2006A3!

What is the widest wheel/wire combo that I can EASILY fit in a stock A3. I would like 18" diameter but width and offset I am not sure. I am more concerned with performance than looks, which is why I want wider wheels/tires for more rubber on the road.

Skyler@Achtuning.com

with 225 width tires, you might be able to do 235s if you could find something around an 8.0" ET50 wheel.

JimR

<center><img src="http://images42.fotki.com/v1320/photos/7/77755/6596122/A3Wheel-vi.jpg"></center><p>From my stock BBS CH's on my A3.

7.5x18 ET54

I'm sure Skyler's fitments will work as well, if you want to go wider and/or bigger diameter.

2006A3!

okay so would I be able to do an 8" wheel in front and something wider in the back or do a3's generally use all four of the same wheels all around because it's FWD? I really like those turbo style wheels on the hartmann website but it doesn't list them as being available for A3's.

panzrwagn

That's fact. If you're interested in performance, the biggest tire you can put on an A3 with a performance suspension is a 235/40-17 on 50mm offset rims or keep the height at 25.5" to the top of the fender opening.

45mm offset rims are 9-11mm farther to the outside and even with trim screw removed will rub.

If you're interested in performance, then also pay attention to the weight of the tire-wheel package. OZ Ultraleggeras 18s weigh 18.5lbs. Most aftermarket wheels weigh 24-25lbs and that's huge for handling.

Do not do 'staggers' for any reason. They will make your car understeer/push/plow horribly. They are for posers only.

235/40-18s are also taller than the stock tires by .6", and will reduce acceleration and throw off your speedometer by a couple percentage points.

The 'best' summer performance tire on the market currently is the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec. It's great for autocross and in the dry, good in rain, but like all performance tires, hardens up and gets scary below 45 degrees, and because of the stiff sidewalls (that help make the handling great) they ride rough and they are noisy. Michelin Pilot Sports, Yoko Advans, Bridgestone RE-01r and Falken Azenis ST-615 are also very good, but all are more expensive.

That's why most people are better served by a good all-season tire, or having 2 sets of tires/wheels, a battery powered impact wrench and a racing jack. I can swap wheels in my driveway in less time than it takes to drive to a tire store.

2006A3!

thanks for all the info, I appreciate the knowledge.

tpliquid

with screw removed it will rub until the fender lining has been rubbed away. after that there will be no rubbing.

I am running 18x8 ET 38 225/40/18 NO rubbing at all.

I also ran 235/40/18 on ET43 before i went 225. No rubbing after the liner been rubbed away.