wheel shopper

I have a 99 1.8tsm FWD which I have lowered about 2&1/3 inches front 1&2/3 back. I was trying now to decide on what series tires to get. I think I've made up my mind after visiting ronal's site yesterday about the R-28. They (if you don't know) are 17x8.5 and go for $875 according to Ronal's list on A4.org The thing in question for me is whether or not to dish out the extra cash to go 235/40 rather than 235/45? Will it give me a nicer lower look or not really. Also with performance, how much of a different will I notice? Any feedback is welcome and appreciated<p>TIA

G. Hale

I would guess the performance increase would be very slight. However, the appearance of 235/40 on an 8.5" wheel looks better IMO. The 225's are just too narrow for that wide of a wheel. In fact, I considered getting 245/40 this past tire purchase, but the HTR Z-II that I got were not made in that size. I'm running Projektzwo's 17" x 8.5" with 235/40. Even the 235's seem a little narrow on the 8.5" wheel to me, plus the 245/40 would be closer to stock diameter and not throw the speedo off as bad. The 235/40 show 2mph faster than actual speed at 60mph.... Speedo indicates ~62 mph.

Mike Zamarocy

I am running Toyo T1+ in 235/40/17 and LOVE them. And they work quite well on the track too. But I would worry about going to 245/40 tires, as my 235/40 just barely clear the upper control arm in the front.

G. Hale

I would definitely want to try them before installing them. I haven't noticed the upper control arm, but it would be close as far as the top of the tire to the bottom of the strut tower. I just have a little clearance there, but I don't think the 245 would be that much taller or wider. The width difference is only .4", and half of that would be on the outside, so .2" increase toward the inner part of the wheel, and height at the top of the tire would only be increased by .15".<p>Like I said though, I would want to try it before buying four tires in that size.

Mr. L

Well, since your car is lowered so much, I dont' know if you can go with the 235 tires at all, you may have to stick with 225 from what I've heard. I could be wrong about this, but I'm pretty sure I heard you can't fit 235s on A4s lowered more than stock sport.<br> If that's the case, you really don't want the R28 wheels since having 225s on the 8.5 inch rims looks pretty silly (I have them). Check out the new Ronal R7, they are only 8" wide, so 225s would look fine.<p>

James R.

Though I've heard Steve S. suggest that the Dunlop SP9000 will covere the lip in a 225 size. And I've looked at the Pirelli P-Zero Assimetrico on a Porsche 911 at work, and I'm certain these would cover the lip in a major way...that tire has a flat shelf like section along the bead which I'm certain would completely cover the R-28's lip...then and only then would I be completely satisfied with my wheels.<p>BTW - Aside from the lip issues it's a damn cool rim...looks really sharp...is super easy to clean...yadda yadda yadda...Gary get them to make the 8 inch...and the 18" dia, I'd buy a new set.