's running around on aftermarket alloys that aren't load rated,have the wrong offset and have tyres fitted which belong on a Vauxhall Corsa rather than on a 2 ton van!

Sorry to go on a bit but the wheels and tyres are the only point of contact between the van and the road so it makes sense to make sure that they are upto the job required.....and more to the point...safe!

Roland wrote:however it all goes wrong i will let you say you told me so ..

Please find out if it will wreck your suspension and/or possibly kill someone..or you may not get that chance.

hi i bought a set of brm,s for my t25 from vw heritage the guys were clued up and very helpfull. They tried to sell tyres with the wheels but i got tyres locally cheaper. i got them fitted and the only problem i had was the mudflap needed adjusted to clear. give them a ring they will help or check on line.


cheers Ed

harris121163 wrote:hi i bought a set of brm,s for my t25 from vw heritage the guys were clued up and very helpfull.

Apparently not clued up enough to tell you that BRM's have the wrong offset for a T25.....

not as if they do not know that these wheels are the wrong offset either. they stung me i luckily got away with only a wrecked pair of front tyres.

ricicles wrote:not as if they do not know that these wheels are the wrong offset either. they stung me i luckily got away with only a wrecked pair of front tyres.

Hi
VW Heritage are the same as SSP aren't they? I saw them down at Brighton Breeze and they were trying to convince me that they have a range of wheels that are suitable. However after looking at their site in more detail is seems as if they all have an ET of 12 or 20 (on 15x5.5 wheels) which isn't big enough is it?

Are these what you were using and they damaged your tyres?

cheers
Jane

Roland - bang some piccys up

We still all want to see what it looks like -

I've found a company that makes 18 and 19in Fuchs style wheels that would look bang on I think.
dunno about getting the correct tyres for them though

Happy with my merc rims for now though

Hi Roland,
I like the wheels - am I right in thinking they are the 5-112 PCD versions?
How is the van driving with them on?
Also - have you had it lowered? if so, by how much?

Ta!

yup, me too, love them 17"fuchs, check out "beaker's blog" for some pics, as for offsets, well I'm still not sure,???????????? yet

janieh wrote:

ricicles wrote:not as if they do not know that these wheels are the wrong offset either. they stung me i luckily got away with only a wrecked pair of front tyres.

Hi
VW Heritage are the same as SSP aren't they? I saw them down at Brighton Breeze and they were trying to convince me that they have a range of wheels that are suitable. However after looking at their site in more detail is seems as if they all have an ET of 12 or 20 (on 15x5.5 wheels) which isn't big enough is it?

Are these what you were using and they damaged your tyres?

cheers
Jane

empi 5,s had the camber and tracking done, i had to brake hard on a dual carrageway when another vehicle changed lane the van was all ver the place. got home and checked my tyres. we were just back from france, about 2.500 k i would expect them to last a little longer.

Yep they are the 5x112. I love them , I have not lowered him yet but am thinking of about 40mm. Handling is better than with the old steels on, corners much better but I think new springs and shocks will help stop bounce a bit.