this topic has been hashed many times over the years and there is plenty of info in the archives.   passat/ audi wheels have been used by many for years on the vanagon with no more disasters than the 14" vanagon stock alloy wheel itself.   i have been running audi (passat) since the mid 90's on my vanagons.   dont let the folks scare you off.  if you can get the wheels at a decent price and get machining done at a decent price, buy them.  

i usually stay out of these threads because too many people talk isht about something they've never tried themselves and the end result is always the same thing, a pissing match... 

these are usually the same folks who will drop a grand or more on some "go westy" wheels and tires which are basically aftermarket mercedes knock offs. 

if you want to know more, feel free to p-mail me 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Davis <panoptagon@TELUS.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Fri, May 7, 2010 5:41 pm
Subject: Center Bore Machining.

I am in the market for new rims and tires. I would really love to use 
Passat 5 double spoke rims but I am a little hesitant to use wheels 
that need to have their center hole machined. Does anyone on the list 
have any idea about this? Is it dangerous? The passat rims have a 
57.1 mm center hole. 
 
Thanks again, 
 
Jeff