European/German Leon 1M alloys - anyone seen these before & thoughts please

[Leon2012]

Hi,

I am on the look out for some new alloys for my pre-facelift shape Mk1 (it's a TDI 110, MY2004)

There isn't much about at the moment on eBay UK, and I'd quite like something different (to the standard Starfishes, but OEM, original and 17" or less), so I've had a look on eBay.de and seen these European/German Leon 1M alloys - they are listed as "Original 17" Leon 1M alloys" - has anyone seen these before & what are your thoughts please?

I've never seen them before, and have searched German car sales databases for pics on the actual car, so I can get a better impression of how they'd look, but I can't find any pics anywhere??

Cheers

 

[Brettyboy]

I personally like the look of them & am a big fan of 5 spoke design

 

[Leon2012]

Hi and cheers Bret,

I just did some more searching via google.de and found a model of the Leon TDI 110 sold as "Magma", with these alloys on.

Same car and colour as ours Bret, so should give a good idea. I think they look good, obviously would be better with the car lowered a bit on coilies

The price is quite high so would put most people off, at £400 plus postage from Germany, but they look different to the Starfishes everyone's got or had in the past here in the UK.

In fact, other alloys on eBay.de like Starfishes are also expensive, at about £350-400 + postage!!

 

[blackturbo]

Pretty similar to the TSW Heat's on my Leon atm. I would imagine the TSWs are alot cheaper and easier to get hold of too.

 

[Leon2012]

Pretty similar to the TSW Heat's on my Leon atm. I would imagine the TSWs are alot cheaper and easier to get hold of too.

Thanks blackturbo, but aftermarket alloys like TSW are likely to be a lot heavier than these original OEMs, lower quality and more likely to fail, plus it's good that they are hard to get, as no-one else has got them

 

[blackturbo]

I'd disagree on them being heavier bud but each to their own Im going for LCR wheels soon anyways (once I can find the cash!!)

 

[Leon2012]

Hi blackturbo,

Every thread I've read about aftermarket and replica alloys says that they're heavier, unless they're specifically for drifting/racing.

I'd bet that the TSWs are easily heavier than these OEMs, which would slow down acceleration and add overall weight.

 

[blackturbo]

Replicas I would agree for sure

 

[Leon2012]

Ok I've done some more research and found that TSWs are not as heavy as reps, you're right, but I'd still bet they're heavier than these OEMs, and I personally wouldn't have TSW or other aftermarket wheels on my car - I much prefer OEM products in good condition.

Cheers anyway

 

[blackturbo]

I wasnt trying to convince you mate, just a simple observation that their pretty similar. As I said originally, each to their own, if everyone wanted the same thing then there would be no individuality left in the world.

 

[Brettyboy]

Mmm they do look good,i've been told on a previous thread that sump is lower on a tdi so can't go to low

 

[Leon2012]

Hi blackturbo,

Which TSW alloys are you referring to please? I've had a look on the TSW website, but maybe the ones you had are discontinued now? I'd like to see for comparison purposes, cheers.

I was thinking about getting some Starfishes, but there are hardly any on the 2nd hand market at the moment, at least anywhere near to me. One guy right down south and another in south Wales I've found, which is why I looked on eBay Germany, as had heard of some bargains being had there.

I'm also not convinced I want Starfishes, and know that other alloys were released in Europe that weren't here.

However, what I found on eBay.de was overpriced cars and alloys, although most of them do look in v.good condition.

I'm not going to pay £350-400 for Starfishes which everyone's got, or sold to get others, so that's why I was thinking if I was to spend that much, then I'd want something decent which was not like everyone else's.

However, before making a decision I'd like to compare them to the TSWs you're talking about.

Cheers

 

[Leon2012]

Mmm they do look good,i've been told on a previous thread that sump is lower on a tdi so can't go to low

Hi Bret,

Yes they do look alright don't they,

The sump is lower on the TDI, but you can lower it a bit on coilies without having problems with speed bumps, etc. - I mean lower it just enough to get rid of the 4x4 look, but keep the sump away from the road a bit.

If you wanted to lower further, you could get a shallow sump fitted, and for extra protection you can get "Panzer" plates, which are a strong metal undertray to protect the sump, instead of the crappy plastic one already fitted (which on mine is cracked and broken!).

 

[blackturbo]

Not a great picture but heres one for reference: http://www.kentcustoms.co.uk/acatalog/tswheat.jpg

I think Fox make some similar ones too, pretty sure my friend had them on his Ibiza

 

[Brettyboy]

Hi Bret,

Yes they do look alright don't they,

The sump is lower on the TDI, but you can lower it a bit on coilies without having problems with speed bumps, etc. - I mean lower it just enough to get rid of the 4x4 look, but keep the sump away from the road a bit.

If you wanted to lower further, you could get a shallow sump fitted, and for extra protection you can get "Panzer" plates, which are a strong metal undertray to protect the sump, instead of the crappy plastic one already fitted (which on mine is cracked and broken!).

I was thinking there are 20mm lowering springs,i reckon 20mm would be enough as i would like 18's,i am a real fan of the rs6's,nicked this pic

I reallly like this look

 

[Leon2012]

Hi blackturbo - thanks for the pic, I prefer the OEM SEAT alloys personally, and will look up the Fox ones you mentioned too.

Hi Bret, yes I also like the RS6 look, and that would be my 1st choice too, but they only make the original ones in 5x112 fitment to my knowledge, so you need adapters, and 18" is a bit too big for me. I did think about a 17" rep version with 5x100, but reps are heavy and usually low quality compared to OEMs.

I would not get lowering springs, as coilovers are the only way to go to do it properly. Springs would not provide the ride quality I'm looking for.

 

[Leon2012]

They are very similar infact to the Leon 1P 5-spoke alloys, moreso than the TSWs:

 

[Leon2012]

I also think the wheels pictured in the first post at the top are on low profile tyres, as well as the ones in the German Leon 110 pics, as I was looking at them and thinking there wasn't much tyre there, and I would like a bit more tyre there, lol

From a search I found that standard Leon 17" wheels are supposed to have 225/45/R17 tyres, whereas the ones pictured on German eBay for the wheels have 205/40/R17 (which would be more suitable for an Ibiza), and it looks like it on the car pics too.

 

[Brettyboy]

I also think the wheels pictured in the first post at the top are on low profile tyres, as well as the ones in the German Leon 110 pics, as I was looking at them and thinking there wasn't much tyre there, and I would like a bit more tyre there, lol

From a search I found that standard Leon 17" wheels are supposed to have 225/45/R17 tyres, whereas the ones pictured on German eBay for the wheels have 205/40/R17 (which would be more suitable for an Ibiza), and it looks like it on the car pics too.

I was thinking that,would look alot better with 45's

 

[Muttley]

This accessory list I found recently shows what look like the same wheels on page 5

SEAT Sport alloy wheels
7 x 17” (1M0071491).