Sportline Alloy Wheels

[Danish_David_T5]

Basically, these Sportline alloys are for the T5 not the T5.1 180 like yours due to bigger brakes. The T5.1 Sportline Alloy is different.

OK and understood thank you. Can you foresee any issue/problem/disadvantage in fitting the “T5 sportline alloys” to the T5.1 California using a spacer, other than insurance? …and do you have any idea of the smallest spacer size that will work re clearance. Thanks again for all the help and tips this far. If I had known how tricky this might be I’d have looked at my OEM 17” wheels and did “oh aren’t they gorgeous”.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

This rims are certainly not original, as you stated in your first post, mentioning they are genuine.
Secondly, original 18" rims have ET50.
And then concerning spacers. Something I personally would never do. Most will not have problems, but the wider the spacers, the more the bearings suffer. Just a few mm won't do much harm, but you can sometimes see spacers of a few cm.

And on a personal note, if I would be in the market of buying any vehicle, and I see non original rims and/or spacers, it would be a big no for me.

But, everyone can make out for themselves what they want to do with the vehicle.

Got it. Thanks. And I agree with you when searching for a camper. I would prob mothball the existing 17” alloys and switch them back at sale. Can you tell me how the blazes I can find VW 18” alloys that would have been original figment to these vans. There are 2 alloys listed on the VW website with 10 multiples in gloss and matt black but both are out of stock in the country and on an uncertain lead time. And do you by some incredible chance have any photos of what i should be looking for. I also agree with you with respect to spacer but unfortunately I’ve bought these wheels (having been told by the seller they would fit - eBay) and am now having to adapt. It may be the seller will take them back and I’ll have to start again, but that’s a separate issue. Thanks for the help again

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Ref Triple Bees comments above. Additional question - does anyone know what VW Original VW Fitment 18” alloys look like or their brand name or model number. Thanks

 

[TripleBee]

Ref Triple Bees comments above. Additional question - does anyone know what VW Original VW Fitment 18” alloys look like or their brand name or model number. Thanks

The T5 didn't have 18".
The T5.1 had the "Canberra".

https://www.aawheels.com//Files/8/121000/121683/ProductPhotos/620/2039837730.jpg

T6 had Toluca, Disc, Springfield.
The T6.1 had Springfield, Valdivia, Teresina.

Just type in google the name and 18" and you will find how they look.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

The T5 didn't have 18".
The T5.1 had the "Canberra".

https://www.aawheels.com//Files/8/121000/121683/ProductPhotos/620/2039837730.jpg

T6 had Toluca, Disc, Springfield.
The T6.1 had Springfield, Valdivia, Teresina.

Just type in google the name and 18" and you will find how they look.

Thank you.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Thank you very much indeed for all the help and ideas which has really helped my thinking today and aided a decision. I’m going to request a return and refund from the seller via eBay and see where we get to. I will now look for some VW 18” wheels that fit ! I just didn’t want to go down the spacer route really. Thanks again for the help.

 

[mattpartridge]

The T5 didn't have 18".
The T5.1 had the "Canberra".

https://www.aawheels.com//Files/8/121000/121683/ProductPhotos/620/2039837730.jpg

T6 had Toluca, Disc, Springfield.
The T6.1 had Springfield, Valdivia, Teresina.

Just type in google the name and 18" and you will find how they look.

T5 Cali did have the option of the original 18 inch Sportline rims as shown above, I had them on my 2006 T5 Cali, and now have the same rims on my 2014 T5.1 Cali

 

[andyinluton]

The T5 had exactly the sportline wheels that @Danish_David_T5 has as an Accessory.

Other genuine vw wheels available in 18" at the time included the Dakar either silver of bicolour as later fitted to the Berghaus T5.1

There was a new design ( in 3 or 4 finishes) of wheels also called sport line released for the T5.1

Then there are Canberra , Toluca, Springfield ( in silver or Black), Palmerstone

For the T6.1 from the accessories brochure there are 10 spoke & 5 spoke in a variety of Finishes

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Thank you very much indeed for all the help and ideas which has really helped my thinking today and aided a decision. I’m going to request a return and refund from the seller via eBay and see where we get to. I will now look for some VW 18” wheels that fit ! I just didn’t want to go down the spacer route really. Thanks again for the help

 

[Danish_David_T5]

will the 18” Toluca wheels referred to above fit my T5.1 or will these only fit the T6?

 

[andyinluton]

As far as I’m aware the only 18” that are not compatible with all californias are those original sportlines that you’ve got.
All the other types I mentioned in the earlier post will fit your van fine.

 

[pjm-84]

These are the Sportline wheels for the T5.1

 

[Danish_David_T5]

These are the Sportline wheels for the T5.1

View attachment 131115

 

[Danish_David_T5]

They look great, thanks.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

As far as I’m aware the only 18” that are not compatible with all californias are those original sportlines that you’ve got.
All the other types I mentioned in the earlier post will fit your van fine.

Thanks. Looks like I picked the wrong ones!

 

[CannellWalker]

We swapped to T5.1 Sportlines after about five years on the original 17” wheels. They swapped straight on with no clearance issues. The only problem now is finding replacement centre caps as they are like hens teeth!

 

[Danish_David_T5]

We swapped to T5.1 Sportlines after about five years on the original 17” wheels. They swapped straight on with no clearance issues. The only problem now is finding replacement centre caps as they are like hens teeth!

View attachment 131116

They look super

 

[Danish_David_T5]

they were a dealer fit option i believe - so no impact, and the supplying dealer did the 30mm drop as well (also an option at time of ordering new, but this was done soon after previous owner had the Cali from new)

Hi Colin, Do you by any chance have any photos of these wheels on your van.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Hi Colin, Do you by any chance have any photos of these wheels on your van.

 

[pjm-84]

They look super

Very hard to get hold of now. I have a genuine set, but there are many replicas on the market. Bought my set in 2019

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Very hard to get hold of now. I have a genuine set, but there are many replicas on the market. Bought my set in 2019

Look really smart. I love the California but am always slightly envious of the trendy looking transporter conversion i see. Might be an age thing! I thought I’d update the California with slightly bigger wheels and the look of the sportline on your van is what I’m looking for. Thank you for the photo.

 

[pjm-84]

I went to a VW show at Eskdale. Parked alongside conversions, my California looked a bit bland. So I went down the Sportline routes and VW lowering route (which was pants) ...... Sits on Koni Komfort coilover / 18in Sportlines and a geninue Sportline front valance.... but its still a California, just Sportlined.....hence the insurance wasn't too bothered

 

[Big Bloke]

I have the genuine black T5 Sportline wheels from the original post fitted on my T5.1 Beach, they’ve been on for over 5yrs now. I have no spacers and no problems with them, would that be because of the smaller brakes on a 140?
Mine are defiantly the genuine wheels……they are the best looking VW oem wheels in my opinion.

 

[andyinluton]

I have the genuine black T5 Sportline wheels from the original post fitted on my T5.1 Beach, they’ve been on for over 5yrs now. I have no spacers and no problems with them, would that be because of the smaller brakes on a 140?

Yes T5.1 UK Beach has small brakes.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Yes T5.1 UK Beach has small brakes.

Wheels do look good. Same as mine I think. I think the conclusion is that the California with the bigger engine received larger brakes from VW to cope with the increase in performance. It’s the width of the calipers rather than the height that causes the clash. I’m pretty sure it could be overcome by fitting spacers (say 10mm) and longer wheel studs, but I’m not sure that I want to go down that route. If I were to fit spacers then H&R look like the favourites to cope with the load of the California. Finding a set of studs and locking studs in a longer length also seems a bit tricky to source.