Tyre Offset

[Mr Pointy]

I'm looking to change the wheels on my Skoda & looking at second hand rims I've found a set with an offset of ET33. The spec for the car is ET43 to ET47 but am I correct that spacers won't correct this? I think I can change say an ET50 rim to my ET45 spec with a 5mm spacer but ET33 is in the wrong direction.

Sorry for the basic question but I'd just like to be sure - the question of positive or negative offset confused me as well.

[InitialDave]

Yes, that's the wrong direction for a spacer to help. Lower ET number means the centreline of the wheel is moved toward the outside of the car more.

[Pica-Pica]

https://www.tsw.com/explore/what-is-wheel-offset.p...

[stevieturbo]

For example, you can space ET50 to ET30, but you cannot move ET30 to ET50 without removing metal ( which is unlikely to be viable. )

And wheels have offset, tyres do not.

[Mr Pointy]

Thanks everyone, my search will continue.

[cuprabob]

Mr Pointy said:

Thanks everyone, my search will continue.

If the wheels are the same width, they may still fit, they'll just sit between 10 - 14mm closer to the wheel arch, although you may risk rubbing the tyre on the wheel arch if there's not enough clearance.

[Mr Pointy]

cuprabob said:

If the wheels are the same width, they may still fit, they'll just sit between 10 - 14mm closer to the wheel arch, although you may risk rubbing the tyre on the wheel arch if there's not enough clearance.

They weren't the same width as I'm looking at going down from 8Jx19 to 7Jx17 for a more comfortable ride. The official offset range is 43 to 47mm & ET33 just seems too far out of the range, despite it actually resulting in more inside clearance & almost exactly the same outside clearance:

[MustangGT]

That actually looks reasonable. Long time since I had a VAG product, but, does your proposed combination of wheel and tyre fall under a standard fit for any model of your car? This will make it easier for the insurance change.

[cuprabob]

Mr Pointy said:

cuprabob said:

If the wheels are the same width, they may still fit, they'll just sit between 10 - 14mm closer to the wheel arch, although you may risk rubbing the tyre on the wheel arch if there's not enough clearance.

They weren't the same width as I'm looking at going down from 8Jx19 to 7Jx17 for a more comfortable ride. The official offset range is 43 to 47mm & ET33 just seems too far out of the range, despite it actually resulting in more inside clearance & almost exactly the same outside clearance:

If that's the case, I wouldn't be too concerned with fitting those. You might find with that width and the "correct" offset the wheels will look lost in the wheel arches.

ETA:
I don't know which model of Skoda it is and what size the front brake calipers are but make sure 17" wheels will clear them.

Edited by cuprabob on Thursday 22 June 11:58