Jim C

With 225/40/18 Tires on, anyone with problems with the tire hitting hte rear sway bar?

Vijay

I know people have had problems with rubbing if they lower more than an inch with springs alone. You *may* be okay if you lower with a stiff coilover, but more than likely, you'll still need to roll your fenders a little. Go with an 8" inch wheel if you want to be safe.

Another Drew

It's the offset and the width of the TIRE not the rim that matters. The offset determines how far the wheel sits inside the wheel well. A smaller offset will push the wheels further out towards fender lips. I've got 225/40/18 on 8.5 with no rubbing at all.<p>Andrew Lee
'00 S4
Photos: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/hwaandrewlee
<a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=1061">Registry

Vijay

The offset and tire size are also a major considerations, but given the tight constraints of the S4 in terms of space, with the wheels being so close to the suspension components to begin with, much of the extra width of a wider wheel will go towards the outer side of the car. Thus, overall width is important as well. One of the main reasons you don't have rubbing on your car is the stiff nature of your suspension set-up which probably really minimizes any body roll during cornering. Also, How much have you lowered the car? My point was not that 8.5" wheels wouldn't work. Obviously they do -many people are using them. My point was that if you lower too much and/or your suspension isn't stiff enough, you will rub on harder cornering, with certain 8.5" set-ups. You do not have to be as careful using an 8" wheel of an appropriate offset, that will sit farther inside the wheel well.

BostonAudiTuning

This was with OZ F1's. If you are going to lower you might want to use this combination. 18x8.5" will probably work with 225-40's with mild lowering and obviously with a stock suspension.

Another Drew

Vijay, this post isn't directed to you since I know that you know your stuff about tire/wheel combos since I've seen your posts before.

I think all the rubbing issues is with the tread edge of the tires rubbing the fender or the uplink. I have yet to hear of any rubbing at the bead or sidewalls of the tires, which is where the rim-width may contribute to the rubbing.

There's only two numbers that determine where the tire tread edge sits relative to the car (assuming the diameter of the tire is kept very close to stock). 1) Width of the tire 2) offset. Nothing else. The rim width doesn't place the tread any further out or in the wheelwell, just how far apart the tire BEADS sit. The rim width doesn't affect where edge of the treads sit at all.

The stiffness or amount of lowering is only going to affect how much suspension travel is needed to get rubbing. If the tire/wheel combo doesn't rub with full range of motion of the suspension, you can go as low as possible and as soft as possible and you'll never rub.<p>Andrew Lee
'00 S4
Photos: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/hwaandrewlee
<a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=1061">Registry

Jim C

I am more concerned about the tire/wheel hitting the rear Sway Bar on the side of the wheel well...If you will notice that the swaybar is right there and with a 18x8.5 40 offset, I am concerned that it may hit the sway bar, not the fenders.

Another Drew

If you'd like, I can take some measurements with 225/40/18s and 18X8.5. I can measure how much clearance I have and give you the offset that I'm running right now.

I can't take the measurements until this weekend though. I don't have my 18s on right now. I've got one in the shop that I'm waiting for.<p>Andrew Lee
'00 S4
Photos: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/hwaandrewlee
<a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=1061">Registry

ChrisH

18 X 8.5 with 235/35's and no problems

Vijay

I think we both mean the same thing...just stated somewhat differently