Hey all,

I'm just wondering really quickly, what is the offset of a stock rim for a 4x130 brake setup? How far back do they sit in the fender on both the front and the rear?

The only reason I ask this is when going low, super low, and with a couple of ideas up my sleeve, I may need to go with a lower offset (meaning the rim itself actually pokes out of the fender if, of course, the desired spacers are used)...

However, then the issue of camber is needed to be addressed and what the maximum width of the wheel itself can be under the rear fenders. I'm tossing up between something like 16x6's at the front and 16x10's at the rear, and with the right offset on the wheel, the right camber and the right lows, they will simply tuck into the fenders without rubbing.

So, in essence, I need to know the following.
1. Offset of stock wheels?
2. How far inside the fender do the stock wheels sit?
3. What is the maximum size rim to be used within the rear on an IRS bug?

Cheers!

PS. I do know wheel spacers are illegal in all states of Australia, I am hoping to get the desired look without spacers.

If you're not too sure why I'm asking, I have kinda got addicted to the look on some dumped watercooled volksies and am after the look on Zelda.

I have never seen a Type 1 with that sort of wheel setup, but check out the link here.

Just food for thought.

Lbug Steelies are et41

Don't wanna seem like I'm pissing on your parade too much but bare in mind that in the US if it's got an engine and wheels and moves it's all perfectly legal.

But in Aus however, just ask all the wanna be VIP look guys on boostcruising how much their cars are cop bait with stretched tyres or what their ride quality is like.

You can get that look without being too silly it just takes careful tyre and rim choice and the right ride height.

I know what you mean Joel, it seems the cops here enjoy picking on anything that looks decent, especially when a P plater is driving...
I don't want to be too silly, just want the look, badly.

I knew you'd be the one that knew though.
What do you reckon for the offset that I should be looking at?
Basically, the rim itself will be outside of the fender, and the stretched tire will sit inside the fender, with the aid of camber.
I've been looking at stuff like et25 and what not.

I'll probably be getting the rims custom made (therefore not having to change my brake pattern).

You may still be limited trying to find 130 mm pcd wheels.

Not a problem, I'll most likely be getting the wheels custom made by a very, reputable company.

Obviously she won't be running them all the time and they'd only be show wheels, so I'd like to still be able to run stock wheels, therefore keeping the 130mm pcd is a must.

But thanks for the information Cam!

You're never gonna get 10" wide rims under stock rear guards, 8" is the max.

You would have to play around with a calculator but about et30-et35 would be what you're shooting for.

and if you're going 16x6 in the front with some narrow coil overs about et35 but again alot of variables - brake setup, ride height, tyre size etc etc.

8" is definitely a go then. If that is definitely the max, then that'll be what I'll fit under.
I'd love to be able to see some photos of some et30's and et35's and the difference between the two on a bug...

Brakes will continue to be the same, maybe just getting a disc conversion for the rear and that'll be it.
Once the wheels are on, then will come the ride height, just need to get the wheels on first. So working out the offset is key for that and getting the narrow coil overs...

Any recommendations for adjustable coil overs for the front?

i'm 17x7 with ET36 and 205/45 on front just clear the guards (1974 L bug)
back has a little more room with 205/50 , could have gone 215/45 and prob. just fit.
v-force struts on front

Got any close up photos of the wheel clearance and so forth?
Would love to see the largest rim size as possible and see if it is possinle to still get the sort of look I am looking for...

Otherwise, 16's will probably be the size I go for, just means Zelda can sit a little lower and have a little more camber on the rear.

If your looking to run stretched tyres on a larger rim will crazy camber you are gonna end up getting pulled over by the 'PO 'PO..and off to regency especially with P plates.

Tyres also are recommended to be fitted to a certain width wheel depending on their size too this is usually to do with the proper seating of the tyres on the rim bead.
Simmons wheels and the like can manufacture wheels to be in track too. There a minimal amount you can play with track (refer to vehicle standards documents issued by the Department of Infrastructure)..Traffic cops know how to measure track and can contact inspectors on the road to get the measurements for your cars track too..they arent silly.Not trying to deter you from going the german look but modify with care..

