chrishale

Active Member
May 31, 2010
84
1
Manchester, UK
When I went back to my parents over Christmas, I attempted to fit my shiny new winter wheels; a set of Dare DR-X2 Gunmetal with 225/35/19 winter tyres.

I found after mounting one wheel that it stuck out a bit more than the OEM wheel. I checked and according to the shop I'd bought them from, they are supposed to fit a mk3 Leon. I thought nothing of it and fitted the other three and took it for a spin.

When going over humps and bumps there was a bit of squeaking coming from the four corners which at first, I thought was just settling in or something. When I came to give two 'heavy set' family members a lift the next day I worked out it was actually catching on the arches somewhere.

The 19" alloys you get on the 280 are: 8x19 ET50 and the Dare alloys I tried to fit were: 8.5x19 ET42. According to http://www.willtheyfit.com/ this results in an inner rim which is 1.7mm further away from the suspension strut and an outer rim which pokes out 14.4mm more than before.

Quite a lot of alloy sites are claiming these fit a Leon mk3, so I'm wondering is it something to do with it being a Cupra?

Has anyone else fitted non stock alloys to there Cupra, winter or otherwise? Could you let me know what size they are and how well they fit?

Also, since returning to the stock alloys while I try and change the alloys for ones that fit - I've noticed the tyre pressure warning has been going off a lot! 4 times now, each time complaining about a different tyre. I only ever had it go off once before, but it was understandable (I had an entire wheel replaced because when I picked it up brand new there was a scuff on one and the dealer changed it for a new one). I keep resetting it, and it says "All 4 values have been stored" or something like that. Any body else had this problem?

Thanks, and sorry for the long post!
 
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I have a set of Audi alloys on my cupra, they are 8x18 and ET43 with 235/40x18 tyres fitted. The over all dimensions are exactly the same as yours apart from a 1mm difference in offset. I have had no issues with mine, they have been on the car over a month now and I have not had any rubbing.

If you have gone from ET50 to ET42 that should only move the wheel out by 8mm, not 14.4mm.
 
I have a set of Audi alloys on my cupra, they are 8x18 and ET43 with 235/40x18 tyres fitted. The over all dimensions are exactly the same as yours apart from a 1mm difference in offset. I have had no issues with mine, they have been on the car over a month now and I have not had any rubbing.

If you have gone from ET50 to ET42 that should only move the wheel out by 8mm, not 14.4mm.

Good to know thanks!

The new ones I tried to fit are a bit wider as well as the offset being different. No idea why they measure widths in inches and offset in mm, but it was going from 8" and 50mm to 8.5" and 42mm.

I've just ordered a set that are 8" wide with 48 offset. So, if yours fit fine with a 7mm difference in offset - 2mm difference should be fine (touch wood)!
 
Sorry mate, I misread your post. I didn't notice the 8.5 inch bit, so yes that would make quite a difference.

The new one's you have ordered should fit without any problems though.
 
As luck would have it, I got a flat this weekend. I've ordered a new tyre, but am currently running my cupra on a space saver :(

Because I need to use the motorway every day; I was thinking about getting a full size steel wheel and keeping it stored in the house. Using the space saver to get home, then swapping it over for the full size one until I can order a new Bridgestone.

Any idea what size I'd need in a steel rim to clear the Curpa's brakes? I guess I'd need some spacers as most are 6.5" or 7" wide.
 
Just FYI i fitted Momo Red Blade 7.5"x17 inch with 235/45/17 hankook winter ipike tires and they fit and even with 4 people on board do not rub. They just clear the brakes.

And they are more comfortable than the 19 inch originals!. Mind you also not so nice to look at ;)
 
Cool, thanks! I might be able to get away with a 17" steel wheel. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere, that you can go 1" smaller with a steel wheel anyway, because of how much thinner they are compared to alloys.