ownly

i just bought some wheels.

the Oettinger Type E in 17"

the wheel is 8" wide as opposed to 7.5" for the S3 ones, and they also have an offset of 35 as opposed to 38 for the S3 ones...

the dealership is recommending 235-40-17 for the new ones as per the 8" width

is that correct ? will it rub on the fenders ?

thanx to all

ravenx

But 235/40 ZR 17 doesn't look to be the most suitable to me (this is 2.3% off the mark).

The S3 has 225/45 ZR 17 as standard and the two close variants of this size are

255/40 ZR 17 and 255/35 ZR 18 (both 0.2% of the mark)<ul><li><a href="http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi">Tire Size Info</a></li></ul>

Robant

Hi,

Standard S3 wheels have a offset of 32 mm. So with your Oettinger wheels the track will be 6 mm less. The rim will be on the outside 3.35 mm wider, on the inside 9.35.
I've heard that there is 15 mm extra space in the wheelfender for wider wheels, so no problem at all (with 225-45).
235-40-17 is far to small: 1891 mm, standard is 1934 mm (225-45-17)
Option is 255-40-17 (1940 mm), wheel will be then 3.35 + 15 = 18.35 wider outside and 9.35 + 15 = 24.35 wider inside, you have to try if this fits.

Hope it helps,

Robert

ownly

now i have to call to cancel my order for those..

hmmmm, 255-40-17 ????

will they fit ???

or should i stay in 225-45-17 ?

AudidudeNZ

the correct tyre size for a 17 inch rim on the S3/A3/A4 etc is 225/45-17. This is very close to the original spec rolling diameter.

You could go to 235/45 but I wouldn't use 235/40 - the profile is too low and the arches would look a little underfilled.

Check out the url to compare various sizes - 225/40/17 is 0.3% bigger whereas 235/40 is nearly 2% out (too small), 235/45 is 1.8% too big

There is no advantage going from 225 to 235 IMHO - wider isn't necessarily better and in fact reduces grip in the wet and on gravel. You are also less likely to run into problems with it hitting guards etc. My A4 on 235s hit the guard and bent it slightly.

225s will go very well onto an 8 inch rim.

Dealers and tyre suppliers often try and push tyres at you they have in stock or can get easily.

What rubber ownly?

Cheers<ul><li><a href="http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html">http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html</a</li></ul>

AudidudeNZ

Stay with 225-45-17 IMNSHO - visually the car is close to over-tyred as standard

IJ

..on 17X8 wheels! 225/45 17 stretch nicely over 17X8 rims which mean a superior ride quality and nice/precise steering. I have those on 17X8 and will never swap for any others!
IJ
99A31.8T(190bhp)

ownly

Did you keep the P6000 ?

i hate those tyres but i cannot believe how much handling i get from them, i've had and driven those on other cars as standard tyres and really never liked them and the first thing i wanted to do was to get real sport tyres but on the mighty S3 i scared myself ****eless with amount of handling.

i know i'll be going for Pilot Sport or S02 next but for now. . . i really am in no hurry

O/...

AudidudeNZ

Mine came with Michelin MXX3 - very good in dry, ok in wet

IJ

I use ContiSport, nice all around wet/dry etc.