Fitting 15X7 or 15X7.5's on '84 Rabbit GTi

882 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by RandyWalters, Dec 3, 2001

84GTiRookie

Discussion Starter · Dec 1, 2001

Just bought an 84GTi in stock condition. Put Koni adjustables and H&R sport springs on last weekend.
Now want to put 15X7 Panasport FS wheels - or -
15X7.5 BBS RX wheels.
I currently have stock 14X6 GTi Snowflake's. What is their offset?
What offset should I get on the prospective new wheels?
Can I fit 215/50/15's on the 15X7.5's without clearance problems on the car?
I have seen many people w/ 205/50/15's and 15X7's and assume that the Panasports would work... but what offset?
Thanks in advance.

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A1Rocco

· #2 · Dec 1, 2001

Re: Fitting 15X7 or 15X7.5's on '84 Rabbit GTi (84GTiRookie)

I believe the snowflakes are 45mm offset. I have 35mm offset 16x 7.5" with 205/40-16's on my 81 Scirocco and they touch the rear springs. You will need atleast that for the 205's. I would definitely recommend against the 215's as they will be way too tall, in fact the 205's are too tall as well. But you sound like you are more concerned about asthetics then performance so buyer beware. My 2 cents.

James.

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84GTiRookie

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Fitting 15X7 or 15X7.5's on '84 Rabbit GTi (Josh[deady]Able) & A1Rocco

A1Rocco - You said you have a clearance problem with the rear springs... Would you recommend 30 mm offset for your set-up? Have you added spacers to that effect?
I agree with your advice on the 15" wheels... and have begun to lean towards the 16" with lower profile (205/45/16) for better performance... but I have always struggled with accepting the look of the large wheel/ low profile (all wheel/ no rubber look). I think I am kind of old school that way, but would be foolish not to go with the 16"
The scirocco.org tires site is great!!!... I've been doing all that stuff on paper the old fashioned way... Thanks!!!

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blackflygti

· #4 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Fitting 15X7 or 15X7.5's on '84 Rabbit GTi (84GTiRookie)

quote:[HR][/HR]I currently have stock 14X6 GTi Snowflake's. What is their offset?[HR][/HR]

The stock snowflakes offset is ET38. For a 15x7 wheel i'd go with ET30-ET35 assuming you run a 195/50-15.

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RandyWalters

· #5 · Dec 3, 2001

Re: Fitting 15X7 or 15X7.5's on '84 Rabbit GTi (84GTiRookie)

quote:[HR][/HR]Just bought an 84GTi in stock condition. Put Koni adjustables and H&R sport springs on last weekend.
Now want to put 15X7 Panasport FS wheels - or - 15X7.5 BBS RX wheels.
I currently have stock 14X6 GTi Snowflake's. What is their offset?
What offset should I get on the prospective new wheels?
Can I fit 215/50/15's on the 15X7.5's without clearance problems on the car?
I have seen many people w/ 205/50/15's and 15X7's and assume that the Panasports would work... but what offset?
[HR][/HR]

The 14x6 Snowflakes are 38mm offset, not 45mm. 14x6 MkIII wheels do have a 45mm offset, but the MkII and MkI
cars have different suspension geometry and all the various 14x6 VW alloys have 38mm offset. Aftermarket 14x6 wheels
for the MkI/MkII cars have 33mm offset (i have 14x6 Panasports, Revolutions, MSW, and Ronal V2 and all of em are ET33).
A 15x7 would work fine as long as the offset is in the 24mm-27mm range. I have a set of 15x7 ET27 Kosei K1 Racing wheels
for my BMW that also fit my 85 GTi perfectly. They have just over 5" of actual backspace and come close to the struts, but
they do clear. There's a red/orange Scirocco that comes out to the So Calif autocrosses who's running these wheels with
205/50-15 tires so i know they'll fit a MkII (any 14" or 15" wheel that fits a MkI will also fit a MkII).
You might want to call Panasport in Torrance, Calif directly and talk to them about their MkII fitment.

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