Alloy width and offset 18"

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Ryanc

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Looking at a set of alloys for my s3,
there 18" x 7.5".I remember glen saying that 18 x 8 would be better but would it make alot of difference?Also what sort of offset do i need?
 
How much of a compromise is 7.5 x 18 though?
 
ryan
what car do you have?
i cant imagine 225's fitting well on 7.5's.
and for what reason would you go for 7.5 over 8 x 18?
 
Just seen some really cheap 18" alloys that are very lightweight but there 7.5" probably best go for with 8"
 
[ QUOTE ]
Looking at a set of alloys for my s3,
there 18" x 7.5".I remember glen saying that 18 x 8 would be better but would it make alot of difference?Also what sort of offset do i need?

[/ QUOTE ]

Glen recommends the 7.5" over the 8" width for 18" wheels Ryan /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
 
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Looking at a set of alloys for my s3,
there 18" x 7.5".I remember glen saying that 18 x 8 would be better but would it make alot of difference?Also what sort of offset do i need?

[/ QUOTE ]

Glen recommends the 7.5" over the 8" width for 18" wheels Ryan /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif

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which is why jojo has his 19"s /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

i guess you'd have to put in spacers if they were ET33/35 and only 7.5 to fill the arches. but i bow to glen's far superior knowledge on the handling of the S3?
 
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which is why jojo has his 19"s /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


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I always liked my car to look good /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

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i guess you'd have to put in spacers if they were ET33/35 and only 7.5 to fill the arches. but i bow to glen's far superior knowledge on the handling of the S3?

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He is running spacers aswell /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
 
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Glen recommends the 7.5" over the 8" width for 18" wheels Ryan /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif

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Am I the Glen you speak of?

If so, I don't suggest 7.5s over 8s...
I DO suggest 8s over 8.5s though.

I found 8" wide 18" wheels to be perfect...8.5 can cause more tramlining etc...
 
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i cant imagine 225's fitting well on 7.5's.


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Why?
The standard tyres are 225s, on 7.5" wide wheels...


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and for what reason would you go for 7.5 over 8 x 18?

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Fitment...?
Weight...?

For a 225 tyre though, I'd probably look for an 8" wider wheel.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Looking at a set of alloys for my s3,
there 18" x 7.5".I remember glen saying that 18 x 8 would be better but would it make alot of difference?


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes...and no.
7.5" wide will be lighter, and less likely to cause tramlining etc...

But, a 225 tyre may be a shade too wide to keep the tyre square on the rim on an 18" wheel...
On a 17" wheel the sidewall flex lets the tyre move about a bit...
On an 18" wheel, this will be less...but the tyre probably won't sit quite so square...which will allow a small amount of lateral movement.

Although...this will probably be so small, it's hardly noticable.


Another option I have considered, is to drop to a 215 wide tyre on a 7.5" wheel...the S3 is over-tyred anyway (in my view) so a slightly narrower tyre would (and should) add response and adjustablilty...
But, I'm unsure of the insurance implications of fitting narrower tyres.

A 215 on a 7.5" rim should be great...and light. But, i've never tried it.


[ QUOTE ]

Also what sort of offset do i need?

[/ QUOTE ]

Anything in the ET35 area will be fine.

You can then tailor from there with spacers, if you wish.
 
glen - glad you took the time too clear that up. once again! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

i have read quite a few of your previous post and couldnt recall you recommending 7.5 and you had mentioned 225's sideflex etc as above but i realise my statement on 225 fitment on 7;5 isnt correct now, its the peformance rather than fitting aspect that lets them down - live and learn /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I went for 8 over 8.5 like rich's because of your recommendations amongst other things. But jojo is usually so spot on so thought i'd missed something!!:)

would 215's be within tolerance for speedo with 45 profile?

cheers again and i guess we are looking to hear from anyone who has run 215's on an S3.
 
[ QUOTE ]
glen - glad you took the time too clear that up. once again! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


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No problem...


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would 215's be within tolerance for speedo with 45 profile?


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Yeah...I'd guess so.
The standard speedo is about 3MPH out anywhere anyhow...it'll be slightly further out with 215s fitted...but only slightly.


[ QUOTE ]

cheers again and i guess we are looking to hear from anyone who has run 215's on an S3.

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I've never heard of anyone.

Too many people fit the widest wheel and ytre possible because of the looks...so it's unlikely anyone will have gone narrower on the tyre width.



I have previously...but not on my S3.
I used to run 6" x 15" Enkai wheels with 180 wide competition tryes on my Integra Type-R, on the track.

215/40/16s on a 7"x16" wheel for the road.

The 180 wide trye (and stickier compound) was far better on the track, more adjustable, more feel etc...
 
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Glen recommends the 7.5" over the 8" width for 18" wheels Ryan /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Am I the Glen you speak of?

If so, I don't suggest 7.5s over 8s...
I DO suggest 8s over 8.5s though.

I found 8" wide 18" wheels to be perfect...8.5 can cause more tramlining etc...

