1.8t Beetles and Wheel Dillemma [2]

["Osman Parvez" <oparvez1@nycap.rr.com>]

Okay, I threw in the first part of the subject heading to get some
attention.. but I will drop some info at the end of this message (cruel
ain't I?). Read on through my misery. 

Now to my wheel problem. I took the suspect cracked wheel to work with me
today and much to my chagrin (and Graydon's insight) the wheel is shot. I
showed it to a few of the MT's in the shop, and essentially it is a BAD
IDEA to try to repair this wheel myself. Leaving it alone is also
dangerous, even if it does hold air. So, I spent the rest of the day (in my
free time) calling around trying to find anybody with 45mm offset wheels
that will work on an Audi 200q. 

HA!!! That's all I got to say about anybody having aftermarket 45mm ofset
wheels in stock. Compmotive (like Jeff Goggin's 200) will build em for me,
as will Fiske. Of course Fiske' only builds modular wheels. Just in case
you are wondering, the Fiske's run about $3000/set.  Momo Arrows (like
Igor's got) run a 38mm offset and I know they will work since he uses them.

Am I wrong in thinking that a 35mm offset will rub (even on a 15" wheel)?
If not, then I can get some fantastic deals through the Tire Rack right now
(being a dealer and all). And then, what the heck... I'll move up to 16's
right?

I know that i've seen bits and pieces of info on this exact problem in the
past. However, I was unable to locate anything in the archives. Can
somebody who knows what they are talking about please help me out. I'm
going bright and early to the body shop to see what it'll cost me to roll
the fenders on the rear. Anybody know how much I've got to roll on the
rear? Anyone BTDT running 35mm offset wheels on their car, either in +1 or
+2 sizing, on a 89 200q?? 

If it's gonna be more of a pain then it's worth, I'm gonna go the easy way
out and get a set of speedline's 
THE CORE of this problem now is that I don't want to waste an opportunity
to upgrade my car. Once I purchase these wheels I seriously doubt that I
will ever be replacing these wheels again (barring accidents, etc).  I'm
hoping to make a decision by wednesday night on this.


MANY MANY thanks to the people who have responded thus far. I truly
appreciate the offers and advice. I will get back to you all shortly.
Consider this a group thanks at the moment. 

Finally: The beetle 1.8t. YES.. the plans according to the VW regional
representative is to place the 1.8q in the beetle. I heard rumors of this
during Beetle product training. However, coming from the BIG GUY in the NE
(as far as dealer reps go)... this is a strong statement. Expect to see
1.8t beetle's running around fairly shortly... it could be this fall, it
could be next spring. 

My understanding is that will put the motor sideways in to fit. SO.. much
more engineering to get Quattro in there. Perhaps a viscous coupling? I
dunno about the Q part of the equation, BUT I can't wait to see 1.8
beetles. 

I personally hope they call it the Super Beetle again.. 


P.S. the guys in the shop DO know what they are talking about, the trouble
is that (1) we don't sell aftermarket and (2) none of 'em are running
+sizes on their type 44's. FYI, the service writer's 87 5000tq broke 305K
the other day. Still running strong. 


Osman Parvez
Albany, NY
89 200q, TAP Chip, 171K
92 Miata, auto, 6K, For Sale