Fuchs on a 1303

[CarreraLook]

Sorry if this has been asked many times before, but having searched through the back-posts I couldn't find the specific info I needed.

Although I've had other Beetles in the past, I'm new to the 1303 and its strut set-up. I want to lower the front, possibly the rear, and fit 6" Fuchs, either genuine or replica, in 15 or 16" diameter. I want to use the standard wings so I don't want the wheels and tyres to stick out too much... preferably not much more than the standard 5.5" Rostyles. I believe I'd have to fit a narrower strut kit for clearance (who makes the best of these kits?) but have also been told that the 6" wheels come in various different offsets, so I don't know what to use and don't want to buy the wrong set. I don't mind buying the Flat4 replicas if I can't find a reasonably priced genuine set. Can I get away with a set of 7" at the rear?

I also need to know what size and profile of tyres to use front and rear - don't want to use super-skinny 145s at the front as I need the car to handle well.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[CarreraLook]

Sorry, should have added that I'd like to use a new set of discs that already has the Porsche bolt pattern - don't want to get the hubs re-drilled or use adaptors. Who supplies the best of these in the UK?

[monkey]

Carreralook -Sorry to hijack this thread, but I was going to ask a very similar question, and it may be useful for Carreralook as well... :)

I have just bought a set of 4 16 x 6 fuchs. The offset is 36 mm on all of them.
Is there anyway that these will fit on the front of a 1303 with standard width struts/springs? If not, whats the minimum needed to get them to fit and clear the struts / arches?
What tyres would be recommended for the front on these wheels?

The cars lowered by about 2.5 - 3 " already (using shortened springs) and has drums all around. These will be replaced by redrilled items.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j280/shane_r/fuchs001.jpg~original

Thanks and hopefully this will be helpful for CL as well.
Monkey

[NO_H2O]

I don't think the 16x6 will fit with standard springs. I have 16x6 C2's on my 1302 and used MaxxStruts. The "Sport Springs" might work well for you if the MaxxStrut is out of reach. I run a 195/50/16 on the front and a 205/55/16 on the rear with stock fenders.

[vujade]

Jak Rizzo from Autralia had 16 x 6 front & 16 x 7 rears and had to run
a narrow spring in the front to get them to fit under the stock fenders...

JakRizzo (http://www.germanlook.com/Html/Features/Feature01Oct2002.htm)

[oasis]

I run a 195/50/16 on the front and a 205/55/16 on the rear with stock fenders.

I never noticed that. We're twins -- sort of. :laugh:

BTW, I have MaXX struts.

[CarreraLook]

Thanks for all the help so far, guys.

For speed and convenience I've decided to go for the Flat4 Fuchs replicas in the 15x5.5" size for now. I also intend to lower the front end at the same time with the 50mm lowering springs.

I'll be re-using the standard tyres for now, (not sure if they're 165 or 155 size, and I don't have the car here at the moment)... can't afford the Porsche-pattern disc kit yet, so would it be better to use re-drilled standard hubs or go for porsche-pattern adaptors/spacers? I don't know the offset of the Flat4 wheels so don't know whether they'll fit right on or whether I'll have to go for any spacers or narrowed front springs for clearance.

Anyone know? At the moment the car is a stock 1303 with no mods.

[monkey]

Thanks for all the help so far, guys.

For speed and convenience I've decided to go for the Flat4 Fuchs replicas in the 15x5.5" size for now. I also intend to lower the front end at the same time with the 50mm lowering springs.

I'll be re-using the standard tyres for now, (not sure if they're 165 or 155 size, and I don't have the car here at the moment)... can't afford the Porsche-pattern disc kit yet, so would it be better to use re-drilled standard hubs or go for porsche-pattern adaptors/spacers? I don't know the offset of the Flat4 wheels so don't know whether they'll fit right on or whether I'll have to go for any spacers or narrowed front springs for clearance.

Anyone know? At the moment the car is a stock 1303 with no mods.

Two things - you're going to struggle to get hold of any 5.5 flat four reps in the UK at the moment. Most places don't have them in stock and will quote 4 - 6 weeks to get them. Karman Konnection are a little more expensive than SSP, bu they will get them within a week usually. You'll end up spending £200 on adaptors, so you might as well get redrilled hubs. They cost the same.

Depending upon your tyres, 5.5 should be OK and not require slimline struts, however, you may need to stick 5 or 10 mm spacers on them. Mike at Machine 7 can sell you the stuff and advise you what you'll need.

Good luck.