I need halp - Brake rotors [SOLVED]

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 12/15/2015 at 17:03 • Filed to: None

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Trying to buy winter tires for my wifes TDI sportwagen (2011) with the “ !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ” money that VW sent us that we have to spend at the dealer. The good news? the dealer has a mounted and ready to go set for a semi reasonable $699 for wheels and tires; The only catch is they are 15 inch and not 16. I remember reading something some time ago that because the sportwagens were bigger with a higher GVWR that they got a larger front rotor (312 mm vs 288) compared to the jetta sedan and golf. The trouble is the dealer is confident that the 15’s will “probably work” and the internet isn’t giving my any firm confirmation that her car has the larger front rotor. I want to send my wife down to pick them up but Im not having her pack up the kids and drive down there for a “we can try and go from there” attitude.

I had her check the spare tire and it too is a 16 inch wheel, not a 15 so I’m thinking that I need 16’s.

Long story short? Can anyone help me find reliable data on whether or not 15 inch rims will fit on a 2011 sportwagen TDI? Im guessing no, but I need to be sure.

UPDATE: I called another dealer and their tire package is 16 inch and they wanted...wait for it...$250 a tire/wheel before installation. BWAHAHAHA! They said they would cut me a break since its the end of the year and “give” them to me for $225 a tire/wheel. That’s $900 for 4 tires and 4 16” steel wheels. Seriously? I can get alloys shipped to me for that price.

Ash78, voting early and often > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:07

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The B5 Passats, IIRC, had the 288mm, while the 312mm was part of the “Audi A8 upgrade” and required 16” wheels to clear. I’d bet they’re all the exact same parts for a 2011. Not much changes with brakes over time.

But I’d want to know that you truly have 312mm for sure — I believe it’s stamped on the rotor hat, along with minimum thickness.

Going from distant memory here, hope it helps.

Takuro Spirit > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:11

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I use Tire Rack as my go-to guide for swaps and they say 16” is as small as you can go.

Otherwise you can check the VW forums for similar vehicles, as I am sure someone has been there before.

HammerheadFistpunch > Ash78, voting early and often 12/15/2015 at 17:12

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I may hay to check that out tonight

Spaceball-Two > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:12

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http://www.vwvortex.com/

Just kidding. Please don’t go there.

CB > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:13

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Crappy Tire seems to indicate that 15s will work.

HammerheadFistpunch > CB 12/15/2015 at 17:14

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So does crappy dealer...I’m not convinced.

HammerheadFistpunch > Takuro Spirit 12/15/2015 at 17:14

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The forums have been less than helpful

HammerheadFistpunch > Spaceball-Two 12/15/2015 at 17:14

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I did...it was no help.

Takuro Spirit > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:15

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What’s happening to forums these days????

Ash78, voting early and often > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:16

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If not, I’ve had good luck with dealer parts counters IF you demand they look up the exploded diagram AND you match your VIN correctly. VW is notorious for midyear changes with a starting/ending VIN range. My 2001.5 has a mix of parts for 2001 and 2002 and very often the half-year doesn’t even appear in the system.

iSureWilll > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:16

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I have a Mk6 Golf TDI with the stock 17’s and I will bet you $100 the 15’s don’t fit. I haven’t read anything about it but HIGHLY doubt the 15’s would.

Tell them you’ll come down and buy if they fit. If they DONT fit, then you want their shop rate payed to you for your waste of time.

TahoeSTi > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:16

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The Jetta sports wagons have 312mm brakes up front, that said they require at least a 16” rim. You maybe able to get by with spacers up from but the tires will most likely stick out.

The good news is you can upgrade the front calipers to 4 piston fixed caliper from an early Porsche Boxster (non S) with just an adapter. while reusing the factory 312mm rotors and even some 16” rims.

TahoeSTi > iSureWilll 12/15/2015 at 17:17

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15’s might fit your golf, the Sportswagens have the same brake rotors as the GLI jetta or GTI golf.

TahoeSTi > Ash78, voting early and often 12/15/2015 at 17:18

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100% for sure if he has a Jetta Sportswagen they are 312mm rotors.

HammerheadFistpunch > TahoeSTi 12/15/2015 at 17:20

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All sportwagen’s? starting when?

DrJohannVegas > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:21

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Negative, sir. You have the 312mm brakes, so you are no-go for 15” wheels.

iSureWilll > TahoeSTi 12/15/2015 at 17:23

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15s definitely won't fit.

DrJohannVegas > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:24

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TDIClub, bro: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php…

DrJohannVegas > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:34

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http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php… -brake-rotor-diameter&highlight=brake+rotors

HammerheadFistpunch > DrJohannVegas 12/15/2015 at 17:35

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The googles failed me hard.

DrJohannVegas > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:36

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Its cool. Both Vortex and TDIClub have become real messes in the past few years. I have not been active on either in years, the former because of the crowd and the latter because of the forum changes.

Edit: I am guessing that the 2.5 vs TDI distinction isn’t something they are thinking about. I have a low-production model as well, and I got so fed up with all of the mistakes dealers would make when describing the car (and nervous about potential mistakes in part ordering/repair) that I just disconnected from the dealer network.

Boxer_4 > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:50

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It appears the TDI (and 2.0T) received upgraded front brake rotors from the GTI starting in 2009 (312 mm). The rears were upgraded on all 2010 Sportwagens starting December 2009 (from 260 mm to 272 mm).

I can’t find anything on the 2011, but I can’t imagine the rotor size would have decreased...

HammerheadFistpunch > Boxer_4 12/15/2015 at 17:52

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They sure FEEL like big-ass rotors. One of the things I’ve always hated about her car was the brakes. Not that they aren’t effective, they are TOO effective...well, too grabby anyway.

vicali > HammerheadFistpunch 12/15/2015 at 17:52

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Nope;

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php…

HammerheadFistpunch > vicali 12/15/2015 at 18:01

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Yeah, I called back the dealer and they were all “actually you’re right...” so anyway I just placed an order for tires, 840 for 4 wheels and tires with Blizzak WS80...not as good as a could have gotten elsewhere but $500 of that monies is coming out of martin winterkorn, so I’m only paying $340