What wheels to fit on a 16"?

[jed the spread]

Its always hard for a Syncro to pull off wearing a set of alloys. I have only ever seen a few syncros that have an unorthodox set of alloys that look right IMHO and most just make a van look like an unconvincing transvestite, kind of like Pete Burns

I have a set of deep dish Merc steel wheels that look bang on, but they are really soft and bend really easy. I found Mefros sit a bit far in without spacers and longer studs but are to be fair very strong and cant be knocked.

jed

[stevealex]

I know what you mean, I liked pentas and merc ml alloys; I think for a syncro they need to be chunkier than alot of car alloys look (never mind how they perform ).

Wider is really just aesthetic, I don't want to start a debate whether wider (modern 4x4) or skinny (old land rover etc) is better, you never know where that might lead
I don't think going up an inch in width should make much difference better or worse though.

If I'm not buying wheels then maybe that means I can go for BF Goodrich, Limey does look good with them on.

Steve

[syncropaddy]

Its always hard for a Syncro to pull off wearing a set of alloys. I have only ever seen a few syncros that have an unorthodox set of alloys that look right IMHO and most just make a van look like an unconvincing transvestite, kind of like Pete Burns

I have a set of deep dish Merc steel wheels that look bang on, but they are really soft and bend really easy.

jed

Ronal / Projektzwo and Pentas is about it I reckon. Pete Burns ....... is he a convincing anything?



This is a Mercedes 7 x 15 ET25 wheel and is plenty strong and lighter than a Mefro

[jed the spread]

Its always hard for a Syncro to pull off wearing a set of alloys. I have only ever seen a few syncros that have an unorthodox set of alloys that look right IMHO and most just make a van look like an unconvincing transvestite, kind of like Pete Burns

I have a set of deep dish Merc steel wheels that look bang on, but they are really soft and bend really easy.

jed

Ronal / Projektzwo and Pentas is about it I reckon. Pete Burns ....... is he a convincing anything?



This is a Mercedes 7 x 15 ET25 wheel and is plenty strong and lighter than a Mefro

Yeh that might be the ones I have, I swapped them with Al for something a while back. They do look bob on like and if Mefros sat like that, I think they would have the ultimate rim. However... (ready for the me me me me me post that happens forum wide when anyone has a question about anything that usually hasn't got anything to do about the OP) I can only advise someone who is thinking about rims (alloy/steel) like the OP and it is in my limited experience of driving both on and off the road might find helpful.

This is a Mercedes 7 x 15 ET25 wheel and is plenty strong and lighter than a Mefro

If I have the Mercedes 7 x 15 ET25 wheel, then in my limited experience this isn't true I have followed exactly the same line as friends, one on Audi alloys and one on Mefros on more than one of our 5 a year trips out around the UK and the Merc wheels are Pi55 poor and every time I pop them on they bend and I have to take a hammer to them. OK its quite tame the roads we drive on the camping trips and to be honest we are not really into off roading if the truth is to be told, but on our mission to find cool wild camping spots Merc wheels are not up to it. I have done about 50,000 miles on Mefros over my two Syncros and have never had to bash them with a hammer once.

It became so regular on the Mercs that I filmed it on one of our gentle weekends wild camping as it was becoming a bit of a joke, me keep stopping bashing my rims Its 3:20 onward on this video clip http://campervanculture.com/2011/03/syncro-wales-4x/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and it has happened since a few times...

Thanks for letting me know what they are though as one now is looking like a hexagon and I only have a set of 6 so one will need replacing soon before the next time we go out and I have to put the scruffy trainers on the van.

jed

[syncropatrick]

Get the 16" mefro's in my opinion...900kg rated and specced to do the job......were these the VW OEM of choice I wonder?...does anyone know that?

The Mefro's we buy now are Trailer wheels. Mefro make wheels for most car manufactures and probably made wheels for the T3 but the wheels we now buy for our T3's are not OEM !!

225/75/16 are about as wide as you can go on a 6" rim. Why wide any way? Wide isnt always good.

I have 225/75/16 BFG ATs on my Mefros. They only just fitted within the stock 16" arches after a 30mm lift. Any wider and tyre rub will happen unless arches are stretched as well IMO.

[Mudlark]

Steel wheels every time in my opinion. Got hold of a set of Projekt tzo (sp?) alloys last year 16" x7.5 and took one look at them propped up against the side of the van and sold them on without a second thought. Weight of wheel was also a consideration for me; all that extra mass on the ends of the drive train did not seem like a good idea.

Merc steels are very weak, relevant to the weight of the van on them but even the dodoka managed to peel one of its rims with consummate ease at Coney one year; it helps if the tyres have rim edge protection moulded in like the BF's do to minimise the risk of something catching.

