DP

If Sport Pkg Wheels offset is ET45, why everybody is putting ET35 aftermarket wheels?

Dakota Bill

Because most aftermarket wheels are wider. You need a different offset to keep the wheel centerline in the same plane.

Reggie

between the offset and the wheel width you will find that the wheel is pushed out more than just the extra wheel width. Some wheels like the A! SL run a offset of ET32 yet are only 8" in width. My guess is that the mfrs pick a offset that is made for many cars and do not specifically design the wheel for Audi alone. This not to say that the offsets selected do not work on the A4 - only that they may not be optimum.

Reggie

98.5 30vQMS with ET 40 17x7.5" wheels

-|-

A!AvantGarde makes products specifically for Audi, so out goes your theory on their ET 32 SLs

HJB

By defintion ET is the mounting offset from the wheel centerline, so to keep the centerline on the same plane you MUST run the OEM ET45. I agree ET35 is a compromise the Mfgs used to reduce inventory. But most people just want wider and like the look of ET35 (wheel sticks out farther).

No Big Deal

Difference betwen ET35 and ET45 is only a measly 10mm. That's around 3/8". If clearance is _that_ tight, or if the wheel bearings can't take the minor amount of extra load, then we shouldn't be puting bigger tires on _at all_!

HJB

anytime you increase that radius, you degrade straight line tracking. The front end tends to be more twitchy. This is good for fast response (auto-x) but bad for comfortable street driving.

Reggie

width.

ET32 8"width = 1.05"
ET34 8.5" width = 1.22"