Any latest updates on good wheel/tire combos?

MGVWfan · Post by **MGVWfan** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:57 pm

I'm getting close to the end of the set of Kumhos on my '73 412 Variant. I'll need to replace them in maybe a year. They were cheap, and handled acceptably for normal driving, and did well to get the car back on the road. I've got Baja Champion wheels, 15", stock width, 165/80-15. I'd like to start looking for wider wheels to fit more modern tyres, but I don't want to get too radical and screw up the ride quality or suspension. So, Ray and the T4 braintrust, what sort of aluminum wheel (preferably something I can pick up in the breaker's yard) fits and gives the opportunity to fit better rubber?

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:22 am

You know...thats the area whereI really have not spent alot of time. I tend to not want to mess too much with offset and things like that. I'm not willing to risk snagging my fenders. That being said, the cheapest and quickest method is the standard aftermarket "chromies" that run about $45-55 each. They are acceptable....though I hate chrome....and are basically 356 replica wheels. They come in 5.5" with a nearly stock offset. I run 205/60-15's and its a major handling upgrade.

There is another wheel...made in England that looks superb. You c an see them on a lot of the type 4 cars in Wallys photo series of cars from the last big meet up a few months ago. Great wheel. Someone posted for me somehwere about a year ago who made them.
There is always the Porsche 2.0 wheel which fits nicely...and the riviera...both by Eagle....bith bolt up. The riviera looks good overall ...but I hate the center section. Ray

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:17 am

You can get the 4 bolt 5.5" stock stock-style painted steel wheels new now- most likely they are Beetle offset, but so aren't those chrome ones also? I believe the wheels Ray was talking about are the Mag Industries wheels with the trapezoidal holes and blacked out dish. Very cool wheels. Somebody mentioned there were some in the pull-a-part nearby recently, but they were already gone when I got there...With junkyard stuff, you'll just have to take what you can get- old "potato" mags or something probably. I suppose for the ultimate upgraded OEM style would be the 5.5" Porsche 914 steel hubcap wheels with the correct higher offset. Then, there are the 4 bolt 5.5" steel wheels (rarer than the 4.5" version) with the radiating 4 spokes the center. I think these came in several offsets, but anyway, I have seen these on the samba from time to time. I've seen various 4 bolt 914 wheels like Revolutions, Panasports, ATS classics, etc... come up on ebay- those should work also. They make reproduction Porsche "gas burners" in 4 bolt now, as well as BRMs. Then you've got your normal 8 spoke EMPI style as well as the ubiquitous Rivieras, among several others.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:02 am

Oh...forgot about the "mooneyes"...BRM's. Really great looking wheel in five bolt...but a little odd in the maltese cross style 4 bolt. Ray

http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1306

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:30 am

Oh yeah, I forgot about Sprint Stars in several widths/offsets, Porsche 914 stock wheels such Pedrinins and such, the aftermarket wheels I believe are called the Dan Gurney's as well as ones like the Western Turbines, among others! I think that covers most of the common ones. In my opinion the best looking era-correct ones would be the MAG Industries and the ATS Classics. To me, though, I like something more along the lines that Wally and a few others have- bigger modern Porsche wheels fitting more in the "German/Euro Look" category.