When I worked in parts replacements were also silly prices, but it was possible to get the same wheels at a different price, memory of this is a little vague but I think there a part number in the parts catalogue atone price and another in accessories at another-cheaper-price, quite a bit cheaper. Might be worth finding a friendly helpful partsman* to have a bit of a search and see if VW are the same?
* Sorry, not VW, and I’m retired now.