Basic Advice for a Novice - upgrade wheels

[TheEagle]

Hello. Complete Newbie here. I’ve had a T28 6.1 high line from new and it was converted at Xmas time. Only just getting used to using it.

I would like to replace the factory fitted wheels and tyres to give a better look - but don’t want to compromise much on comfort or change the default set up too much

I’ve tried to read multiple threads on wheels, offsets, springs etc but find it all too much info - for a beginner at least!

I think I might want 18” wheels to look better in the wheel arches. Although it’s mainly for aesthetics, I don’t want to lose comfort for traveling. I’m also personally not into the lowered look - but is that something I need to think about at all?

Any recommendations for a good balance of: better look, comfortable ride and minimal changes to suspension, coils or anything else?

And maybe an obvious question - where can I get the work done? A local specialist? At VW?

I’m based in Liverpool so any recommendations welcome

(Sorry if other threads answer these - couldn’t find what I need in plain English!)

Pic of existing:

 

[Drive Wayne]

Hello. Complete Newbie here. I’ve had a T28 6.1 high line from new and it was converted at Xmas time. Only just getting used to using it.

I would like to replace the factory fitted wheels and tyres to give a better look - but don’t want to compromise much on comfort or change the default set up too much

I’ve tried to read multiple threads on wheels, offsets, springs etc but find it all too much info - for a beginner at least!

I think I might want 18” wheels to look better in the wheel arches. Although it’s mainly for aesthetics, I don’t want to lose comfort for traveling. I’m also personally not into the lowered look - but is that something I need to think about at all?

Any recommendations for a good balance of: better look, comfortable ride and minimal changes to suspension, coils or anything else?

And maybe an obvious question - where can I get the work done? A local specialist? At VW?

I’m based in Liverpool so any recommendations welcome

(Sorry if other threads answer these - couldn’t find what I need in plain English!)

Pic of existing:

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A short hop down the M6 to see Steve @CRS Performance , he's good at advice and all things suspension!

 

[JOG]

A short hop down the M6 to see Steve @CRS Performance , he's good at advice and all things suspension!

^^wot ee said!

 

[Stay Frosty]

That's a lot of daylight!
New aftermarket suspension can reduce the gap and improve the handling massively but with wheel size to complete the look it can be a minefield as the wrong tyre on the right wheel can still spoil the experience.
Here's our camper on H&R coilovers from Steve @CRS Performance and 18" wheels...


I'd like 20" but realistically 35 profile tyres for my preferred look but then the ride could get "clattery" so that's how I've been for the last 6 yrs.

 

[RobertO2023]

As said above your best port of call is to speak / go and and see Steve at CRS. To say the least Wheels, Tyres and Suspension set up have quite a few variables. What suits one person may not suit another. I have a CRS set up with adjustable ride ht and adjustable dampers which took me a few weeks of adjustments to arrive at what I wanted - ride quality and handling are not as easy to achieve as people think. Good look.

 

[Lubrown]

One thing I’ve noticed when looking at wheels is the difference in weight per wheel (when you can find it listed).

Some aftermarket wheels are shockingly heavy, especially the load rated ones. Yet it’s possible to find stylish and cheap wheels with the correct rating and from decent manufacturers for less than a grand a set.

Wheel weight will have an impact on your suspension (whether stock or aftermarket) and how the van rides as it counts toward the unsprung mass.

I’m on OE springs and VWs OE Colmar alloys with commercial (c) rated tyres. Despite having Koni Special Active shocks fitted I think my wheel and tyre combo still let the ride quality down. I like the stock ride height so have been looking at wheels options, including weights, with a mind to upgrade when my current tyres need changing.

 

[RobertO2023]

Seriously I would not worry about unsprung weight on a commercial vehicle its hardly going make lot of difference to the handling. ( If you are building a lightweight performance vehicle then yes unsprung weight has to considered in the calculations)
The main consideration is using a wheel that conforms with the vehicle specifications in respect of load rating. I stick to TUV certified wheels which are approved by manufacturer’s

 

[GUMY]

Hello. Complete Newbie here. I’ve had a T28 6.1 high line from new and it was converted at Xmas time. Only just getting used to using it.

I would like to replace the factory fitted wheels and tyres to give a better look - but don’t want to compromise much on comfort or change the default set up too much

I’ve tried to read multiple threads on wheels, offsets, springs etc but find it all too much info - for a beginner at least!

I think I might want 18” wheels to look better in the wheel arches. Although it’s mainly for aesthetics, I don’t want to lose comfort for traveling. I’m also personally not into the lowered look - but is that something I need to think about at all?

