VW Winter Wheels and Tyres

[HorsetoWater]

Hi Pistonheaders

So I've previously purchased a set of winter wheels and tyres through the VW dealership and rotated them every 6 months or so (live in the north of scotland, commute through the highlands every day). This is almost essential up here for my work visiting in rural communities.

We recently changed our car to a 2017 Golf R. The old wheels we bought no longer fit over the brake discs so I'm having to buy a new set. When I contacted the local VW dealership they claimed not to know about a winter wheel set and even offered to fit winter tyres on our existing 19" Prets! (duh).

This is in contrast to a VW brochure advertising winter wheel packages for the Golf R and a statement on VW UK website offering winter wheel packages.

Does anyone have a clue what's going on here?

Thanks in advance,

Pablo

[Tomo1971]

I just googled Golf R Winter Wheels and came to these two links, almost at the top of the results - maybe google hasnt reached the far north of scotland yet? ;-)

Are these of any use?

http://www.volkswagen-accessories.com/content/medi...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253927503477

[HorsetoWater]

Thanks for your attempt at wit.

That was the link I referred to in my post. As I said I've already contacted the VW dealership with that very evidence.

I was actually looking for anyone who might have some insight as to why VW are saying the winter wheel packages aren't available.

[Sheepshanks]

I remember seeing comments in the past on a mk2 Tiguan forum that the VW Winter Wheel / Tyre brochure hasn't been "adopted" by VW UK so if that's true then I guess they're not orderable by UK dealers.

[the-photographer]

You'll need to find a very helpful dealer or maybe a TPS department, its not an official UK marketing programe.

[HorsetoWater]

yes. thanks.

it's a shame. they were good with the previous car - a tiguan - and we got a set from the dealer.
have reached out to the dealer again but no joy.

I've just gone for a set of BBS + conti wintercontact from a tyre shop. probably better than the manufacturer rims and tyre choice anyway.

prob just a heads up to anyone else looking at the vw winter wheel packages to be aware.

[Sheepshanks]

HorsetoWater said:

it's a shame. they were good with the previous car - a tiguan - and we got a set from the dealer.

UK dealers might have messed this up. Apparently a few years ago VW sent loads of sets (for various models) out to dealers and they were supposed to fit them and demo to customers.

In practice they sold them off cheap from their parts departments - eBay was full of them and I got a set for wife's mk1 Tiguan for £250, they even delivered them free.

I guess you could try and order from a German dealer - it's quite common to buy winter wheels/tyres from there as they're much more readily available.

[PenelopaPitstop]

I just buy winter tyres and put them on existing alloys. Ebay is very helpful in that department. Would never bother with talking to the dealer.

[HorsetoWater]

PenelopaPitstop said:

I just buy winter tyres and put them on existing alloys. Ebay is very helpful in that department. Would never bother with talking to the dealer.

aye had thought about that but the car has 19" on. don't fancy that kind of size rubber in the snow. not even sure 19" would clear the arches plus maybe not as good as smaller dia in the white stuff.

[InitialDave]

What's the smallest wheel size that will fit over your brakes?

Also, Jon from Tyre Reviews has just done a winter tyre wheel size comparison, which you may find interesting:
https://youtu.be/mhQh3IfXac0

[HorsetoWater]

InitialDave said:

What's the smallest wheel size that will fit over your brakes?

Also, Jon from Tyre Reviews has just done a winter tyre wheel size comparison, which you may find interesting:
https://youtu.be/mhQh3IfXac0

17" apparently but some reports that if the ET is less than 45 they may not fit. 18" probably to be safe. thanks for the link to that video. seems that subjectively the 17" was best hit even then marginal differences. had thought it would be more clear cut than that.

[Condi]

Ebay, and a cheap set of used alloys and tyres.


If you go on the internet you'll find all the different sizes, offsets etc to fit. Find the minimum rim size, and you'll get a set on ebay with winter tyres. Expect to pay £200-£500.

[PenelopaPitstop]

HorsetoWater said:

aye had thought about that but the car has 19" on. don't fancy that kind of size rubber in the snow. not even sure 19" would clear the arches plus maybe not as good as smaller dia in the white stuff.

My car came on 21 inch and I bought 21 inch winter tyres. Import from Germany, as brand new in UK quite expensive for required size.

[Dewi-asl8m]

Try will they fit.com

[CEREC1]

I bought a set of Seat Leon 19 inch wheels and fitted a set on winter Continentals that I had on an RS3.
Leon wheels look pretty nice on my mk 7.5 Golf GTI

[Kompressor89]

I put together a set of new 17" OEM Akiros (Passat) wheels buying up ex-display stock from main dealers/ebay, fitted them with Nokian winters, and have used them on both my previous Golf Rs with no probs. Will be putting them on my Clubsport soon, ready for the winter.