Volkswagen (VW) MK7 Golf R Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Models Covered in This Guide

2015-2021 GTI and Golf R

Brake Clearance Information

All of our VW Flow Formed SM-10, Forged VS-5RS, and Forged ML-10RT wheels will clear the standard Golf R and GTI Performance Package brakes with ease, as well as a variety of aftermarket BBK's. To see if these wheels can clear your specific BBK, please check out our brake clearance database at the end of this guide.

Fuel-filler Hose Clearance

It is important to note that the MK7 Golf R has a factory relocated fuel-filler hose that improves rear-inner clearance compared to standard Golf and GTI models. Please read the respective fitment notes if you are interested in running the 18x9" ET42 with 265 or wider tires on your standard Golf or GTI, as more aggressive tire sizes/compounds can potentially come into contact with the rear fuel-filler hose on those models.

These fitments are ready-to-bolt-on, typically without any modifications, and provide a meaningful increase in wheel width over stock. Available in both 17" and 18" diameters, the fitments listed in this section are an ideal choice for the enthusiast who regularly drives their VW on the street but still wants to participate in a few HPDE's as well. These fitments are a great match for a completely stock or lightly modified MK7 VW.

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 17x8.5” ET43
• • Popular Fitment
  • Available in SM-10 design only

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 235/45-17
• • Direct fit.
  • The best option for additional ride comfort and compliance.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Wider Alternative: 245/40-17
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Slimmer Alternative (OE width): 225/45-17
• • Direct fit
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 18x8.5” ET43
• • Popular Fitment
  • Available in SM-10 design only

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: 235/40-18
• • Direct fit
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Wider Alternative: 245/40-18
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Wider Alternative 2: 245/35-18
• • Direct fit
  • With a shorter overall rolling diameter compared to the 245/40-18, the 245/35-18 will allow you to run a wider contact patch while reducing the chance of rubbing under suspension compression.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180 TW)
• Wider Alternative 3: 255/35-18
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • Not recommended when running tire compounds that tend to run wide in the shoulders (200TW or R compounds), as those will be better supported with our 18x9" ET42 fitment.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Slimmer Alternative (OE width): 225/40-18
• • Direct fit
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)

These fitments are the perfect match for weekend track warriors and hardcore racers seeking to maximize the wheel and tire size that they can fit on their MK7 VW. These aggressive wheel specs will typically require supportive modifications commonly found on track cars. Available in 17", 18", and 19" diameters to cater to a variety of performance-focused tire sizes and compounds. With a focus on brake clearance, our VW-specific fitments are able to clear the standard Golf R and GTI Performance Package brakes with ease, as well as a variety of aftermarket BBKs. However, brake clearance can vary depending on wheel design, as the VS-5RS and SM-10 will have better clearance for larger aftermarket brakes compared to the ML-10RT.

*Important note for all non-R MK7 VW models (including standard Golf, Sportwagen/Alltrack, and GTI)*

On the non-R MK7 Golf, Sportwagen/Alltrack, and GTI the OEM fuel filler hose limits rear-inner clearance for wider aftermarket wheels and tires. On the Golf R, VW relocated this fuel filler hose to allow for additional inner clearance to support the wider wheels and tires that come standard. While we developed our performance track and race fitments with lower offsets to help address this concern on the non-R Golf variants, certain suspension and alignment configurations can potentially still allow for rubbing on the fuel-filler hose when using more aggressive tire compounds. Due to this, we recommend doing the fuel-filler hose relocation modification to provide you with enough rear-inner clearance to support a 265 or wider rear tire.

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 17x9” ET42
• • Popular Fitment
  • Available in SM-10 and VS-5RS designs.

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 255/40-17
• • "Fender screw mod" is recommended to help alleviate any rubbing that may occur under suspension compression.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is recommended when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Slimmer Alternative: 245/40-17
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), BFG Rival S 1.5 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 18x9” ET42
• • The best track setup option for those running aftermarket BBKs with rotor sizes that require 18" or larger wheels.
  • Available in SM-10, VS-5RS, and ML-10RT designs.

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 255/35-18
• • "Fender screw mod" is recommended to help alleviate any rubbing that may occur under suspension compression.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is recommended when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Wider Alternative: 265/35-18
• • Not recommended for non-R MK7 variants due to rear fuel filler clearance issues.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is required when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • May require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Slimmer Alternative: 245/40-18
• • Direct fit with most street tire compounds
  • More aggressive tire compounds may require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW), Continental Extreme Contact (340TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-Compounds: Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 19x9” ET42
• • Available in ML-10RT design only.

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 245/35-19
• • "Fender screw mod" is recommended to help alleviate any rubbing that may occur under suspension compression.
  • Additional front and rear negative camber is recommended when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
• Wider Alternative: 255/30-19
• • Additional front and rear negative camber is required when using aggressive track-focused tire compounds.
  • May require a "fender screw mod" to alleviate rubbing under suspension compression.

Wheels:

• Front & Rear: 17x8.5” ET43
• • Popular Fitment
  • Available in SM-10 design only

Tires:

• APEX Staff Pick: 235/45-17
• • Direct fit.
  • The best option for additional ride comfort and compliance.
  • All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)

Whether you are a casual weekend track warrior that still enjoys your car on the street, or a hard core racer competing for a spot on the podium, negative camber is a vital part of chassis setup that has many benefits. Not only will adding negative camber create more room for wider wheel and tire configurations, it more importantly improves handling, turn-in and tire longevity. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.

Still have questions?

Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form Call us: 925-245-0773 Email us: support@apexraceparts.com