Date:         Sun, 13 Apr 2003 23:52:16 EDT
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 15" Wheel Question
Comments: To: bobe@WEBTIDE.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 4/13/03 7:04:02 PM Pacific Daylight Time, bobe@WEBTIDE.NET
writes:

<< 'd like to add a set of 5 BOLT 15 X 5 1/2 steel wheels to my '80 Westy
 Vanagon but I can't seem to find the style I'm looking for. I'm looking for
 the style of wheel that's on Porsche Speedsters and 356's. They have fewer
 and larger vent hole around the outer diameter.  I've found a 4 bolt
 pattern wheel in this style at California Imports

<http://store.cip1.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=cali&Categ

ory_Code=13-06>but
 I'd rather stay away from having to use adaptors. I also found this style
 at Mangels
 <http://store.ineedparts.com/store/comersus_viewitem.asp?idProduct=7585>
 but again it was a four bolt pattern. Anyone know where I can get this
 style of wheel?

 BTW My hesitation about using adaptors is whether or not they can take the
 weight of the a fully loaded Westy. >>

Bob,

The reason manufacturers to 5-lug is fir strength and not styling. So going
from your 5 X 112 mm to 4 X 130 mm (the wheels you are looking at) is not a
good idea. Locate some Mercedes alloys for the earlier W123 bodies for a 15"
wheel for your van. Unfortunately you will have to go with 6" width as that
is commonly what they came in. Those should be ET23.

You can also go with Audi or Passat steel rims which will require spacers
(not adapters) to correct from ET45.

The bad news is they all come with circular rather than oval holes around the
perimeter. They also come painted rather than chrome. You can get them
chromed if you so wish. But is it really economically practical?

BenT
 <A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/bentbtstr8/myhomepage/index.html">Vanagon
Cafe</A>