R36 Wagon - 20" x 9.5 +29 offset BBS CK

[Highlander]

Then R34 talks about compromise. If the R36 was no compromise it would look like an Aston Martin, go like the veyron and handle like an Elise...all for <70k

Sorry but you miss the nuance in the use of the word "compromise". Used in the context, as a verb, here it means a concession to something detrimental or putting it more simply in dictionary terms To reduce the quality, value, or degree of something.

[schoona]

I don't think I did. It's at the expense of something else, bargaining. You don't get something for nothing.... Put wheels on, you need new tyres, whatever size that is. Put an exhaust on for the sound and performance, you put up with the (potential) cabin noise/drone and extra attention because the car stands out more etc etc...

otherwise have to agree with R34 that it seems somewhat ridiculous to compromise a vehicle's handling and drivability for the sake of appearance.

It's at the expense of something, as you noted in your previous posts.

Was English 101 really needed douchebag? "In this context" what you said in the above quote is correct. Positive is the looks (Hey, if you are going for 20x9.5 and BBS CK, I think he might care about the look of his car ) but it's at the expense of a few driving qualities.

[schoona]

The trouble I have is that the OP (a newbie) asks for advice and a few guys go "yeah man it's wicked buy them and fit them" with NFI of what's involved fitting non standard wheels to a R36.
No care no responsibility from you guys if he buys the wheels and finds out his car is undriveable. Then you'd all run for cover.
My wheels poke out 12mm more than stock and the rears rub on mid corner bumps at the rear with std ride height and 235 tyres yet you advise the OP to go for wheels that poke a further 21mm than that and fit stretched tyres. Even with stretched 235 tyres it will rub on the panel and bend the guards on the first decent bump.
Sure it looks good but if it was doable and driveable I would have done it.

You raise a good point, it's not my car. I don't have an R36. The wheel offset calculators are pretty accurate, it's up to the OP to check those measurements against his car to see if they fit. The OP i'm sure would come back and read the thread/discussion and understand it's more on the edge of wheel fitment because they are Audi wheels, not Tempe replicas.

[schoona]

Why not just go for solid rubber tyres and get rid of that dreaded sidewall flex altogether?

I actually asked a question about whether stretching tyres provided improved handling or otherwise and was quite happy to receive a civil answer which was hardly forthcoming. I also think you are arguing against yourselves when you suggest returning to more conventional wheel size and tyre fitment for track work yet suggest that the stretch provides less sidewall flex and better feel. Actually went trawling for a few Formula 1 pics of wheels tyres and they don't appear to be stretched.

I will be happy to be provided with some factual info which indicates that stretched tyre fitment provides better performance than more conventional fitment. IMO it's just a look at thing and simply a matter of taste and until proven otherwise have to agree with R34 that it seems somewhat ridiculous to compromise a vehicle's handling and drivability for the sake of appearance.

Suppose it depends if you want to drive your car or just shine it up and park it in Hungry Jacks, Maccas or KFC car parks.

If I was younger and less polite and reserved than Maverick, I could perhaps only hazard a guess at what you are feeling for that improved feel when good driving technique suggests that you should be keeping both hands on the wheel.

I mentioned the S15 as a safety thing, if that can happen with those sorts of lateral forces on the tyre, I'm eased at to the use of them. Seeing people with stretched tyres do national park runs etc with them also gives me confidence.

I'd hazard a guess that a Formula 1 car needs massive tyres, both for the traction (larger sidewall, bulging contact patch on the road, better power down...like a top fueler) and for longevity. Even though the technology in htose tyre compounds is far beyond any road tyre, the sum total is the forces that tyre goes through aare that rigorous between acceleration, braking and cornering forces that there needs to be enough tyre there to wear over 25 hard laps at 100%.

I dont think an R36 is going to push anything like that on the street. If you are cornering on the street (where he has the 20x9.5 CK's on) that hard you should not have a licence. The R36 is AWD and has power, but it's not one to break all 4's into wheelspin....so it doesn't need big bulgy tyres to get power down...

On the other hand, when/if he goes to the track, an 18" wheel with (possibly) a better brand/performing tyre (in comparison)..it just makes sense because who in their right mind would put a 20x9.5" wheel on their car for the track?

Again "In this context" if it was a corvette, GTR, HSV GTS etc that all have big wheels/guards to accomodate those sizes, no he wouldn't need stretched tyres. Those guards/cars are big enough. They possibly could even run the same wheel and size on the track.

[PA.]

Formula 1 tyres and rims sizes are governed by the rules of Formula 1. With Bridgestone leaving the sport at the end of this year and the FIA taking a long time to organise a replacement supplier the size of them will remain for two more years. It has been reported that they will change the size of the tyres after this two year period to a more low profile design as per modern cars. This is more to do with the tyre supplier wanting a tyre that looks more like what they sell to the people than any other reason.

If stretching the sidewall improved a tyres performance then wouldn't the tyre companies be doing this already, or are they not up with this idea? Maybe old 75 series tyres may have benefited from this but I doubt modern low profile tyres would.

Stretching the sidewall would expose the sidewalls to more potential damage.

[schoona]

I think the point is, stretched rubber isn't the ultimate for handling/grip etc....but it is better than a massively bulged tyre. In the interests of looks and guard protection on a street car, who really cares about that last 1/10th of a second? It's not F1 on the street.

As mentioned, the OP has an R36, he goes out and buys 235/40 PS2 Michelins or something for his standard 18" Omanyts. Not a hard concept!

Why do you think 20x9.5 will see the track? Honestly?

[Umai Naa!!]

C'mon, we all know stretched tyres are soley responsible for the war in Iraq.

My mention of Formula 1 wasn't meant to be a direct comparison

[PA.]

C'mon, we all know stretched tyres are soley responsible for the war in Iraq.

That and the curtains fading from daylight saving.

[VWR.3.2.GONE]

Most people on this forum don't have an R36 with the potential for a really hot looking set of wheels in an awesome fitment at their disposal.

Most forum members with a vehicle newer than 2004 also dont like low, buy the same wheels and are APR fanboi's... who really cares, it's their car!

Why be a sheep and get the same RS4 wheels as someone else, be a bit different and push it a bit?

Yes the R36 is a performance car, it also isnt an EVO. I'm sure he will keep the standard wheels for track days if he wants. But for the 99% of the time he is on the street and not performance driving (like Rocket never does in his performance car), he may as well have the nicest looking R36 in the country.

.........................

[schoona]

Haha the old nick

Ok for a period of time it might have been, you get the point!

Yes yours will be the sexiest in the country! More inspiration for htis chap