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Posted by: rick 918-S Jul 5 2014, 11:50 AM

I'm looking at a set of reproduction Mahle Gas Burners for my 6. The original ones are pricing on the moon lately. Here's a link to the ones I'm looking at.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C32%2DGB2B

Here's are my questions:

Anyone know what the back space is for the factory Gas Burner?

Anyone ever seen these wheels side by side?

Are these good reproductions?

What is the correct style finish for the 6?

Posted by: GeorgeRud Jul 5 2014, 12:00 PM

Can't help with the back spacing, but it should be similar to the Fuchs or Shellie's of that era in order for it to fit correctly.

The finish was a bare magnesium/aluminum finish that could be closely replicated with some Wurth wheel paint. Definitely not the black background or chrome that are shown in the advertisement. I wonder if blasting the painted wheels would give a good base for painting them?

The originals have gone out of site on pricing, and perhaps the old magnesium wheels may not be all that strong after all these years. I think the repops are a reasonable choice and the look is great on a 914-6.

Posted by: Mark Henry Jul 5 2014, 12:28 PM

They are only 5-1/2" I believe real ones are 6". They will be pressure cast alunimum, likely better than old mag but heavy.
Have them checked to make sure they are true, suppose to be 19mm backspace.
CIP is OK to deal with, but make sure they are checked out fully ASAP as some of these wheels have been off and the longer you have them the bigger PITA returns are.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=573516&start=0

Posted by: al weidman Jul 5 2014, 12:53 PM

QUOTE(Mark Henry @ Jul 5 2014, 11:28 AM)

Posted by: mskala Jul 5 2014, 01:00 PM

Mahle gasburners are 5.5 x 15 ET42. Same offset as all the 5.5 x 15 choices.

I actually wanted to check my memory, this info is in the parts diagrams.

Posted by: mepstein Jul 5 2014, 01:53 PM

Rick. Is this car for you to hold on to or sell. If it's a keeper, buy repros with tires you want to drive. If it's a project to bring back to orig, buy the real thing. I've seen plentry of sets for 2k or could be worked down to that price. Personally I think the real ones are worth buying. My feeling is they will increase in price

Posted by: rick 918-S Jul 5 2014, 05:55 PM

Thanks guys. I saw a set for sale but can't bring myself to cough up that kind of dough right now. I think I may just wait and shop for a deal later. Not like I need them right now anyway.

Posted by: Johny Blackstain Jul 5 2014, 06:37 PM

If I was doing a narrow body restoration, or a 5 lug conversion on a narrow four, 5 lug gas burners would be my 1st choice, period. However a 5.5" width limits them to narrow body only. Anything w/ flares would just not look right using genuine gas burners. Wider aftermarket repros would be something to consider in that situation, both depending on the quality & weight of the rim. Original 5 lug Mahles are still one of the lightest wheels ever made.

Posted by: brant Jul 5 2014, 07:35 PM

I agree. 5.5 stock

We used to not pay any notice because 6 inch wides were then readily available out on the track

Posted by: 914Sixer Jul 6 2014, 06:04 AM

I am planning to use the black 4 bolt version of these wheels for the 75. They should look good in keeping with the black 914 trim of the 914.