[/ QUOTE ]

My apologies, I'm having an off day /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
so just to confirm what tyres should i run on the 7.5 x18" alloys;
215/40/18 or 214/45/18?
 
[ QUOTE ]
so just to confirm what tyres should i run on the 7.5 x18" alloys;
215/40/18 or 214/45/18?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm...
215/40/18 will be fine with regard to sitting on the rim square, and giving decent feel / ride comfort whilst improving handling...

214? I presume a typo? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

215/45/18...no advantage. The idea of going up to 18s is to take advantage of the lower sidewall aspect ratio, whilst maintaining the same rolling radius


Please, please, check the insurance implications of using narrower tyres though...before you buy.

If unsure, just stick with 225/40/18s as these are still within the recommended size for a 7.5" wide wheel.

What make of tyre are you considering?
I think you may struggle to find a good choice in 215/40/18 anyway...
 
Ditched that idea now glen,just have to find myself a decent set of 8 x 18" alloys that are lightweight and of good quality probably oz or bbs for a decent price....not that easy.
 
A set of 8 x 18" compomotive mo alloys are pretty resonable and have been used in competition,not as light as bbs or oz but no doubt pretty strong.
What do you reckon a set of white ones on a imola s3?need photoshop!
 
Hi,
The wheel offset confuses me slightly i am after all only an electrician.
How does the offset affect the car only 33/35 has been mentioned i'm running my S3 on
ET 32 8x18's is there any problem with this.
Thanks Merdock
 
merdock - there is a sticky at the top of the handling forum which explains things quite well
cheers
ian
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi,
The wheel offset confuses me slightly i am after all only an electrician.
How does the offset affect the car only 33/35 has been mentioned i'm running my S3 on
ET 32 8x18's is there any problem with this.
Thanks Merdock

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't worry about it Merdock,

All the best dressed S3s have 8x18s with ET32 wheels! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Are yours the BBS RSIIs that TTs use?
They look like it from the photo...
If so, they are the same wheel I was using.

As long as the offset is 30-35 you'll be just fine...and no adverse affects on the handling.

Basically, the offset is how far the wheel sticks inwards (or outwards) in relation to the hub.
Go too far out, and you can get odd handling traits...but you can also get these by going too wide.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ditched that idea now glen,just have to find myself a decent set of 8 x 18" alloys that are lightweight and of good quality probably oz or bbs for a decent price....not that easy.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, not easy...
A single piece BBS or OZ Superlaggera would be the lightest choice...

After that, a multi piece BBS...

Then the rest...(then heavy replicas!)
 
[ QUOTE ]
A set of 8 x 18" compomotive mo alloys are pretty resonable and have been used in competition,not as light as bbs or oz but no doubt pretty strong.


[/ QUOTE ]

Undoubtedly very strong...

But:
My mate had a set of 7" x 15"s on his Golf...they weighed more (lots more) than my 7" x 18" BBS RSIIs!!

That's the trouble with Rally wheels...very strong...but very heavy.


[ QUOTE ]

What do you reckon a set of white ones on a imola s3?need photoshop!

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I'm not sure it would look great.
The S3 doesn't tend itself to the rally look, in my opinion...cross spokes (BBS) seem fine...but the car seems too smooth to take well to wheels like the MO, in my view.
 
I know what you mean glen,to classy to be a like a escort cossy or evo.I'll have to keep my eyes open for a set of bbs/oz at a good price.
weight;
Audi S4 Avus Cast 17x7.5 28.0(same as s3?)
Compomotive MO Cast 18x8 26.4
BBS CH Cast 18x8 24.0
BBS LM Forged/Spun 18x8 21.6
BBS RC Cast (soft) 18x8 19.5
BBS RSII Forged/Forged 18x8.5 24.0
BBS RX Cast 18x8 24.2
BBS RXII Cast/Spun 18x8.5 26.3
OZ Superleggera Cast 18x8 17.6
OZ F1 Cup Cast 18x8 25.3
OZ Superturismo Cast 18x8 26.0
Team Dynamics Motorsport Cast 18x8 24.0
Team Dynamics Visage Forged 18x8 17.4
Sounds like the oz superlegga are the lightest cast.
 
you can get oz superleggera with Goodyear F1 GSD3's in 18s for about £1200 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif see my recent post and they do come with centre caps /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I added on mcguards and flush mount valves.
I still get out my car and turn round and give them a good look /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
But BBS CH's are very nice too.
I decided on the lightest wheel i liked /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif and psychologically if not in reality (see disussion in my post) they feel faster too /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I think choosing aftermarket wheels was harder than chosing the car i bought!!:)
 
[ QUOTE ]
weight;
Audi S4 Avus Cast 17x7.5 28.0(same as s3?)
Compomotive MO Cast 18x8 26.4
BBS CH Cast 18x8 24.0
BBS LM Forged/Spun 18x8 21.6
BBS RC Cast (soft) 18x8 19.5
BBS RSII Forged/Forged 18x8.5 24.0
BBS RX Cast 18x8 24.2
BBS RXII Cast/Spun 18x8.5 26.3
OZ Superleggera Cast 18x8 17.6
OZ F1 Cup Cast 18x8 25.3
OZ Superturismo Cast 18x8 26.0
Team Dynamics Motorsport Cast 18x8 24.0
Team Dynamics Visage Forged 18x8 17.4
Sounds like the oz superlegga are the lightest cast.

