9.5 tires

[JHousyS4]

I love the stock S4 rims, but i'd like fatter tires. Can i put 9.5 on my s4 rims? Maybe 9''? I would like this alot

-thanks

[I am armed]

That would be quite the stretch man. Im going to say no, not possible to stretch that much. I beleive the stock width is what, 7.5"? However, I could be wrong...wait for more response...

[SilverA4Fun]

OEM Avus wheels are 17x7.5. Some people run 235s on their rims. After that you can run into sidewall issues.

[EVIL-AUDI]

9 is the biggest you can go. 9.5+ won't fit.

[Imperial]

I've got 18x8 with 235/40/18 tires and am running 10mm spacers so they don't rub. 9.5" is just too wide for the B5....

[SuperbSantorin4]

9.5 wheel width with a 255 tire has been done before in the rear, but with extremely beefy rear suspension(1100lb springs). But you are asking for trouble if your trying to run it on your car period, let alone on a stock tire which wont work. stick with 235 all around.

[EuroTall]

Originally posted by SuperbSantorin4
9.5 wheel width with a 255 tire has been done before in the rear, but with extremely beefy rear suspension(1100lb springs). But you are asking for trouble if your trying to run it on your car period, let alone on a stock tire which wont work. stick with 235 all around.

Why 235? ...I thought 225 is the widest or it will rub, as Imperial just mentioned that he has to run 10mm spacers to accomodate his 235 tires.

Anyone having rubbing issues with 235 WITHOUT any spacers ?

Also Spacers are not supposed to be good for the Quattro drive I heard...anyone know any details on that...I just remember reading this before somewhere.

[SuperbSantorin4]

I dont know what wheel hes running, but Imperial is running a 235/40 thats why he needs spacers. He can run 235/35 and be fine. For example my front tires are a 225/40, if you want to keep the side wall you have to go down on width to prevent from rubbing(atleast in the case of my toyo t1s). Also remember that each tire is different, so a falken 245 may fit, but a kumho 225 may not, depending on tire width and side wall(although the sizes are the same). This is why you should first talk to your tire shop and make sure things are going to work out fine, tirerack does a good job with helping out with such issues.

Spacers don't mess anything up, it is more preference. I personally dont like using spacers b/c you have to use a longer bolt and may be more stress put on them. But alot of people run them for looks or to prevent rubbing, or even to line up with wide body kits with no problems at all.

[EuroTall]

Originally posted by SuperbSantorin4
I dont know what wheel hes running, but Imperial is running a 235/40 thats why he needs spacers. He can run 235/35 and be fine. For example my front tires are a 225/40, if you want to keep the side wall you have to go down on width to prevent from rubbing(atleast in the case of my toyo t1s). Also remember that each tire is different, so a falken 245 may fit, but a kumho 225 may not, depending on tire width and side wall(although the sizes are the same). This is why you should first talk to your tire shop and make sure things are going to work out fine, tirerack does a good job with helping out with such issues.

Spacers don't mess anything up, it is more preference. I personally dont like using spacers b/c you have to use a longer bolt and may be more stress put on them. But alot of people run them for looks or to prevent rubbing, or even to line up with wide body kits with no problems at all.

thanks
good info

[OverSpun]

Originally posted by SuperbSantorin4
I dont know what wheel hes running, but Imperial is running a 235/40 thats why he needs spacers. He can run 235/35 and be fine. For example my front tires are a 225/40, if you want to keep the side wall you have to go down on width to prevent from rubbing(atleast in the case of my toyo t1s). Also remember that each tire is different, so a falken 245 may fit, but a kumho 225 may not, depending on tire width and side wall(although the sizes are the same). This is why you should first talk to your tire shop and make sure things are going to work out fine, tirerack does a good job with helping out with such issues.

Spacers don't mess anything up, it is more preference. I personally dont like using spacers b/c you have to use a longer bolt and may be more stress put on them. But alot of people run them for looks or to prevent rubbing, or even to line up with wide body kits with no problems at all.

he uses spacers because he is on oem forged S8 wheels, they stick in a lot like S4 wheels do if you go without spacers, not to mention that they probably wouldnt fit with those tires.

[EuroTall]

Originally posted by OverSpun
he uses spacers because he is on oem forged S8 wheels, they stick in a lot like S4 wheels do if you go without spacers, not to mention that they probably wouldnt fit with those tires.

Now I'm lost again.
If you use spacers then doesnt the ET increase in number ?

if I have 45ET offset now and use 10 mm spacer, that brings my TOtal ET to 55mm right?
making the HUB of the wheel stick out more.
What am I missing?

[SuperbSantorin4]

"he uses spacers because he is on oem forged S8 wheels, they stick in a lot like S4 wheels do if you go without spacers, not to mention that they probably wouldnt fit with those tires."

Yeah I'm not too familiar with the S8 wheels so I couldn't tell about tire sizing. S8 wheels are wider from what I've heard so a different size tire might work. If the offsets are compatible with the s4 than no spacer is needed and he is using the spacer b/c his size 40 side wall tire is what is causing the rubbing. once again the 40 sidewall on a 235 would cause rubbing on my s4 with an 18inch wheel.

