Sportline Alloy Wheels

[Danish_David_T5]

I’m now looking for another set of wheels. 18”x8J. Can anyone give me a fool proof way to identify wheels that will fit my T5.1 with the bigger brake calipers. Is it enough to look for the suitable load rating and an offset of ET50? Or is there still a chance there will be a clash with the calipers?

 

[Danish_David_T5]

I’m now looking for another set of wheels. 18”x8J. Can anyone give me a fool proof way to identify wheels that will fit my T5.1 with the bigger brake calipers. Is it enough to look for the suitable load rating and an offset of ET50? Or is there still a chance there will be a clash with the calipers?

That’s without needing spacers or needing longer bolts.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

What I’ve learned so far. Wheels need to be load rated for axle weight = Easy. PCD 120 x 5 =600 Easy. ET or offset is not a complete indicator of fit. Some wheel spokes are more “dished” than others, meaning even wheels with the same offset may not clear your brake calipers. So, I suspect that the only way to be certain is to fit the rim and tyre to see what happens which could prove expensive if wrong. Alternative is to determine if people with EXACTLY the same van have fitted EXACTLY the same wheels. I want some gloss black 10 or 12 spoke 18”x8J alloys to fit my 2015 T5.1 2000cc bi turbo diesel with the larger calipers. So, if anyone can give me some good suggestion please fire away.suggestion

 

[B J G]

Haven't read all of the thread replies but the early design of Sportline wheels were for the smaller disc front brakes and not for the bigger discs.

I liked the early design wheel but as they were unsuitable for a 204 with the bigger discs I didn't purchase for that reason some 7 years ago. Using spacers wasn't an option that I deemed useable.

They became virtually unsellable for that reason.

 

[FairyCakes230]

What I’ve learned so far. Wheels need to be load rated for axle weight = Easy. PCD 120 x 5 =600 Easy. ET or offset is not a complete indicator of fit. Some wheel spokes are more “dished” than others, meaning even wheels with the same offset may not clear your brake calipers. So, I suspect that the only way to be certain is to fit the rim and tyre to see what happens which could prove expensive if wrong. Alternative is to determine if people with EXACTLY the same van have fitted EXACTLY the same wheels. I want some gloss black 10 or 12 spoke 18”x8J alloys to fit my 2015 T5.1 2000cc bi turbo diesel with the larger calipers. So, if anyone can give me some good suggestion please fire away.suggestion

Did you get an answer mate? I’m currently going round in circles, annoyed that OEM rims are so expensive or that there are absolutely no pictures of the VW accessories ones even CGI’d on a cartoon California. I’ve learned a lot about wheels this week, and until your post I’d pretty much settled on getting something from SuperMetal or Sparco the same size as the plate on the door says, so an 8Jx18 or 7Jx17. Now not so sure, but I really want to make it look more cool! Hope you found something that worked for you

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Did you get an answer mate? I’m currently going round in circles, annoyed that OEM rims are so expensive or that there are absolutely no pictures of the VW accessories ones even CGI’d on a cartoon California. I’ve learned a lot about wheels this week, and until your post I’d pretty much settled on getting something from SuperMetal or Sparco the same size as the plate on the door says, so an 8Jx18 or 7Jx17. Now not so sure, but I really want to make it look more cool! Hope you found something that worked for you

I returned the Sportline wheels via eBay and am back with standard 17”. My conclusion was that just looking at the wheel size is not enough. Even if you check the ET or offset it doesn’t guarantee a fit. The outward/inward dish of the spokes also matters. You also need to consider whether you can use your standard wheel studs or if you need longer ones, you could need spacers to make certain wheels fit. I dont like spacers unless they are load tested. So, I concluded that the only real way to know if wheels fit is to put one on the van to check. Or, ask someone who has the identical wheels and van and confirm they work. It was that much hassle that in the end I decided to just stick with the 17” originals.