[/ QUOTE ]

You also have to consider strength...or more specifically, design strength vs weight vs the roads you drive on, and at what speed.

A friend of mine broke a Superleggera after hitting a pothole...completely wrecked the wheel.

I bent a front strut on my last Golf GTI after hitting a pothole...I was running 205/40/17 tyres and 7.5" x 17" BBS RXs at the time. The resulting check revealed 0.04mm deflection on the BBS wheel AFTER bending and wrecking a coilover strut!

We have bad roads up here...BBS last if you hit them hard.
Some of the lighter wheels don't.

BBS RX are a VERY strong wheel...


Another example:
24087790-635b-02000180-.jpg


This is an Enkai wheel from my old Integra Type-R.
It was featherlight...16lbs for a 7" x 16" wheel...

Not too strong though...as you can see!


I really like the Superleggeras...but I'd be concerned of their lifespan on the roads I drive, at the speeds I drive and with the driving style I have.
 
can i ask what tyre widths are needed on

18x8.0 and 18x8.5 to keep the tyres square rather than stretched

thanks
 
i'm against the stretched look as of today!

Was up at local hospital and had a big dump truck trying to squeeze past me in the opposite direction at well over the specified 10mph and i clipped kerb. I parked up fearing the worst of my new wheels and nothing!! Not a scratch!! The rim protectors must have been what i heard rubbing or saved my wheels!!

So on 18x8 i recommend F1's in 225/40/18!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ok.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
can i ask what tyre widths are needed on

18x8.0 and 18x8.5 to keep the tyres square rather than stretched

thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

What's needed and what'll fit are different...many will fit, with a variation in width of approx 50mm.

As for what will fit squarest and offer - in my view - the best handling...
Probably a 225 on a 8" wheel...
And 235 or perhaps 245 on an 8.5" wheel.

The trouble is, not all tyres are equally as wide for the stated size...they can differ by as much as 10mm.
A Toyo 215/40/16 for instance, could only be 208mm accross the tread...whereas a Pirelli 225/40/18 could be 232mm accross the tread (not exact figures...just examples)

I guess you have to use judgememt when selecting wheels and tyres...
 
I'm with you Iain! i've been running 225's on 8.5's for 2 years now, it was a phase i ran through more tires scrapping the kerb than wearing out!

looks like i'll be getting some 8.5's again now i'm thinking tyres 245/40/18 fit much better and the rim protectors will do their job

yep F1's definently had some toyos they are so soft they fell apart on my commute bits chipping off easy, but then they were stretched /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gifops:

f1's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ok.gif
 
woah! thats a lot of variation to keep in mind, i want a square as i can fit i'll try 245's as you suggest Ess_three

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
 
So maybe the 18 x8 compomotive mo's are worth a look in silver?There lighter than stock 17" avus and undoubtably strong.
 
[ QUOTE ]
woah! thats a lot of variation to keep in mind, i want a square as i can fit i'll try 245's as you suggest Ess_three

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif

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No, no, no...
Not a suggestion specifically for an S3.

A 245 may fit a 8.5" wider wheel better...but 245 is WAY too wide for an S3.


The S3 is overtyred on 225s, as far as I'm concerned, the chassis is already numb and adding wider tyres will do nothing for the handling.
There is already too much grip to make the car adjustable, on the standard 225s...adding 245s won't add any grip (as there's am excess of grip to start with) it'll just kill the handling even more, making it tramline more, bump steer more, make the steering more numb...horrible!

The answer - although I'm sure you don't want to hear it - it not to fit 8.5" wide wheels...it's to stick to 8.0" wide...and run the narrower tyres!
225s on an 8" rim sit square, and the rim protector does it's job....
 
[ QUOTE ]
So maybe the 18 x8 compomotive mo's are worth a look in silver?There lighter than stock 17" avus and undoubtably strong.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would think so...
What offset?


How about grey?
 
As i understand it the reason for going for 8.5s is the look of filling the arches? especially the rear on the s3. If this is the case, gets 8's and 225's and fit spacers to achieve the look. Quite a few people have gone down this route Ess_three (glen) included.

although if your reason for 8.5's is that the wheel only comes in that size, well the slightly stretched look it is for you! eg the lovelyACE wheels richa3turbo got.
 
colours they do;
White (MOW)
Silver (MOS)
Red (MOR)
Blue (MOB)
Yellow (MOY)
Gold (MOG)
Anthracite (Dark Grey) (MOA)
i'll have to get a copy of photoshop.
bbs's are nice ,probably go for the rc's if i could but are well pricey.
set of comp's is £700+tyres.
 
what colour is your car?

i like anthracite for the fact that you dont have to clean them as much /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif lazy git that i am.
but in the summer sun a set of clean silver cant be beat /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

i think on robbies leon they do look the biz /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ok.gif
 
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