Winter tyre sizing. Alltrack question.

[juice]

I have a 140 alltrack. I will be using the car in the alps this winter. My previous car was a passat 4 motion with 16" wheels and I simply changed over the tyres for winter tyres in November, this car has 18" wheels and I want to use either 16" or 17" steel wheels with winter tyres. How can I find which are the correct spec wheels and tyres to use. The handbook is not very helpful.
Thanks.
btw I am loving the car, it feels very refined.

[CovRob]

I have the 170 DSG Alltrack and have sourced a set of almost new alloys for the winter switch. I will get some tyres later in the year. The winter wheel size is 6.5J x 17" ET39 and the winter tyre size is 205-50R17 93V. You will find that the TPM system has 3 options for wheel size - one for the winter set up with part load or full load choices to pre-set the system (if you have the pressure senders fitted to the tyres. If not the system detects their absence and shuts down while winter tyres are fitted - that's the example in the hand book). VW do some alloy winter wheel packages (http://www.volkswagen-accessories.com/content/medialib/vwd4/de_vw_zubehoer/themenwelten/winterkomplettraeder/pdf-winterkomplettraederen0/_jcr_content/renditions/rendition.download_attachment.file/vwz_complete_winter_wheels_2012_2013_brochure_en.p df)for £1200 to £1400 depending on tyre fitment :aargh4: or for wheels alone they offer the Sima alloy (http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/accessories/alloys/1K80714978Z8/sima-17-alloy-brilliant-silver/passat-2012/alloys) wheel (part number 1K8 071497) at £185 per corner - there did seem to be about 10% movement in prices when I was enquiring in March just as I acquired my car. Hope that helps. PS - just did a quick search online and I couldn't find a 17" steel wheel option for VW (except the T5 transporter)...so 16" steels are all that might be available.

[juice]

Many thanks Rob that's very helpful. I did also think the vw package was ott and that I could do it for about half! I was hoping to find out if there was a 16" option as the wheels are much easier to come by and the tyres a little cheaper too. I may copy you and keep my eye out for some cheap alloys on eBay and shoe them later when the winter stock comes in. Thanks again.

[CovRob]

I looked all over for alloys, but if you're trying to spec the winter tyre package equivalent getting a 6.5J with the right offset is the problem. It might help knowing the Passat CC shares the same wheel specs...there may be a few more of those around compared to the new Alltrack. That's how I found mine when someone changed their CC and wanted to sell on their winter tyre wheels & tyres. They ended up swapping the tyres onto new wheels for their replacement car (they'd only done about 3k miles on them from new) and I bought the alloys. I think I'll go for the Continental TS 830P that topped the AutoExpress winter tyre comparison test in 2012. Currently available at around £140 per tyre fitted.

[CovRob]

While I was doing some more research into this for the Autumn switch I did a search on a VW part number for the St Moritz alloy wheel design also used by VW for their winter tyres on Scirocco, Passat, etc and found these listings in Germany that seem very good prices: vw st moritz alloy | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=vw+st+moritz+alloy&LH_PrefLoc=3#item5d3f4717fa) The wheel size, offset, tyre size, speed and load weighting are all spot on. May be a good "out of season" purchase?

[juice]

Many thanks Rob. I've sent them a message, will post how I get on.

[CovRob]

I'll be interested to see the outcome. The used wheels I identified have yet to be delivered up to me despite numerous promises...if they don't appear I think I'll also go down this route.

[juice]

Just noticed, these wheels are listed as used!

[CovRob]

Yes, sorry if you didn't realise that. I used Bing to translate the page and the wheels, if marked, are shown in detail and the tread remaining on the winter tyres is 7-8mm. It just looked a reasonable price for a winter wheel solution compared to the new packages from VW.

[juice]

I agree, if the wheels are in decent nick, and the tyres have 8mm it would still be a bargain, generally I like to have a look at s/h stuff though.

[CovRob]

Just browsing eBay.de I've found that if I search for VW st moritz 17 or VW sima 17 it brings up a number of s/h winter wheels of the right size for the Alltrack. Many have winter tyres with a lower speed rating (H) than needed for the Alltrack (V) but there are some sets appropriate and the wheels are pictured in great detail if there are blemishes and tyre wear is shown too. Looks like complete sets can be found for about 700 euros plus about 100 euros delivery.

[juice]

I've just found this.
PCD Volkswagen Passat B7 Alltrack (2012 - ) 5x110 wheels | PCD, Offset, Center Bore, mounting and tire size data (http://www.wheelfitment.eu/car/Volkswagen/Passat%20B7%20Alltrack%20(2012%20-%20)/)

I'll pop into the dealer and check, will post result.

[CovRob]

The PCD of 110 instead of 112 is different as is the offset of 42 instead of 39, so some differences between VW spec and this site.

[juice]

The offset seems a minor difference, but 110 v 112 would be significant. If I find anything more from vw I will post it here.

[veedub210]

Did u get anywhere with your search for winter tyres/alloys.

I need to get a set sorted soon so any info would be appreciated.




The offset seems a minor difference, but 110 v 112 would be significant. If I find anything more from vw I will post it here.

[CovRob]

A few are now appearing on eBay from Germany (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=vw+st+moritz&LH_PrefLoc=3&_sop=10)- 17" St Moritz alloys, largely H rated tyres rather than the V rated the Alltrack should sport though.