 

[FairyCakes230]

I returned the Sportline wheels via eBay and am back with standard 17”. My conclusion was that just looking at the wheel size is not enough. Even if you check the ET or offset it doesn’t guarantee a fit. The outward/inward dish of the spokes also matters. You also need to consider whether you can use your standard wheel studs or if you need longer ones, you could need spacers to make certain wheels fit. I dont like spacers unless they are load tested. So, I concluded that the only real way to know if wheels fit is to put one on the van to check. Or, ask someone who has the identical wheels and van and confirm they work. It was that much hassle that in the end I decided to just stick with the 17” originals.

Yeah i don’t want to go anywhere near spacers or anything that’s not just wheel and tyre. Maybe I need to save 1500-200 quid on a vanity project.

 

[TripleBee]

Did you get an answer mate? I’m currently going round in circles, annoyed that OEM rims are so expensive or that there are absolutely no pictures of the VW accessories ones even CGI’d on a cartoon California. I’ve learned a lot about wheels this week, and until your post I’d pretty much settled on getting something from SuperMetal or Sparco the same size as the plate on the door says, so an 8Jx18 or 7Jx17. Now not so sure, but I really want to make it look more cool! Hope you found something that worked for you

Yes, OEM are expensive, but the quality is far better over any other non OEM.
The only thing that is rubbish, even on OEM, are the laser cut ones. They have the clear coat finish, and the smallest damage results in very ugly blistering.
OEM rims can suffer a lot of abuse before they will damage beyond use. Non OEM rims will break a lot easier, or become unround.
I bought my Colmars on eBay. 4 for the price of 1 new. They only had some minor scratches that polished right off.

 

[FairyCakes230]

Yes, OEM are expensive, but the quality is far better over any other non OEM.
The only thing that is rubbish, even on OEM, are the laser cut ones. They have the clear coat finish, and the smallest damage results in very ugly blistering.
OEM rims can suffer a lot of abuse before they will damage beyond use. Non OEM rims will break a lot easier, or become unround.
I bought my Colmars on eBay. 4 for the price of 1 new. They only had some minor scratches that polished right off.

That’s awesome. If I could get my hands on Springfields or Tolucas that weren’t a million pounds I’d be on them. Like rocking horse poop though. I’ve had two specialists advise only going for OEM, and I had sworn to myself I’d resist the beautiful aftermarket ones, but the black OEM ones will look a bit too ninja on my Starlight Blue van I think, and the alternative is the diamond ones which like you say perish so fast. Had a set on my previous Caravelle and they needed refurbished by the dealer twice in a year. I’ll keep looking, thanks for putting my feet back on the ground!

 

[B J G]

Yes, OEM are expensive, but the quality is far better over any other non OEM.
The only thing that is rubbish, even on OEM, are the laser cut ones. They have the clear coat finish, and the smallest damage results in very ugly blistering.
OEM rims can suffer a lot of abuse before they will damage beyond use. Non OEM rims will break a lot easier, or become unround.
I bought my Colmars on eBay. 4 for the price of 1 new. They only had some minor scratches that polished right off.

Borbet supply wheels to many manufacturers and do aftermarket wheels that can be to a higher spec than the OEM ones.

eg
ones I purchased with higher load rating than VW OEM ones (at pre Brexit price about £400 less)
1320kgs load rated and winter spec paint.

17" Borbet CH Mistral Anthracite Glossy Alloy Wheels

Shop for Borbet Alloys and Wheels - Buy Borbet Alloys from Wheel Base the UK's leading Alloy Wheels website. Our Borbet Wheels

www.wheelbasealloys.com

 

[pjm-84]

OZ Rally Raids for me.....

 

[TripleBee]

Borbet supply wheels to many manufacturers and do aftermarket wheels that can be to a higher spec than the OEM ones.

eg
ones I purchased with higher load rating than VW OEM ones (at pre Brexit price about £400 less)
1320kgs load rated and winter spec paint.

17" Borbet CH Mistral Anthracite Glossy Alloy Wheels

Shop for Borbet Alloys and Wheels - Buy Borbet Alloys from Wheel Base the UK's leading Alloy Wheels website. Our Borbet Wheels

www.wheelbasealloys.com

I am not discussing all aftermarket wheels.
But I have seen enough non OEM rims that got oval shaped, or just split.
Some aftermarket rims will be good, but certainly not all.
If you find a decent non OEM rim, just go for what you like most.
I am not judging anyone.