Hey guys,

I ran into a problem last night that I hope you can help me understand...

There is a guy around here locally that is selling some aftermarket rims (decorsa polaris 5s) that he had on his Jetta. I'm pretty sure he said it was a 2007 (looked to be about that age).

He didn't know the offset of the rims when I asked before going but I figured I would check them out anyway.

Long story short, I went and pulled off one of my front wheels and put on the new rim. Obviously, it fit fine as far as bolt pattern goes, but the offset was waaay off. To my estimate, it was maybe 12mm. Because of this, my brake caliper was sticking out between the spokes, stopping the wheel from spinning.

Now, I have no evidence that the rims were ever on his Jetta, but he "seemed" like an upstanding guy, so I have no reason (for now) to doubt him.

Doing some research, it looks like that model Jetta should be able to fit rims with an offset of 42-50, where my 2007 A4 should be able to fit rims with 32-45.

Unfortunately, in all the confusion and disappointment, I forgot to actually look at the rim to see what offset was stamped on it and I've recently emailed him to see if he can check.

To add to this, I checked a website (Element Custom Wheels Tires, Wheel Tire Packages,Cheap Rims,Car Wheels) that sells these rims, and also confirms that the rims you select will fit the vehicle you have.
So I tried the various sizes with the two vehicles.

I know for sure that the rims are 18", but not sure if they are 7.5 or 8.5 (again, forgot in all the chaos) wide.

Here is what the website says for each:

- 18x8.5 @ 5x112 will NOT fit the Jetta. They have an offset of 32mm.

- 18x8.5 @ 5x112 WILL fit the A4. They have an offset of 32mm.

- 18x7.5 @ 5x112 WILL fit the Jetta. They come with an offset of 42mm. (*Also has 32mm model that won't fit)

- 18x7.5 @ 5x112 WILL fit the A4. They come with offset choices of 32mm or 42mm.

*When saying that the 7.5 wide rims will not fit the Jetta, it also mentions that the 32mm (ones that won't fit) ones are a universal 4 or 5 bolt pattern. I know for certain that the rims I tried are only 5x112, not universal.

So all this would lead me to believe (without confirmation) that they are 18x7.5 @ 5x112 with an offset of 42mm.

If this is the case, why would they not clear on my A4?
I didn't think it was the case, but is it common to need spacers for aftermarket rims even if they meet the offset requirements? If this is the case, then wouldn't the website saying they fit mention that you also need spacers?

I noticed that on my factory rims, the spokes are rounded outwards, where the spokes on these aftermarket rims were rounded a little inwards. Would/should this make a difference?

Sorry for the long post, all the questions and the lack of some details. But logically, this just doesn't make sense to me.

It makes me nervous now about aftermarket rims on the A4.. especially if buying them without being able to fit them because what I thought made sense, doesn't seem to now. I've had aftermarket rims on many other cars I've owned, but never on a VW/Audi so I don't know if it's different.

 

**Update**

He checked the rims and confirmed that they are 18x7.5, but did not see any markings about the offset.

 

Ok.. so the only thing that I can make any sense of is that the company must make additional offsets that maybe they don't sell on that website. So he must have an offset of like 50, so they fit on his car, but not mine.

I think I'm going to give this one a rest. It just sucks, because there are very slim pickings around here for sale in the used market (in that bolt pattern).