Wheels, why/

[Thread Bear]

What is the sniffignorance of the several types of steel wheel rims? There are solids and ones with cut outs. I have a right old mixture with all sorts of tyres on, so its a bit confusing. My assumption would be solid early, cut outs late. Different width? Sorting out the best of the rest rims for the new 185s after getting the new 165s on Gary while I do spheres.

I hope its not ones that are solid go on steel bonnet cars. Aaaargh!

[Tim Leech]

Lol

All GTi 8v had holed wider steel wheels (silver from 86-89 and then black from 89-93), most others had the standard solid silver type from 83 onwards, TZD turbo's had black holed type (previous model DTR turbo was standard silver) as did the later model TX special editions (same as fitted to ZX/306 etc). They are interchangeable from model to model and theres no definitive guide to what had what. It seemed though if a full width wheel trim was fitted then normally black vented wheels were fitted but to confuse matters the TG models (late 89 on) had silver solid wheels and full width wheel covers (albeit held on by the wheel nuts which may have a significance)...also the engine power had something to do with it.....my 19TZI had the same tyres and vented black rims as the GTi.

[citsncycles]

All the ones I've had (Timex, '89 19RD Estate, '90 14 TGE) had the solid wheels. Timex had vented front wheels when I got it, but I believe they were from a Peugeot. They were also wider - They barely fit under the Mk1 front wings, and the original trims wouldn't fit. Can't remember exactly how, but the wheels are date stamped too.

[Thread Bear]

That makes sense as the Pug 405 had bigger tyres as I recall. Incidentally I have a steel spare wheel for an alloy wheel set from a Pug 405 should anyone find such a thing of use. I assume it will fit the Gti and better shod BX.

Right wheels are not earth shatteringly different but sounds like the cut out ones might suit my needs better. After a shuffle there might be some singleton spares as local hoarders have done quite well! About 7 are going to scrap so far as they are passed sensible reuse. But yet to eye each one up.

[KevR]

Every steel BX wheel I've had since my first BX 16 years ago has been the silver painted solid type. Various Peugeot ones fit the same PCD but have different offsets so sit further out towards the wings than BX ones, hence perhaps the problem with wing clearance?

[electrokid]

All 3 of my TGD estates have had solid wheels. Might be a bit stronger I guess but the usual reason for having holes in wheels is to aid brake disc ventilation so higher power models are more likely to have holed wheels and at least some gaps in the wheeltrim.