How many of you run wider tires in the front?

**NogaroSB** · 09-15-2008 05:42 PM

I've tried searching and haven't really been able to track down too much info. People are either trying to run staggered diameter tires, or wider tires in the rear. I don't want to do either of those things.

Pictures and other info would be great

**MAlby7** · 09-15-2008 05:48 PM

No one will run wider tires in the front. Firstly it looks stupid. Secondly, most audi's are quattro so there's no need to have that FWD drag car look.

**Chknkatsu** · 09-15-2008 05:52 PM

i can see where he is coming from though. On a circuit having a larger surface area in the front 'should' allow the front tires to hold it's line easier. but yes, a rake stance looks a bit strange

**GetAwayFromMe** · 09-15-2008 06:19 PM

You can't run wider tires in the front because of quatrro unless it's something like 255 35 18 front and 225 40 18 rear but that would look hella stupid. Running wider tires will blow your diff, not right away but in the longer run. To run staggered wheel look you have to have the wheel diameter as close as you can to be safe.

**Rapter** · 09-15-2008 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by GetAwayFromMe

You can't run wider tires in the front because of quatrro unless it's something like 255 35 18 front and 225 40 18 rear but that would look hella stupid. Running wider tires will blow your diff, not right away but in the longer run. To run staggered wheel look you have to have the wheel diameter as close as you can to be safe.

Yep that's the tire sizes I have on except wider in the rear. I haven't noticed any problems or negative performance.

**Das General** · 09-15-2008 07:23 PM

Depending on what setup you went with, you could end up creating more understeer/oversteer.

**Shomegrown** · 09-16-2008 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by MAlby7

No one will run wider tires in the front. Firstly it looks stupid. Secondly, most audi's are quattro so there's no need to have that FWD drag car look.

No one?

I know of a few people who would disagree with you there. I know of cars that have even come from the factory that way.

I'd be willing to bet it would make the car more enjoyable to drive at the limit. It probably doesn't have much use on a street car though.

**NogaroSB** · 09-16-2008 01:21 PM

Why on earth would anyone run wider rear tires (in an audi)?

That seems pretty dumb to me. Wouldn't this aggravate the car's tendency to understeer?

I was under the impression that wider/narrower tires wouldn't affect the diff too much if you matched the height well.

And it's definitely not so I can look "cool," my reasoning was to try and lower the tendency to understeer.

**NogaroSB** · 09-16-2008 01:24 PM

hah malby. way to miss the point

**Shomegrown** · 09-16-2008 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by NogaroSB

Why on earth would anyone run wider rear tires (in an audi)?

That seems pretty dumb to me. Wouldn't this aggravate the car's tendency to understeer?

I was under the impression that wider/narrower tires wouldn't affect the diff too much if you matched the height well.

And it's definitely not so I can look "cool," my reasoning was to try and lower the tendency to understeer.

You're 100% correct.

You're on the wrong forum though if you want to discuss function over form.

**RolledMySTi** · 09-16-2008 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by NogaroSB

Why on earth would anyone run wider rear tires (in an audi)?

That seems pretty dumb to me. Wouldn't this aggravate the car's tendency to understeer?

I was under the impression that wider/narrower tires wouldn't affect the diff too much if you matched the height well.

And it's definitely not so I can look "cool," my reasoning was to try and lower the tendency to understeer.

You are right, but as Shomegrown said most people here (especially in the wheel department) choose form over function. That is why you see cars with wider rears and not fronts. Wider rears is just for that staggered rwd look that is pointless on these cars unless you are modifying it for drag racing and run actual slicks in the rear. It would just make for a cool looking S4 that understeers even more than stock, if that is even possible.

Larger fronts would make sense from an handling perspective. You would have to keep the diameters of the tires as close as possible to not mess up the awd. Plus you would at least have to roll the front fenders to make the wider fronts fit as well. A 255/35/18 and 225/40/18 would have a difference in diameter of only 1.53mm, which should cause any problems with the awd system. If you plan on doing some track time I bet it would help hustling these nose heavy pigs around the turns.

**nateS4** · 09-16-2008 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by MAlby7

No one will run wider tires in the front. Firstly it looks stupid. Secondly, most audi's are quattro so there's no need to have that FWD drag car look.

Can you say ricer?

**audimeister** · 09-16-2008 05:05 PM

Hoppen built some fast (for their day) S2 coupe quattros with fatter front tires. They reportedly handled very well, and it was a valid way of reducing understeer.

**Shomegrown** · 09-16-2008 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by nateS4

Can you say ricer?

Actually improving performance at the sacrifice of appearance is the polar opposite of rice.

YMMV.

I guess race teams with nose-heavy cars must have it all wrong by putting the wider tires up front.