How to figure out offset and bolt pattern

[Dfgjerkg]

I have 02' Golf and am buying my first set of rims for my car. I am putting
225/40/18 on and think the bolt pattern is the same. But if I wanted to find out what bolt pattern came stock on my car and the offset of the rims I am buying from a private seller who does'nt know , is there a simple way to figure this out when I go to look at them? Thanks

 

[novaderrik]

measure the distance between opposing studs on your car, and measure the wheels.. also check the hub diameter- i think VW used a different hub diameter than other vehicles with the same bolt pattern for some reason. you can measure the backspacing with a straight edge and a tape measure... or just take the car, pop a wheel off, and see if it fits and clears everything..

 

[49-blues]

When you measure the studs-you go from outside edge to center of the stud skipping the stud in between, jegs or summits have a diagram on this or you could look at their website.