Re: 1.8t Beetles and Wheel Dillemma [2]

[Steve Manning <stephenm@ix.netcom.com>]

Osman - I'm running A8 wheels on my '90 200tqw (16x7, 37mm offset), with
205/55-16 tires.  *Very* slight radiusing of the rear fenders (did it
myself) was required to prevent rubbing (although others have run the same
combo w/o any rubbing).

Hope this is a useful data point for your wheel search...........SLM

Steve Manning:  stephenm@ix.netcom.com
...Physical home: Metro D.C. area, USA
.....Virtual home:  http://www.stationwagon.com

At 09:42 PM 6/15/98 -0700, you wrote:
>
>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 
>
>
>