Oh and in terms of rim size 16" is the most expensive for tyres as its an "oodball" size these days.17 inch tyres are cheaper and you will have no problems with the load ratings of tyres or rims because beetles weigh stuff all.The rule for Plus 2 inch fitment in SA is not around anymore..as long as the rims and tyres meet the load rating for the vehicle and the rolling diameter is within a certain percentage you can run 18s if you want..

If you want a copy of Vehicle Standards i can email it to you

Simmons wheels have just opened up again, but you better have plenty of cash if you want to run them. Also they only have 1 style at the moment. See http://www.tempetyres.com.au/pages.asp?ID=Simmons+Wheels 

And they don't make 16's. The smallest is a 17x6 for $770 per wheel. Add threes, nuts, fitting and balancing and you'll prob get to almost $1000 per corner.

Too rich for my blood.

Wheels and tyres selection is the biggest headache because a lot of things to consider and a lot of different variables like Joel Said. And to get the perfect look and not rubbing or scrubbing or bottoming out takes a lot of calculating and trial and error. I'm still not totally sure what I'm doing yet for size of my wheels and tyres.

From Dylan

I run porsche boxter wheels, on the front it has 16" x 6". et 55, on the rear 7" x 16" with a et of 40, 195/50/16 front and 225/55/16 rear, does not rub and has close to the factory track and geometry.

Alrighty, just a quick few photos, need to make sure I get this right for Richard.

This is currently the clearance between the current front strut and the drivers side front wheel.


Now, just need someone to confirm that these are three bolt struts?

three bolt

Give you a heads up..dont go to Wheel Works I have a mate who owns a tyre franchise and has seen the crap thats come out of there and repaired/replaced work from them.
Its a big shop front with a great showroom but the thats all it is, Their expertise is seriously lacking. Retro wheels still make Simmons too in 15inch..they were the original approved repairer of simmons and bought the moulds for 14 and 15' rims and they are exactly the same as OEM Simmons.
Tempe make Simmons in 17" but they are designed slightly different with the rims centre slightly different and a different rolled outer lip.I have brand new original FR17s on my mazda and wouldn't buy the tempe copies personally.

Cheers cesiumfrog, have emailed Richard about the struts and hopefully he'll get back to me soon!

Snitz,
Won't be by anyone in Adelaide, I took a look at some of the wheel makers here and they really aren't that good at all.
Will be done by someone in the states, that are known for a very, very nice Audi S5 that are running some very nice red wheels.
Trust me, once I've paid the thousands of dollars for these rims, Zelda will definitely stand out from the crowd at meets and so forth.
They'll just be dress wheels, most of the time I'll be running steelies.

Will keep everyone posted, seems wheels are a big topic when it comes to setups and so forth. Maybe we should start a wheel sticky or something where everyone can post there set ups and learn from each other?

Hi
I got my steelies welded to a 15 x 6 at wheelworx
(I cut out the std vw centre and put on to camry shell, n
my mate's old mad old man know the guy there and they got me a discount,
the weld isn't the best and it looks like they tried to grind off the imperfection)
I have otherwise std front suspension
from memory
front is 15 x 6 ET 13 195 50 tyre stick out a bit about 10mm with about 15mm tyre to strut clearence.
the rim is flushed with the guard only stick out because of the side wall
but it should be fine with the flat side wall as opposed to balloon one i have
rear is 15 x 6 ET 3 195 50 fit nicely under rear guard
these are figure of what std suspension can fit wheels and offset
hope it helps
also hope to see your car on the vwcsa display in march

Zelda will definitely be at the show.

Thanks for all the information, really appreciate it!
Got a lot of stuff in store for Zelda, just have to figure out when I'm going to have the time to do it.