"Now I'm lost again.
If you use spacers then doesnt the ET increase in number ?

if I have 45ET offset now and use 10 mm spacer, that brings my TOtal ET to 55mm right?
making the HUB of the wheel stick out more.
What am I missing?"

Here I'll try and help clearify the whole wheel offset ordeal and spacers.

The offset of the wheel is the distance from the mounting surface to the center of the wheel. A postive offset will bring the wheel/tire more IN TO the fender. and a negitive offset will be inside the center line of the wheel meaning it will stick the wheel/tire OUTmore.

So our usual offset of +35mm is outside of the center line of the wheel/barrel, meaning less lip/ and more clearence for big brake kits. A +32mm offset would not clear for example on a B5 s4 because it is 3mm closer to the center of the wheel which would hit the caliper.

So you question "if I have 45ET offset now and use 10 mm spacer, that brings my TOtal ET to 55mm right?"

This is wrong, if you were to have +45mm offset and added a 10mm spacer you would reach +35mm offset. because u are going closer to the center line of the barrel/wheel.

However remember custom wheels with different size lips will change everything because you are takeing away from the outside of the wheel. for examply my 19x8s are 1inch lip in front and 2 inch lip in rear. The front offset is 35mm to clear big brake kit, and the rears are 28 offset.

Wheel offsets and spacers can be extremely confusing, even after you have learned how it works. I even confused myself a couple times thinking about it.

[SuperbSantorin4]

so back to the original post "I love the stock S4 rims, but i'd like fatter tires. Can i put 9.5 on my s4 rims? Maybe 9''? I would like this alot"

The widest tire size you CAN go is 235, however this will probably result in more flex from side to side. but dont expect to fit bigger size kumhos or kdw's in that size. You should play it save and stick with the 225 width to prevent unwanted flex. Besides I would think Audi would have slapped 235s on if it helped performance and handling since they have such a good name in the division.

So to play it safe don't go wider than 225, and if you want to go wider you can buy a wider wheel 8.5 all around, or run staggered with a 9inch wheel in the rear with a 255 tire(certain brands).

Hope all this clearified the thread.

[JHousyS4]

How fat is 225? How fat is 235? I am not too familiar with tires. So with an s4 oem rim...is it possible to do 8.5 in the front and 9 in the rear? If possible 9 in the front, 9.5 in the rear? Kumhos i guess....Let me know...also how much would this cost?

[SuperbSantorin4]

"How fat is 225? How fat is 235? I am not too familiar with tires. So with an s4 oem rim...is it possible to do 8.5 in the front and 9 in the rear? If possible 9 in the front, 9.5 in the rear? Kumhos i guess....Let me know...also how much would this cost?"


Hmm I'm not sure if you read my last two posts. The first number... 225/235/245/255 is the wide of the tire in Millimeters. The second number 35/40 is the ratio of the height to width of the tire, basically the thickness of the side wall.

I'm going to make it easy for you, stick with 225 on stock S4 wheels. If you want to go wider then you have to buy new wheels that are wider.

Think about it, a 7.5 inch wide wheel which is a 225 tire, and a tire for a 9 inch wide wheel which is about a 255. That is a 30mm difference, that is not going to hold air let alone squeeze inside the 7.5 inch wide wheel.

So either buy new wheels that are wider and you can slap on wider tires on, or stick with the same tire sizes you have now on you stock wheels.

Besides I always thought that stock s4 wheels with michellin pilot sport tires were wide and aggressive looking enough for the size of the car, I dont see why you want to go so wide on stock wheels. Its not going to help performance wise.

[JHousyS4]

Originally posted by SuperbSantorin4
"How fat is 225? How fat is 235? I am not too familiar with tires. So with an s4 oem rim...is it possible to do 8.5 in the front and 9 in the rear? If possible 9 in the front, 9.5 in the rear? Kumhos i guess....Let me know...also how much would this cost?"


Hmm I'm not sure if you read my last two posts. The first number... 225/235/245/255 is the wide of the tire in Millimeters. The second number 35/40 is the ratio of the height to width of the tire, basically the thickness of the side wall.

I'm going to make it easy for you, stick with 225 on stock S4 wheels. If you want to go wider then you have to buy new wheels that are wider.

Think about it, a 7.5 inch wide wheel which is a 225 tire, and a tire for a 9 inch wide wheel which is about a 255. That is a 30mm difference, that is not going to hold air let alone squeeze inside the 7.5 inch wide wheel.

So either buy new wheels that are wider and you can slap on wider tires on, or stick with the same tire sizes you have now on you stock wheels.

Besides I always thought that stock s4 wheels with michellin pilot sport tires were wide and aggressive looking enough for the size of the car, I dont see why you want to go so wide on stock wheels. Its not going to help performance wise.

Thank you for the expalnation! Anywho- so i cant go bigger than 7.5 on a stock rim...

