Date:         Fri, 11 May 2001 12:21:15 EDT
Reply-To:     EUROMOG@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Wessels <EUROMOG@aol.com>
Subject:      Re: Custom 15" wheels? Why not go to the Source?
Content-Type:  text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

FYI. In SA they make 15"X6" steel wheels for the Vanagons. They have an ET30.
A major importer of VW parts has had these wheels available. They only had 7
and I bought them all. I sold a set of 5 and have sold the other two for
someone's spares. They are black and look just like the 14" steel wheel
except they are an inch bigger in diameter. They are trying to get more of
these wheels but they are hard to get. These were new and I sold them for $50
each.

I have also bought a 15"x6.5" steel rim from the Tire Rack for a Mercedes
fitment. Cost was $43 each. It had an ET49. The wheel was also made in SA and
had the IDENTICAL center stamping as the 15" VW steel wheels. Same center
holes, same bolt pattern, same bolt hole size and seat. Same number of vent
holes for brake cooling. SAME THICKNESS OF STEEL. Same number and length of
welds mating the center to the rim section. The rim was 1/2" inch wider but
the SAME THICKNESS of steel. So from this I would say that it had an equal
weight rating. I have checked and it will cost $60 to have the welds machined
out and the centers welded back in for an ET35. This is the closest that can
be done and have something to weld to for this particular rim.

John Wessels
European Motorsport
Livermore, CA
http://www.euromog.com