Just up the road from you here in Southport, and been pondering the exact same issue since buying our van new just over a year ago. In fact, I thought for a moment I was reading a previous post of my own! (Even got the same wheels on a candy white!!)
Hopelessly undecided. I shall be watching your thread with interest

 

[Lubrown]

Seriously I would not worry about unsprung weight on a commercial vehicle its hardly going make lot of difference to the handling. ( If you are building a lightweight performance vehicle then yes unsprung weight has to considered in the calculations)
The main consideration is using a wheel that conforms with the vehicle specifications in respect of load rating. I stick to TUV certified wheels which are approved by manufacturer’s

You’re probably right but I’ve always wanted to upgrade the wheels since getting the van and as I see it, as long as the replacements are up to the load rating (and yes, the ones I’m looking at are also TUV approved) then being 6kg a piece lighter might well help ride quality.
I’m after comfort, not acceleration or handling.
The biggest difference for me will probably be going to a 101 or 103 rated tyre rather that a C rated 109.
Happy to learn though, as ever, and wouldn’t want to risk safety so happy to be corrected if I’m making mistakes.

 

[JumpShip]

I'm more concerned with putting extra load on the box /driveshafts with the weight of some of these wheels.

 

[TheEagle]

Finally found some time to look into some option, and getting advice from CRS as suggested so thanks

Thoughts on something like these for a T28 6.1 ?

Wolfrace 39 71 Munich GTR Gloss Black 18 5x120 Wheel Tyre Set - Vanstyle

www.vanstyle.co.uk

As earlier in thread, comfort, good driving and minimal mods is main pref - whilst adding better look...

Will then work out best tyres and any suspension mods.

Alternative suggestions on alternative or better wheels welcome...

 

[Hilly64]

Don’t forget you will likely need to inform your insurance provider. I am sticking with my OEM Devonports at present but may switch to sportlines at some point. Direct line were ok with this but stated they had a limit of plus 2” from OEM so going to say 20’s might be an issue. Other providers may differ.

 

[RobertO2023]

Are they TUV approved?

 

[TheEagle]

Don’t forget you will likely need to inform your insurance provider. I am sticking with my OEM Devonports at present but may switch to sportlines at some point. Direct line were ok with this but stated they had a limit of plus 2” from OEM so going to say 20’s might be an issue. Other providers may differ.

Thanks, don't plan on going above 18" but will check with insurance before buying

Also like look of these:

Van Parts Direct | VW Transporter 2010-Present 18" 10 Spoke Wheel Matt Black | ZGBSHA0714 98A

| VW Transporter 2010-Present 18" 10 Spoke Wheel Matt Black| ZGBSHA0714 98A | Genuine VW Parts and Accessories

vwvanpartsdirect.co.uk

Will only get TUV approved tho, from what this forum has suggested!

 

[GUMY]

How do you know if they're TUV approved and how important is this? I can't see anywhere on Wolfrace's own website that states whether their wheels are TUV approved. (Sorry if it's a dumb question)

 

[Stay Frosty]

As far as I know it's German type approval and means the item is fit for use after their TUV MOT test on a vehicle on German roads, bit like the "JWL" logo on Japanese wheels or the "Anything Goes/Your Name Here" logo on Chinese wheels.
Generally the TUV requirement is fairly strict but would only be a requirement on a vehicle registered in Germany, type approval there makes any departure from the manufacturers spec pretty much verboten so none of the freedom to improve/ruin the vehicles handling that we get on our chariots.

 

[GUMY]

So the question remains - how do you know if they're TUV or not? I can only find this on Wolfrace's website:

"The Wolfrace brand and product range enjoys enviable credibility amongst the alloy wheel market and quality is second-to-none, for example, some of our Wolfrace wheels are TUV approved with a five-year warranty on selected finishes. The range is also an approved product for Renault UK."

 

[Stay Frosty]

I reckon if you can't see TUV anywhere in the advertising blurb for a particular wheel it's safe to assume that they're not TUV suitable and that they're not bothered about selling wheels in Germany.
Think of spangly wheels that feature on German domestic market vehicles and then you're golden, obviously the £500 you pay for each dreary looking TUV approved ABT wheel on your Transporter is perfectly reasonable given that TUV accreditation.
Edit:- Just had a look to check my £500 guesstimate and £814 per corner will do for a 20" rim with polished lip from some bunch in MK, don't forget those TUV approved tyres too and Alpine blend fresh TUV approved nitrogen.

 

[GUMY]

OK, I can see now some of the 18" offerings from Wolfrace for the T6 are TUV.

Buy Volkswagen T6 Transporter Alloy Wheels, 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025, Alloy Wheels for Sale: Buy Car and Van Alloys | Tyre Packages

Buy Volkswagen T6 Transporter Alloy Wheels, 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025, Discover premium alloy wheels and tyre packages designed to enhance your vehicle's style and performance. Our meticulously crafted alloy wheels offer style, durability, and improved driving dynamics...

www.wolfrace.co.uk

So again (sorry), how important is this? I thought Wolfrace have a pretty sound reputation?

 

[Stay Frosty]

@GUMY Are you likely to be living and driving in Germany soon?
If not then it's irrelevant and you can buy the BS or ISO numbered wheel manufactured for this country and drive it on holiday in Germany.
If you like the look of Wolfrace wheels then go for it but there are multiple other marques out there and you won't find a consensus of a particular wheel as being the best for a Transporter let alone the size of that wheel... unless it's a Judd or Bola or Rotiform or...