TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Jul 16, 2025 2:19 pm

...a severe lack of wheels for a 4x130 pattern? I've been searching and searching and searching and I can't find anything I like (IF I decide to go aftermarket). Additionally, after watching (quite literally) HOURS of VW shows, it seems there's only a handful of wheels that most everyone has. For a car that's so extremely customizable, I'm finding that the wheel market is really void of options. Am I just not looking in the correct places?

Althought I've used them on a truck previously, I'm hesitant to use wheel spacers/adapters to get a different bolt pattern. Have any of you used them safely?

Wed Jul 16, 2025 8:37 pm

Not you, I'm wanting a 6" or 6.5" wheel, and unless I'm willing to move on from the 4X130 bolt pattern, there isn't much out there. 15" is the new 13" for wheels AND tires. There is a Brazillian company that sells a 6" wheel I would like to buy, but sourcing them is looking to be not as easy as I'd like and will soon be more costly if the tariff's take hold.

It looks like the translated their site and have made it easier to purchase. https://jfstorevw.com/

Fri Jul 18, 2025 1:51 pm

I’m wanting some JF store wheels. Was waiting to pull the trigger. No idea what this tariff stuff is going to them.
There’s Empi, Cip1, Jbugs and probably a few others for 4x130 choices. I just want a rim that isn’t over played. I like the JF 4 bolt Iron cross looking rims. Only 5.5” and nice back space. When are the tariff’s going into effect on Brazil?

Fri Jul 18, 2025 3:00 pm

I think I’m gonna order blanks and have them drilled for 5x114

Fri Jul 18, 2025 4:25 pm

This topic as quite a number of wheels that fit.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=342274

Fri Jul 18, 2025 5:02 pm

Glenn wrote: This topic as quite a number of wheels that fit.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=342274

I’ve read all 36 pages of that thread. They’re all the same.

Fri Jul 18, 2025 5:04 pm

CoastalBug wrote: They’re all the same.
Yes, they all have a 4x130 bolt pattern.

Here's something different.

Fri Jul 18, 2025 6:07 pm

Glenn wrote: CoastalBug wrote: They’re all the same.
Yes, they all have a 4x130 bolt pattern.

Here's something different.

different, but #-o ](*,) :cry: , I can't un-see that now.

Fri Jul 18, 2025 8:49 pm

ps2375 wrote: …I can't un-see that now.

Yeah there’s definitely a line that shan’t be crossed.

Mon Jul 21, 2025 5:58 pm

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2686815
Check these out.

Tue Jul 22, 2025 3:04 pm

jbbugs wrote: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2686815
Check these out.

I have those, wish they were 6". They've been on the car since the 70's. They do look good, butttt, wish they were wider.

Tue Aug 05, 2025 6:58 am

CoastalBug wrote: Althought I've used them on a truck previously, I'm hesitant to use wheel spacers/adapters to get a different bolt pattern. Have any of you used them safely?
Yes I have run adaptors on my street Buggy. It opens up a whole world of rim selection but there are some down sides.

- first and foremost is that in many jurisdictions they are not legal on the road.

-next is the strength issue. There is I believe a wide range of quality in these parts depending on who makes them. Mine had been on the car since '76 and had not failed but it is a 1400 pound car. I would not use them on a Bus or a truck that gets loaded up.

-the extra offset involved can bring on fender clearance and steering issues. The steering problems are what motivated me to get rid of them. They moved the center of the tire too far outboard of the center of the steering axis resulting in increased steering effort, bump steer and lane wondering on the highway.

- wheel balance issues. A stack up of tolerances leading to the wheels being slightly off center causing a shake that will not go away even with repeated wheel balancing. My Buddy is struggling with this one right now on his Buggy.

A bit late but I hope this helps.

Tue Aug 05, 2025 5:17 pm

oprn wrote:
Yes I have run adaptors on my street Buggy. It opens up a whole world of rim selection but there are some down sides.

- first and foremost is that in many jurisdictions they are not legal on the road.

All good points!

Although I've been researching and have a bit of a better understanding why most wheels look the same. It was the Cal-Look craze. The more I've learned about it, the fonder I've become.