VW Golf GTI 18 inch monza alloy wheels - how to tell if genuine ?

[uk345]

Hi there,

Ive got the chance to purchase a spare 18 inch monza alloy wheel for a very good price. The owner has told me it is brand new and is 18 inch. How do i tell if it is a genuine vw part of a replica ?

Cheers

[sub39h]

look/ask for a photo of the back. should have VW stamps, part numbers and either a Ronal or BBS stamp depending on who made it. (they both made Monzas at different times for VW. they both look the same externally.)

also VW centre caps should fit in them no problem.

best thing to do is to post a photo on here. many forum members will be able to readily identify from the face of the wheel whether it's likely to be fake (although they obviously can't guarantee 100% it's real)

[JoeDarKa]

Monzas are usually 7.5j and not 8j, are they not?

[john87]

Another way of telling if it's a fake is to compare it to a picture of a genuine one - the maximum O/D of the profile between the spokes is smaller on the fakes, resulting in a bigger 'lip' between the edge of the wheel and said O/D.

Not very well explained I know, but it is obvious once you've seen it a few times 

[uk345]

Cheers for the replies gents - its very much appreciated. Here is a picture of the exact alloy wheel in question.

[Scottymon]

Looks gen., but as stated the stamps inside are your proof.

[uk345]

The owner is going to send me a picture of the back of the alloy so i can read what it says. Once this is recieved i shall post it up. Will be up in about 15 mins

[uk345]

Pictures sent by seller:

[Jakesangel]

Hello mate, I think that wheel is a 17" according to the markings on the back of the wheel. I clicked on your picture and then enlarged it and the marking states 17 x 17.5J. I could be wrong but that aint an 18" wheel i'm sure.

Hope it helps

[Scottymon]

^ Was just going to say the same thing, 17 x 7.5J on the back.  Seems to have a few stamps, but nothing that says BBS / Ronal at that resolution - which is kinda unimportant if it's a 17 anyway, lol.

[edd666999]

I call fake!

[sub39h]

17? could that not mean it's a Polo GTI wheel? because to my eyes the wheel looks genuine tbh

i still wouldn't buy it for your Mk5 however as the stud pattern is wrong (5x100 for the Polo, 5x112 for the Mk5)