1983–1992 · hatchback
The Mk2 Golf left the factory on 13 or 14-inch wheels, with 15s as an option on later and sportier cars, so most owners treat 15 inches as the natural step up. The usual aim is a period-correct 15-inch wheel at 6 or 7 inches wide with a sensible offset, as the arches leave little room once the car is lowered.
4x100 bolt pattern · 57.1 mm centre bore · Stock wheels: 13 × 5.5, 14 × 6 inch · Stock tyres: 175/70 R13, 185/60 R14
Updated 2026-10-31 · Medium source confidence. Check your exact trim and market. How we check specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | |
| Stock tyre sizes | |
| Centre bore | 57.1 mm |
| Fastener and thread | Wheel bolt, M12x1.5 |
| Tightening torque | 110 Nm (confirm in your handbook) |
Factory options vary by trim and market. Match your car to the row below and check its tyre placard before using it as a baseline.
| Trim | Axle | Wheel | Tyre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base and mid-range models, 13-inch | Front and rear | 13 × 5.5 inch, ET38 | 175/70 R13 |
| GTI and GTI 16V, 14-inch alloy | Front and rear | 14 × 6 inch, ET38 | 185/60 R14 |
Read these before choosing wheels for the Golf: they explain the offset, fitment and hub numbers in this guide.
Starting points for a build. Read the notes with each setup, especially if your car is lowered or has different brakes.
195/50 R15 is one of the approved sizes for a 6x15 ET38 rim on the Mk2, and an administrator of the Mk2 Golf Owners Club forum reports running 195/50 R15 on 6J 15s with no fouling. Members there describe it as a common, cheap tyre size.
A Retro Rides member selling a set of 15x6 ET35 BBS RAs, described as original Mk2 GTI wheels, ran them on 185/55 R15 tyres. 185/55 R15 is also the optional 15-inch size listed for the GTI 16V.
Check the exact setup
There is no confirmed range for this car yet. Compare a known wheel with your proposed size and measure both sides.
Measure before ordering
A maximum width has not been confirmed. Tyre shape, ride height and alignment all change the available space.
These figures belong to the setups described here. Combining the widest wheel with either end of the offset range does not guarantee a safe fit. For how ET moves the wheel in and out, read wheel offset explained; for how far the tyre can sit out, see flush, poke and tucked fitment.
Upload a photo and start with a look that suits the Golf. Try the wheels, colour and stance before you spend on parts.
An AI preview shows the look. It cannot verify physical fitment.
These tools start with the Base and mid-range models, 13-inch front size. Choose your own trim or axle in the calculator if it differs.
4x100, with a 57.1 mm centre bore and M12x1.5 wheel bolts torqued to 110 Nm.
The standard GTI and GTI 16V wheel was a 6x14 ET38 alloy on 185/60 R14 tyres, with 185/55 R15 listed as an option on the 16V.
195/50 R15 and 185/55 R15 are the usual choices. Both are within 2% of the factory 13 and 14-inch tyre diameters, so the speedometer stays close.
Often, but offset matters. Owners report slight rear rubbing at ET20 and ET28 with 195/50 tyres, and suggest staying around ET35 or above on a lowered car.
Factory wheels are 13 × 5.5 inch and 14 × 6 inch, depending on trim. The stock table lists the offset for each.
57.1 mm. Aftermarket wheels with a larger bore need hub-centric rings sized to it.
110 Nm (about 81 lb-ft) for the original bolts. Confirm in your handbook, especially with aftermarket wheels or bolts.
This guide is a starting point, not a fitment guarantee. Specs can differ by market, trim and previous modifications. Confirm all sizes, clearances and fastener requirements with a qualified wheel and tyre professional before buying or fitting parts.
More guides from Volkswagen or cars with the same bolt pattern. A matching pattern alone does not make a wheel interchangeable.