Spend a bit of money on getting the original black centre caps and nut covers to finish the steels off nicely like this

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KaIv ... C00147.JPG

[syncropaddy]

If I have the Mercedes 7 x 15 ET25 wheel, then in my limited experience this isn't true I have followed exactly the same line as friends, one on Audi alloys and one on Mefros on more than one of our 5 a year trips out around the UK and the Merc wheels are Pi55 poor and every time I pop them on they bend and I have to take a hammer to them. OK its quite tame the roads we drive on the camping trips and to be honest we are not really into off roading if the truth is to be told, but on our mission to find cool wild camping spots Merc wheels are not up to it. I have done about 50,000 miles on Mefros over my two Syncros and have never had to bash them with a hammer once.

jed

The part number of the wheels I have is A 126 400 28 02 and have the correct rating as regards weight and an ET 25. What part number have you got on yours? These wheels appear to be the steelies of choice 'sur le continent' as they will take the 235/75/15 BFG tyre so loved by out German friends. I spent a sad few hours photographing steel wheels at Syncro25 and checking for part numbers and the majority of steels that were not Mefro's were these ones

[KarlT]

On the other side, someone (I think S'Paddy) said there was a massive MPG saving for him when switching from steel to alloy. Can't remember what tyres changes there were, but something definately to consider.

I think these look cool.........(how heavy is an fully loaded E class anyhow?)



Just wait till I get them fitted with BFG AT. .....ohhhh, yeah....can you feel it!!!

[hugomonkey]

i like these cv-900 alloys they seem to tick all the right boxes as far as size and load are concerned
don`t have any idea what they cost or where you can get them
http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/ ... CV_900.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
regards

[syncropaddy]

On the other side, someone (I think S'Paddy) said there was a massive MPG saving for him when switching from steel to alloy.

'twas indeed but I was referring to MT's on Mefros and if I remember correctly without looking it up, I was saving about 8Kgs per wheel. Heavy wheels affect handling, braking, fuel consumption and component life, its why alloys were invented in the first place.

[lloydy]

i like these cv-900 alloys they seem to tick all the right boxes as far as size and load are concerned
don`t have any idea what they cost or where you can get them
http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/ ... CV_900.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
regards

tells you on the link

16" WHEEL PRICING
The pricing for the 16" Wheel is $230 per wheel plus local delivery in the USA. Local delivery will cost a maximum of $19 per wheel but less if you someplace other than the west coast. Below $19 shipping will be charged at actual cost, and there are now new lower rates through Federal Express Ground that beat UPS's best rates so we will use that. There are even lower cost solutions through Consolidated Freight and/or Forward Air that I am looking into. If you live in the New York City… Washington DC axis, then I can most likely bring you your wheels to you or you can come get them. If you live in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, or elsewhere in the world shipping will be charged at actual cost. Note that the shipping to European locations is minimal. I will be maintaining an inventory of spare wheels here in Washington DC in the event that you need to buy just one more.
HOW TO ORDER
If you would like to order this wheel, email me at derekdrew AT derekmail.com.

[Mudlark]

..... Heavy wheels affect handling, braking, fuel consumption and component life, its why alloys were invented in the first place.

Yup; and going from 14 to 15 or even 16" and from 5.5" width to 6 or or more is going to cost in tyre weight and in many other ways as well ?

From elsewhere: "Tyre weights are just as, if not more, important than wheel weights. Tyres are further from the axis of the rotation and therefore have a larger effect on steering feel, suspension movement, acceleration and braking. Also remember that larger diameter tyres weigh more than smaller diameter tyres. Something to think about when going with plus-sized wheels."

So any gains you get from going alloy can be offset by going larger.

[..lee..]

i think thats the idea. going bigger and going alloy can balance out a bit.

the 16" syncro was obviously designed to cope with the std 16" wheel which iirc are made from old tanks ans way about the same.

[syncropaddy]

Anyone know the weight of a standard VW 16" wheel fitted with a 205/16 tyre?

It should be pointed out here that 16" vehicles have different brakes, shocks, wheel bearings and driveshafts for a reason

[hugomonkey]

i like these cv-900 alloys they seem to tick all the right boxes as far as size and load are concerned
don`t have any idea what they cost or where you can get them
http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/ ... CV_900.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
regards

tells you on the link

16" WHEEL PRICING
The pricing for the 16" Wheel is $230 per wheel plus local delivery in the USA. Local delivery will cost a maximum of $19 per wheel but less if you someplace other than the west coast. Below $19 shipping will be charged at actual cost, and there are now new lower rates through Federal Express Ground that beat UPS's best rates so we will use that. There are even lower cost solutions through Consolidated Freight and/or Forward Air that I am looking into. If you live in the New York City… Washington DC axis, then I can most likely bring you your wheels to you or you can come get them. If you live in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, or elsewhere in the world shipping will be charged at actual cost. Note that the shipping to European locations is minimal. I will be maintaining an inventory of spare wheels here in Washington DC in the event that you need to buy just one more.
HOW TO ORDER
If you would like to order this wheel, email me at derekdrew AT derekmail.com.

saw that i meant here and now as it was quite an old link