TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:58 am

BCgee wrote: The Tiguan steelies look good. Have a set on my overland trailer - interchangeable with Syncro in a pinch.

I've been looking at a set for winter tires. Do you have big brakes or anything on there and any clearance issues?

Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:23 am

robertgriner wrote: Thanks all. Seriously. I live in Kansas City and the wind here is crazy. I'm drifting all over the road with my little 14" wheels/tires when it's windy. When it's a windy drive, I choose not to drive my VW.

There is too much reading to cause you to be neurotic about some of this stuff..

Passenger tire syndrome.

You'll have the same problem if you put passenger tires on your 16-in wheels. Get at least XL tires.

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:14 pm

michaelasnider wrote: BCgee wrote: The Tiguan steelies look good. Have a set on my overland trailer - interchangeable with Syncro in a pinch.

I've been looking at a set for winter tires. Do you have big brakes or anything on there and any clearance issues?

I would recommend a set for winter use.

If memory serves the 16" Tiguan Steelies work with no mods to the front wheels, but to use on the rear you must clearance the internal hub opening a few millimeters. There is a good explanation by T3Technique on another Samba thread.

I do not have a big brake kit and cannot comment on tiguan steelies comparability with some of the aftermarket calipers etc. Tire choice is as always important; these trailer wheels are pushing it at 225/75/16 and while they can be swapped to the Vanagon if needed, I have both a full size spare for the van and for the trailer making the compatibility more an insurance policy.

Suerte.

Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:28 pm

Quote: Just curious..have you ever tried holding the factory hubcap up to those GW steel rims. I'm wondering if it fits over the center raised area. I'd love to use these if I could figure a way to fit the original cap. I've been trying to get in touch with Stockton Wheel about re hooping my 14s but so far they've been impossible to get in touch with.

I haven't done that. Sorry I can't help with that. Perhaps GW would know?

Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:24 am

https://www.ebay.es/itm/4-Cerchi-Volkswagen-T2-T3-...1879598493

these fit, i've got them :)

Sat Oct 30, 2021 11:47 am

I just purchased and received those steel wheels from small car. Any one see a reason why I should change studs? They are for the syncro.

Sun Oct 31, 2021 12:06 pm

Like Chris said, adding spacers isn't that much added work..I've been running them for years and never had any issue aside from a tire shop not wanting to do the actual bolting on of the wheels..
Get your numbers and browse eBay. Most sellers post the ET. And if they fit Mercedes the hub bore should be ok, but come here and ask before purchase.

Mon Nov 01, 2021 7:45 am

I am using 16” wheels I got off of eBay along with spacers and longer studs/ bolts from T3. I believe they are called Pacer. I am also using a Tiguan space saver for my spare. I did clearance the center hole quite a bit

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2010147

Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:30 am

michaelasnider wrote:
I've been looking at a set for winter tires. Do you have big brakes or anything on there and any clearance issues?

Mounted, no clearance issues with GW big brakes. Centerbore opened up to fit, 215/65R16 studded Nokian Hakkapeliittas.

Mon Nov 01, 2021 4:41 pm

Not 16's ...but anyone looking for 17's in Alloy form I got a set of these.
They bolt right on, stock nuts and bolts, no spacers, clears the door.
I'm on H&R / Koni suspension.. but they seem like decent wheels. I have NOT been careful with them and no bends no problems going on 4 years with them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274886863338

Tue Nov 02, 2021 6:41 pm

dieseltdi wrote: ... I am also using a Tiguan space saver for my spare. I did clearance the center hole quite a bit

Say more ! What year Tiguan (or would all years be the same)? How did you go about widening the center hole? Does this space saver spare fit in the clamshell without modification, or did you have to mod it in some way?

Wed Nov 03, 2021 7:07 am

I honestly don’t remember the year of Tiguan. Since it was just a space saver spare, I clearanced the center myself with a grinder and barrel sanders. If it was a road wheel, I would have taken it to a machine shop to get the center hole widened so it would balance properly. It will not fit in the clam shelll. If you use the extender kit sold here on SAMBA by one of the members, it will sort of fit but not really. I honk the limit on the clamshell is reall a 15” wheel. I have mine mounted on the back on a swing away tire carrier. Hayden

Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:35 am

What size tires are you running on those wheels Bub?

Bub wrote: Not 16's ...but anyone looking for 17's in Alloy form I got a set of these.
They bolt right on, stock nuts and bolts, no spacers, clears the door.
I'm on H&R / Koni suspension.. but they seem like decent wheels. I have NOT been careful with them and no bends no problems going on 4 years with them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274886863338

Sun Jan 23, 2022 1:40 pm

I recently mounted up these Alcar 16" steel ET33 rims on a Club Joker Syncro. The van had Mefro 15" steel ET30 rims before, and the hardware all fit these rims perfectly.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/383512920587?hash=item594b26c20b:g:4HcAAOSwMLNhcDQi

Sun Jan 23, 2022 9:15 pm

I'm running the same Alcar 16x7et33s. I realized I haven't taken a good picture of them, but they fit really nicely.

Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:17 pm

Never mind the wheels. Tell us about your garage door. Can you remove the section over the roll up door to be able to get a high top in?

Duncan

Mon Jan 24, 2022 4:38 pm

The transom beam is not removable, the doors are 8' high, 9' wide. No high tops unfortunately. Side note: Everyone should use jackshaft garage door openers, not the overhead chain/belt driven bs.

Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:51 pm

Christopher Schimke wrote: I assume we are talking about a 2wd here? If so, all Audi and VW wheels will require modifications (centerbore enlarged) and almost all will require spacers and lugs, so that pretty much eliminates all of them from your want of unmodified wheels.

There are only two 16" Mercedes wheels that I am aware of that can potentially be installed without spacers and/or longer studs.

One is part # 2034000302 and/or 2084000102 (same wheel, different part number) and is a 16x7 ET37 steel wheel from a '98-'05 C240 or C320 and a '98-'03 CLK320. No mods required to the wheels, just the use of small ball seat lugs.

The other wheel is the forged alloy wheel from the '98-'01 CLK320, part number 2084010002.

There is also another Mercedes 16" steel wheel with a slightly different offset
P/N 2034001602
16 x 7 (7Jx16H2)
ET31

As I may have mentioned in other threads - I bought them new from from my local MB dealer in 2019 for around $68-72 dollars. No shipping, but sales tax, of course. I think the list was $78. Was cheaper than any mail order of Genuine MB rims, due to no shipping. Had them in a few days.

Good thing too - discovered small cracks on some of my CLK Forged Alloys - inside rim lip on more than one. Switched to these and got tires mounted for a trip just in time. Steel is real.

Thanks for Jake de Villiers on this site for the info!