Bolt Pattern

The wide5 is what the originals came with. It just looks RIGHT.

I've gone 5x130mm on my car (I have genuine 911 Fuchs 5 spokes) but if the choices were 5x205 or 4x130 I would choose 5x205- a 356  with wide 5's and no hubcaps just looks bitchin'.... Al 

5 wide it is. Thanks.

I think you have to decide on the look you are going with.  The 4x130s will give you more options and with Beck offering the 10 slot D pattern wheel in a 4x130 you can easily simulate the original look as long as you run them with hub caps.  It also allows for the use of 4x130 to 5x130 adapters if you ever fall in love with the Fuch wheel.  You will hear horror stories about the adapters but I have run them on mine for a few years now with no ill effects.  If you want the wide five outlaw look, then wide 5s are the answer.

Hello Rod,

What do you mean when you say 'which is better'? Safety? Looks? Durability? Availability? 

The wide 5's and standard 4 lugs are pretty much the same when it comes to durability and availability. The wide 5's require a special adapter to mount balance tires on them. Some shops have the parts, but not all.  I can't think of any reason that one would be appreciably more 'safe' than the other. 

Aside from those few things -- In my opinion it's really a matter of aesthetics.  The 'wide five' pattern limits your options but they look 'correct'. They have the right offset and style. The later / standard VW 4 bolt pattern looks similar but oddly out of place. The 4 bolt pattern opens up a host of aftermarket styles and adapters.  

I'm partial to the wide 5 myself.

Ted

I have a Porsche bolt pattern on my IM, along with replica Fuchs wheels and if I had it to do again I'd go with wide fives.  In my opinion nothing looks better on a speedster/spyder.

The downside to wide fives is the steel wheels are heavy and the aluminum wheels are worth a prince's ransom.  There are some other wide five styles but (in my opinion) they don't look right on a speedster.

The downside to having a Porsche bolt pattern is real Porsche wheels are getting seriously expensive.  There are replica choices, but not many.

If you really like the look of Fuchs wheels this is a good choice.

5 x 130 bolt pattern, fake 5.5" Fuchs, 185 x 60 x 15 rubber, 4-wheel discs....case closed!