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Has anyone played around with the tire size like this before?
Hello everyone, I don't intend on starting another tire size thread, and I am aware of AWD tolerances and Quattro's 4/32 max tread difference. I'm starting this thread because I can't find another like it on nearly any forum, but has anybody attempted to run different size RIMS on the front vs. the back?
Hear me out. I have a set of 22 inch rotor replicas which I cannot find replacements for, and two have become unusable. Prior to even buying this set of wheels, I always wondered how this car (with the broad rear quarter panels) would look running 21 inch rims up front and 22 in the rear.
The tires I have on are 265/35r22 and they work well, about 1 inch larger than stock diameter but enough tire to run 22s and maintain surprisingly good ride quality. A 265/40r21 shows a near zero percent difference in size. Actually, the difference in size is so small there's only one extra revolution per mile with the 21s and one millimeter difference between the two. This difference is smaller and closer in size than most stock AWD staggered setups, potentially even a smaller difference than running mismatched tire brands on the front and rear. You may even be able to compensate for this with tire pressure. The width of the front wheels would remain the same as the rear and the weight within 10 percent.
All that being said, I am tossing around the idea of running two 21 inch S8 Rotors up front on the 265/40r21 tires, and these 22 inch rotors in the rear wrapped in the 265/35s. Has anybody tried this before?
I'll attach a picture of the current 22s, and if anybody has two beat-up 21 inch rotors (I'd have to refinish and color match anyway) they'd sell for this project, let me know. Thanks in advance!
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Is it worth it to you for the money you'll spend refinishing and getting it set up, all for the small visible difference? ...and considering that you'll limit your ability to rotate tires.
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If so, go for it.
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Is it worth it to you for the money you'll spend refinishing and getting it set up, all for the small visible difference? ...and considering that you'll limit your ability to rotate tires.
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If so, go for it.
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I am not too concerned about the costs associated, not to say I'm made of money, but the thicker tire up front and quicker wear without rotation would likely even out with less cracked rims/bubbled tires running the 22s up front.
Also, considering I am in love with the look of these rotors, it would allow me to purchase only two rims and tires for the front, as well as retaining a full size spare. I'd probably have kept the 22s all around if not for the trouble I'm having with obtaining 2 replacements.
As long as this setup would not harm the AWD system long term, I think this setup would be different and interesting to run. Thanks for the reply.
Like you said the awd system only cares about overall diameter. If they are within 3% of each other you should have no issues running 2 different sizes that have the same diameter.