Going from OEM alloy to different ET/offset

[DiMenToR]

Hey! Considering changing my alloys from the OEM 18" to the exact same size 18" 5x112 8' only different ET/offset. The alloy I want is the new RS7 alloy and it's only made with ET/offset 35.
That is quite a difference considered the OEM ones are 51/50.
I'm worried the wheels will stick out too much and may touch the arches/car body.

Has anyone fitted alloys with that offset? Mine is an 1.4 SC FR if that matters.

 

[chrishale]

What width are the RS7 alloys? If they are the same as the OEM, you're still looking at 15mm difference. I tried some alloys with less of a difference than that and they rubbed.

I found: http://www.willtheyfit.com/ really useful for comparing different sizes.

 

[sixysix]

I think a max of ET42 with an 8 inch wheel has been fitted to a standard car without rubbing.
Think you would have problems with ET35 just bolting straight on.

 

[DiMenToR]

Well the alloy is exactly the same. Only different offset. I think my dad on his mk2 has ones with ET35 because the wheels do stick out quite a bit. No problems with touching anything because the mk2 really high(1.8 tsi standard) but worried about my mk3. Really wanted this alloys

But worried the offset will be an issue. Especially if later I'd want to add lowering springs of some sort.

So buttom line ET42 and above?

 

[sixysix]

The standard 18" wheels are 7.5 wide btw, not 8 so those wheels will be a bit wider to start before the offset change bringing them nearer to the arches.

Anything is possible with mods but for standard fit maybe try and see if the wheels come in a more suitable offset

Have a look around the forum until someone can confirm but I doubt ET35 will go straight on.
ET45 on an 18x8 will be fine and some have run ET42 on same size wheel.

You're ET35 wheel would bring the wheel 16mm closer to the arches, but you would have to factor in that the new wheel is half an inch wider than the original.
What did the tyre calculator say?

 

[DiMenToR]

Hey and thank you once again for your help.
My current wheel is this

If I'm not mistaken its an 8' wheel.

Also I found this:

http://www.alloywheels.com/Seat-Leon-Mk3-Alloy-Wheels

If all the sizes are the same and it is really an 8' width than the outcome will be 15mm outer wheel.

I need a verdict lol

 

[simonali]

Give it 5 mins and some China man will be flogging knock offs on eBay. Failing that, maybe enquire about getting them machined?

 

[Biker]

I am running 18x8 Audi alloys on mine with 235/40x18 winter tyres on. The offset is ET43 and they JUST clear the body work, in my opinion ET35 will hit the wheel arches.

 

[DiMenToR]

Give it 5 mins and some China man will be flogging knock offs on eBay. Failing that, maybe enquire about getting them machined?

Well, the original is 21" so it may be a knock off but they made all of them friggin' ET35 lol.

My alloy guy actually does some repairs and other work with the alloys.. But what does it mean "getting them machined"? What is actually the process?

 

[SRGTD]

I am running 18x8 Audi alloys on mine with 235/40x18 winter tyres on. The offset is ET43 and they JUST clear the body work, in my opinion ET35 will hit the wheel arches.

The 18" performance machined alloys that you've got that come as part of the titanium pack upgrade are 7.5" wide, so going from a 7.5" width wheel with ET51 to 8" wide and ET35 will mean the face of the wheel will stick out 22mm more, compared to the wheels you've got now.

If Biker's 8" wide alloys with ET43 offset only just clear the bodywork, an 8" wide wheel with an ET of 35 is likely to be too aggressive and cause rubbing.

 

[driver33]

Reducing the offset from ET51 to ET35 would upset the handling and wreck the wheel bearings.

 

[Ben.]

I've put mk5 R32 alloys on my car and they have an offset of about 35 and 8" wide. No rubbing issues so far although I've not had car fully loaded. They just sit inside the arches, once I get enough posts I'll upload the photos.