Staggered Fittment

[Qwikturnin]

Hi everyone,

I'm shopping for some new rubber and it has been suggested to get rims as we'll and go staggered.
Does this make sense at all on a 2012 S4?
Thoughts? Concerns? I am leaning towards keeping 255-35-19's all around. The rest of the suspension is stock.

Thanks for any input.

Robert

[apexit1]

why would you go staggered on an awd car that comes with a square set-up from the factory?

[westwest888]

What handling characteristic are you trying to compensate for with staggering?

Sent from Samsung Galaxy S4

[drob23]

Exactly, if you stagger the wheels you will create more understeer. Not needed on this car other than looks I guess? Although tricky to fit a wide wheel in the rear, fenders don't really allow it.

[raudiace4]

Staggered + Quattro = no.

Run a square set up.

[Qwikturnin]

Staggered + Quattro = no.

Run a square set up.

That's exactly what I thought!
Thanks for the reassurances that I was right!

Cheers Everyone!

[dubsquared]

If you want the staggered look, you can always stagger the offsets. Same look, no compromises.

[jfabes]

lulz...make sure you tell the person that "suggested" staggering an awd car is FOS :)

[B8 S FOR]

At least you asked first. Do not run staggard setup on an AWD car! It will void certain warranty items. In fact my SA and I were discussing this last week. WTF would you do this? It's an AWD car with QUATTRO! not RWD! You should have bought a M3 or C63!

[Mops@Nemesis]

If you are really wanting the look, then go for it. Shoot to keep the TD variance around 2% or less. If you are not tracking, it does not make a damn. You'll never notice increased understeer.

[Jango3434]

Better yet to offset the understear reverse stagger the tires! Wider front skinnier in the back that will be definetly a better way to go

[drob23]

Better yet to offset the understear reverse stagger the tires! Wider front skinnier in the back that will be definetly a better way to go

This G37 was borderline slammed but running some skinny ass snow tires with awful offsets, almost corolla skinny. Looked hilarious.

Edit - got it with VLC

[Skywagon]

Today I'm picking up my car with a staggered set. 20x9s in front, 265/30s in front, 20x10s in the rear, 295/25s rear. Off set is high but uncertain because the wheels were custom made by Forgeline and they covet their information. The rear wheels are smaller but there is only a 1.8% difference in diameter and obviously inside the alleged 2% difference. The stock Continental 19s had a tread width of 8.5 inches, personally measured them with a tape. The new Michelins are 9.5 inches wide tread up front, 11 inches wide in the rear. Only rubbing found is inside on the rear wheel well on the liner. I'll get some pictures soon. If you want to road race put the stock tires back on.

[Jango3434]

This G37 was borderline slammed but running some skinny ass snow tires with awful offsets, almost corolla skinny. Looked hilarious.

Edit - got it with VLC

LOL oh my!!! Thats horrific

[afig367]

Staggered + Quattro = no.

Run a square set up.

I wouldn't do it on the S4, but it's worth noting that the R8 and Aventador both run a staggered setup from the factory on AWD. However, it's a different AWD system that can account for it.

[cspcrx]

Doesn't the s5 run staggered wheels? Or does it just look like they run deeper concave then the S4?

[Mops@Nemesis]

If you want to road race put the stock tires back on.

That.

And 3% is tolerable. 2% is optimal.


Mops on the move

[Mops@Nemesis]

Doesn't the s5 run staggered wheels? Or does it just look like they run deeper concave then the S4?

Wider 9" ~et30 but still square on 255/35.


Mops on the move

[chanceparker]

There is nothing mechanically wrong with running staggered sizes as long as the tire diameters are the same. I can't vouch for how it affects handling, but for a daily driver, you'll probably never notice. If you want to do it for cosmetic reasons, go for it. Just keep the tire diameters with 1-2% and you're good.

[drob23]

I wouldn't do it on the S4, but it's worth noting that the R8 and Aventador both run a staggered setup from the factory on AWD. However, it's a different AWD system that can account for it.

The R8 has a completely different quattro system, with a nominal torque split of 20-80. The ESC system (and sports diff) are engineered to accommodate this from the start (which works in harmony with the AWD driveline). The Aventador has an AWD system similar to the Bugatti Veyron, based on reverse haldex system, it is essentially RWD and then the clutch system can send torque to the front when needed (probably launching). Xdrive Bimmers also come staggered from the factory, but again have clutch based AWD systems which are essentially RWD above 40 mph.

Most RWD vehicles run staggered setups because they have natural oversteer under throttle, or are traction limited due to high torque. An AWD vehicle doesn't have this problem, so there is no reason to do this from a vehicle dynamics point of view. It can even be worse on vehicles with permanent AWD and electronic center differentials (GTR, STi, Evo), where much of the torque appropriation is carried out based on wheel speed delta's under load (which will now be screwed up). The torsen type center diff should be better able to deal with it, but you are essentially messing with the nominal torque split. It's the same thing as if you were always accelerating up a hill (more torque to rear because weight transfer). This isn't counting that now your vehicle will rotate less (understeer). People can argue how apparent this will be, but I guess it depends on the person. I could easily tell when my sway bars were upgraded and camber was dialed back, this is the same type of thing (not black & white). If you want the look, I agree that you should just get wider offsets, but to each their own...

[Skywagon]

Just drove the car over 200 miles, no smoke, fire or lights. FWIW, the S4 has power distribution of 40% front, 60% rear. I couldn't tell a bit of difference between the stock set up and the stagger. Of course it was all normal highway driving.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Omg omg, you be safe buddy. You're living on the edge. :P


Mops on the move

[Skywagon]

Omg omg, you be safe buddy. You're living on the edge. :P


Mops on the move

It's a gut wrenching nightmare!!!!