[juice]

I've been talking to a man called Phill at Tyreman in Hull. He knows his stuff and is expert on winter tyres. He will do alloy wheels 7j not 6.5 for around £430 and winter tyres from £450- £550 depending on make. I will still talk to vw but not until Nov.

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/?gclid=CObL87yiy7kCFbLMtAodJmcAGQ

[CovRob]

I'm in contact with a guy that has swapped cars and has a set of 17" Sima alloys from his Passat CC (now without winter tyres). They are supposedly unmarked and only did 1 winter. he has agreed to £60 per wheel and I hope to add Conti TS830P's to them in the very near future if it all comes together. If not I'll get a set of the German ones with 7mm+ of V rated tread left.

[juice]

Nice one Rob. If you hear of anymore let me know.

I am defiantly going for V rated as I'll be doing two trips to the alps so 4k motorway miles on them, plus insurance issues to consider.

[CovRob]

Nice one Rob. If you hear of anymore let me know.

I am defiantly going for V rated as I'll be doing two trips to the alps so 4k motorway miles on them, plus insurance issues to consider.

My thoughts exactly...the handbook and all recommendations are that you can drop one speed rating category with winter tyres, so V rated is the requirement for the Alltrack. I think all the H rated examples are from different VW models, even though the wheel dimensions are the same as we need (6.5J, ET39, PCD 112).

[veedub210]

I've found a set of used VW Sima's with used Conti TS830P with at least 7mm thread left for about £800 inc delivery.

Going to mull about until end of today then going for it.

[CovRob]

Nice one. That's the sort of route that's reasonably cost effective I think.

[veedub210]

Nice one. That's the sort of route that's reasonably cost effective I think.

Ordered them. Had to pay another £30 for the VW centre caps ;-( I'll keep you posted how I get on.

[juice]

I will be very interested to hear how you get on. I'm assuming they are from German eBay!

[veedub210]

Yes, ordered from here... 17 Zoll Winterräder Felgen original VW Golf 5 6 GTI Passat 3C CC Scirocco 13 | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310741945154?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)

[veedub210]

Received all four wheels with hub caps yesterday. Alloys are in prestine condition and tyres have plenty of grip on them too.

Now just wait for it get a little colder then put them on.

Highly recommend the German ebay guy I bought these from.

[CovRob]

Finally received my Sima alloys from a guy down south who swapped cars last year. He put the tyres onto his new car's winter wheels and sold me the rims after 1 winter's use...excellent condition. Just ordered my Continental Contiwintercontact tyres from Camskill (http://www.camskill.co.uk/m97b1761s635p98779/Continental_Tyres_Winter_Snow_Car_Continental_Cont iWinterContact_TS830P_Continental_Conti_Winter_Con tact_TS_830P_-_205_50_R17_93V_XL_FR_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3 A_C_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_72dB) at £122 each too, so they should be here in the week and my local garage/tyre fitter will fit & balance for £10 a corner...job done! A few pennies under £800 in total but still significantly cheaper than an new VW set at about £1300.

[juice]

Just had mine swapped at Tyreman in Hull. Great service, wheels and conti 830p tyres £980 all in. Where did you get the vw wheel centres from?
Recommended.

[CovRob]

Good result. What wheels did you choose? Mine were genuine VW wheels for this model and came complete with centre caps too. No spigots required as they were OE wheels.

[juice]

Rob They are Dezent RE simple five spoke design but got the 7". They look nice not too boy racer but you can see the brake disk and are easy to clean idea for winter. I'm off to the alps for the winter and it's already snowing hard.

I'm very pleased with the car. The mpg is not anywhere near the official but still getting 44 and am happy. Did a 4000 mile trip down to italy and even with some 8 hr drives was not knackered at the end of the day :)

[CovRob]

Nice wheels. I bought Dezent when sourcing winter wheels for my Tiguan. The ones you've picked look good and, as you say, simple for cleaning. Not too dissimilar to the Sima's. I agree with the fuel consumption comments, but so much of my motoring is local and all round it's a great car for capacity, towing and everything I need.

[CovRob]

The one thing I didn't do when buying separate wheels and tyres for the Alltrack was go the whole hog with the tyre pressure monitoring sensors, so the system is de-activated for the duration of fitment until the summer wheels & tyres go back on. I've got rather used to a pressure monitor and wondered what solution could be out there. I've just ordered this (http://www.tyrepal.co.uk/products/tb99-4-or-5-wheel-tpms) as it seems a rather neat package and available at a discount either through Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/TyrePal-TB99-Compact-Pressure-Monitor/dp/B00DWU473G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387313893&sr=8-1&keywords=tyrepal+tb99) or using the code ATT1311 (Audi TT forum group buy code valid until 31st December) on TyrePal's website reducing the list price from £135 to £100 plus £4.95 postage in either case.

Seemed a reasonable solution and far cheaper than paying about £150 per wheel on sensors before the tyres were fitted on the wheels.

[juice]

What a good bit of kit, i really like the idea of monitoring the spare as well, I've heard of a few drivers who find their spare is flat at the worst possible moment.

[juice]

A quick update. I've been driving around the French Alps for the last couple of weeks on some difficult roads, packed snow, refrozen snow, ice etc and the car coupled with the conti 830 p winter tyres has performed faultlessly.

[CovRob]

Good to read the benefits were worth it.

[skip24ftlb]

I've just fitted the winter alloy/tire package. Selected winter tires in the computer menu but still have the amber tire symbol in the display. Can anyone advise please
Cheers
Paul

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