Date:         Wed, 23 Sep 1998 17:47:27 -0700
Reply-To:     David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Which 15" steel wheels will fit a Vanagon?
Comments: To: Westys4evr@AOL.COM, vanagon@vanagon.com
In-Reply-To:  <4481c187.36086047@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I think everyone on the list will shoot you down for using Audi 15" wheels,
but I know three people who use 215/70R15s on their syncros using 15x6"
Audi wheels.  Yes the offset puts the  wheel about 1cm closer to the
inside, but they have never found any problems with this.  The 215mm wide
tires will also assist you if you are concerned about the offset.

It is interesting to note that the factory 16x5.5" wheels (designed for
205R16) on my Syncro are 34mm when the 14x5.5" wheels (designed for 185R14)
are are 30mm.  The fatter 215mm or 255mm tires that will fit will push
rubber out past the point of the OEM tires.

Just a note though... for winter you want narrow tires so the 14s might be
better for that...

FYI I picked up a set of 5 15" Audi wheels (for my Quattro) for $100
Canadian so I don't know how that compares to tire rack.

At 22:43 9/22/98 EDT, you wrote:
>Winter will be along soon,and I'd like to outfit the Syncro this time with a
>full set of tall Bridgestone Blizzaks,to get me through the really deep
stuff.
>With the current 14" wheels,I believe the tallest tire is a 215/70,but there
>are a few more choices when you go to 15s. My salesman @ Tire Rack says both
>Audi Turbo wheels and several Mercedes wheels have the same bolt-circle,but
>wasn't sure which wheel had the offset closest to what will work.He does have
>new steel wheels to fit the Audi 5000 TQ and 200 TQ,but not the Mercedes.
>Anyone know,or have experience with this? I really don't want to spend the
>extra $$ on 15" alloys just yet,especially for the type of winter use they'll
>be sure to get. TIA !
>Karl
>
>

-- David Marshall  Quesnel BC Canada  mailto:david@volkswagen.org --
--       73 Audi 100LS, 78 1.8L VW Rabbit, 80 2.0L VW Caddy       --
-- 87 Audi 5KQ, 85 1.8L VW Cabrio, 88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab   --
--         Volkswagen Homepage http://www.volkswagen.org          --