What Alloys?

[agent s]

Hi Guys

I want to (finally ) get a set of alloys for my FTO. Saw discussions go on before in the forums & they look scary - ie. "I got a set on 17"x7 220 483284057&%£$^&$^&". Don't get it! Here's wot I know:

17" is the diameter that I want. I know that I've to get 5 stud. The rest is a bit of a mystery. The tyres are calculated on a height to width ratio aren't they? And don't you have to get them to fit the roundy bit that they sit onto?!

Sorry I sound like such a dweeb; but I'm ashamed to say that, minus a man, I'm a bit lost on the alloy front!

Help! Want to get the alloys on for the August meet if possible so that I'm not turning up in scratched hub caps (complete with cable ties!!!!!!)

[agent s]

Um... it's a GR. Does that make a difference too?

[kevinod]

Hi Guys

I want to (finally ) get a set of alloys for my FTO. Saw discussions go on before in the forums & they look scary - ie. "I got a set on 17"x7 220 483284057&%£$^&$^&". Don't get it! Here's wot I know:

17" is the diameter that I want. I know that I've to get 5 stud. The rest is a bit of a mystery. The tyres are calculated on a height to width ratio aren't they? And don't you have to get them to fit the roundy bit that they sit onto?!

Sorry I sound like such a dweeb; but I'm ashamed to say that, minus a man, I'm a bit lost on the alloy front!

Help! Want to get the alloys on for the August meet if possible so that I'm not turning up in scratched hub caps (complete with cable ties!!!!!!)

Right, you need a set with a PCD of 114.3, 5 stud of course, centre bore something like 67.1, and an offset of somewhere around 35-40.

PCD is the spacing of the holes the bolts go through, if its different then of course the bolts just won't fit through all the holes.

Centre bore I'm a little hazy about myself to be honest... a quick google search should sort it out I guess.

Offset then is how far in or out your wheels are when they're on the car. The higher the number the further IN the wheels are (you'd expect it to be the other way). This is important, as too far in and you'll have rubbing against the wheel arches, too far out and it'll look like a dune buggy and handle like cr@p!

The tyre numbers are handy enough, you have 3 figures,. e.g.
205/55/17
- 1st number is the width of the tyre, in mm, the bit with the thread on it
- 2nd number is the height of the side wall, where it has the make of tyre etc etc on it
- 3rd number is the radius of the wheel. If you have 17" rims, your tyres will have 17 as the last number, 16" rims, it'll be 16, etc.

Hope that makes things a bit clearer?

Kev.

[kevinod]

Um... it's a GR. Does that make a difference too?

Shouldn't make any difference, hubs are the same on all FTOs.

[Myfeckin FTO]

Agent S - As per Kev above - if I was looking for alloys I would be armed with the following info-

PCD (pitch circle diameter) - 114.3 x 5
Centre bore - 67.1
Ideally a 17inch wheel and may I suggest a 215/45 tyre
As Kev says offset between 35-40 for the above suggested wheel - my offset is 35 and looks well as it brings the wheel out that bit futher - the standard rims sit inside the arches a bit too far.

[AL]

yes id agree with all the info the lads have given,

ive actually gone for 42 offset wheels , therefore wheels are slightly in, to counteract this ive used 5mm shims, in theory this gives them a fitment offset of 37. this does not affect handling at all, but i personally would not go any further.

[agent s]

Thanks! That's great! Yet again, you boyz have not failed me!

Will go armed with all this information! Are second-hand alloys ok, or to be avoided?

[kevinod]

Thanks! That's great! Yet again, you boyz have not failed me!

Will go armed with all this information! Are second-hand alloys ok, or to be avoided?

In my limited experience, I would say they're like cars. Looked after well and cared for they're fine, but if not they can be dogs, could be buckled, chipped, etc etc. Always take a really good look at used alloys before you buy them, and try one on if at all possible. (try it on the car that is )

[Myfeckin FTO]

.. Are second-hand alloys ok, or to be avoided?

You won't find it easy to get a set of second hand alloys in the required sizes - and most people you phone that are selling their alloys have no idea of fitment. I think we had a thread before on other cars with the same fitment as the FTO and it was a pretty obscure list such as the Ford Probe/MR2 (though I'd say it has a different centre bore) etc

[CJ]

The FTOOC have put a good guide together on wheel tech considerations, check it out here: http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=30190

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

The FTOOC have put a good guide together on wheel tech considerations, check it out here: http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=30190

CJ

Wow - Excellent guide - shows wheel width versus offset as well.