[EuroTall]

Originally posted by SuperbSantorin4
"he uses spacers because he is on oem forged S8 wheels, they stick in a lot like S4 wheels do if you go without spacers, not to mention that they probably wouldnt fit with those tires."

Yeah I'm not too familiar with the S8 wheels so I couldn't tell about tire sizing. S8 wheels are wider from what I've heard so a different size tire might work. If the offsets are compatible with the s4 than no spacer is needed and he is using the spacer b/c his size 40 side wall tire is what is causing the rubbing. once again the 40 sidewall on a 235 would cause rubbing on my s4 with an 18inch wheel.

"Now I'm lost again.
If you use spacers then doesnt the ET increase in number ?

if I have 45ET offset now and use 10 mm spacer, that brings my TOtal ET to 55mm right?
making the HUB of the wheel stick out more.
What am I missing?"

Here I'll try and help clearify the whole wheel offset ordeal and spacers.

The offset of the wheel is the distance from the mounting surface to the center of the wheel. A postive offset will bring the wheel/tire more IN TO the fender. and a negitive offset will be inside the center line of the wheel meaning it will stick the wheel/tire OUTmore.

So our usual offset of +35mm is outside of the center line of the wheel/barrel, meaning less lip/ and more clearence for big brake kits. A +32mm offset would not clear for example on a B5 s4 because it is 3mm closer to the center of the wheel which would hit the caliper.

So you question "if I have 45ET offset now and use 10 mm spacer, that brings my TOtal ET to 55mm right?"

This is wrong, if you were to have +45mm offset and added a 10mm spacer you would reach +35mm offset. because u are going closer to the center line of the barrel/wheel.

However remember custom wheels with different size lips will change everything because you are takeing away from the outside of the wheel. for examply my 19x8s are 1inch lip in front and 2 inch lip in rear. The front offset is 35mm to clear big brake kit, and the rears are 28 offset.

Wheel offsets and spacers can be extremely confusing, even after you have learned how it works. I even confused myself a couple times thinking about it.

Much appreciated info SuberbSantorin4.
When looking at this pic from tires.com, this is where my whole confusion started, and all these questions followed.


I think I got it down though, looking at the center line of the wheel as in the pic, added spacer to the Positive offset (far left in this pic), makes it a total of 35mm then not 55mm as I prieviously thought.
makes sense.

[OverSpun]

ya, those are good pics, but you cant think of it in terms of how large the spacer is, and adding, because it has to do with how far the hub is from wheel center. like 45mm offset, with a 10mm spacer is going to make the offset 35mm, this is because it pushes it out more. it isnt possible (unless you ahve spacers to remove) to give you a higher offset unless you get different wheels, (i.e from 45 to 55mm offset) you wouldnt want a 55 offset anyway, it wouldnt fit.

so the fact of the matter, when looking at wheels, a ET35 offset wheel should work perfectly, they fill the wheel well nicely, and when you lower it it will look great, no need for any spacers at all. i have ET32 wheels and they come right to the limit. i think it looks great, and even better once its lower.

[SuperbSantorin4]

Much appreciated info SuberbSantorin4.

You welcome, Glad I can help. I had no choice but to start learning about it after buying wheels for my muscle car and wanting the staggered wheel tire setup with a big lip and now with the wheels I bought for the S4s. It's always good to know this type of info.

[Imperial]

Ex post facto here, but the S8 wheels are 18"x8", which is why I'm running the wider tires. I had to space them out, too, otherwise they'd rub.

Excellent info, guys, I'm sure it cleared up a LOT of things for a good number of people

[JHousyS4]

Originally posted by OverSpun
ya, those are good pics, but you cant think of it in terms of how large the spacer is, and adding, because it has to do with how far the hub is from wheel center. like 45mm offset, with a 10mm spacer is going to make the offset 35mm, this is because it pushes it out more. it isnt possible (unless you ahve spacers to remove) to give you a higher offset unless you get different wheels, (i.e from 45 to 55mm offset) you wouldnt want a 55 offset anyway, it wouldnt fit.

so the fact of the matter, when looking at wheels, a ET35 offset wheel should work perfectly, they fill the wheel well nicely, and when you lower it it will look great, no need for any spacers at all. i have ET32 wheels and they come right to the limit. i think it looks great, and even better once its lower.

YO OVERSPUN-

Gpt any pics, i wanna see what the tires look like. What company tires do you have too.

[ChaoticS4]

Originally posted by EuroTall
Now I'm lost again.
If you use spacers then doesnt the ET increase in number ?

if I have 45ET offset now and use 10 mm spacer, that brings my TOtal ET to 55mm right?
making the HUB of the wheel stick out more.
What am I missing?

Nope. If you add a 10mm spacer to a 45mm... it becomes a 35mm offset. Goes in the reverse direction.

Now with wider wheels. I know of a few S4 that are running 255 35 R18's all around with no problems.

I also know people who run 225 40 18 in the front and 255 35 18 in the rear with no problems.

with the right offset... anything is possible.

[indica]

i am running volks 18x8 et+35 (35mm positive offset) with a 235/40 and i get zero rubbing. stock suspension now but i plan on doing stasis when i have the extra money.