2003 Beetle spare tire/wheel

Can someone tell me if the wheel size (bolt pattern and offset) for a 2003 Beetle is different than one for a corresponding MKIV Jetta or Golf?

Thanks.

this probably is of small use to you because i dont have the specs, but i took brand new tires/wheels off an auto 2001 beetle i bought for parts and put them on my 04 golf BEW and the only difference was the golf ran 15 inch rims and i wanted the 16s from the beetle . runs great, no alignment problems or anything like that. loves the extra inch of clearance too.

i also took the stock 16's off my wifes beetle after i bought her nicer rims and put them on my 01 jetta, ran great. again to get rid of the 15s on the jetta.

They can be used interchangeably if you like, but the 15" wheels look sorta goofy on the Beetles.

Beetle Rave wheels look pretty good on the Golfs and Jettas though.

There is no real change in rolling diameter, because the 15" wheels use a taller tire than the 16" wheels do.

Downside to the 16" wheels is you will get a harsher ride (again, less sidewall height), more road noise (they will be slightly wider, so more tread contacting the road) and usually the tires will cost a wee bit more and last a wee bit less... comparing the same model tire in an apples to apples way.

The 16" wheel make the Golf or Jetta handle a bit better at the extremes though. The GTI/GLI cars already came with 16" wheels (but are not the same looking as the Beetle wheels... and for that matter, the higher performance Beetle Turbo S got 17 or 18" wheels).

Thank you both. I'm helping a friend pull together a damaged Beetle TDI and we were discussing (through PM) wheels and what to do since the Beetle needs a few replacements.

If you were closer, you could have my spare. It is a unused steel wheel/michelin tire combo that came from the factory. I think it is a 16" wheel. It would look great with a hubcap!. Probably cost too much to ship.

I can't use it anymore because my brakes are too big.

I am running 18" snows and 19" summers and yes the ride is quite a bit firmer.

PB_NB said:

If you were closer, you could have my spare. It is a unused steel wheel/michelin tire combo that came from the factory. I think it is a 16" wheel. It would look great with a hubcap!. Probably cost too much to ship.

I can't use it anymore because my brakes are too big.

I am running 18" snows and 19" summers and yes the ride is quite a bit firmer.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. We can find one close by as there are lots of used auto scrap yards around here.

Where in Tx are you located aja8888? I have an extra spare wheel and tire from a parts beetle that I might be interested in selling if interested.

Thanks, we are all set now.