Expert Wheel Advice Needed for 8L S3

[gareth_oau]

Hey All,

i'm just about to buy some new rims for my 2000 S3 and I'm chasing some expert advice.

I'm planning on buying overseas, so i need as much confidence as possible that i'm doing the right thing before committing.

Stock is 17 x 7.5" ET32

I'm looking at two options:

1/ staggered 18 x 8.5"/9.5" ET35
2/ 19 x 8.5" ET35

Asisde from ride/handling issues, I'm trying to understand how the fit will be, what sort of spacers may or may not be needed (for both inner and caliper clearance) and if my wheel arch will be compromised.

i've looked at all the wheel fitment calculator and spoken to the supplier, but I'm still not 100% confident that I might not be buying issues.

is anyone intimate enough with the issue that they can offer advice?

Cheers

[walbjj]

having gone up in size on my mk6 gti from the 17" denvers to 19x8 oz racing. i thing the second option will work. im not sure on the staggered layout tho
what rims btw?

[gareth_oau]

I will reveal more on the rim choice once all sorted!

[dylan8]

you shouldnt have any problems clearance wise to guards both in and out.
although the S3 (like the R32 and 4mo) camber in the rear under lowering, so im not sure how much room you lose from cambering.
I ran 10et32 on my 2wd mk4 and it had room to go back 5+mm, so id imagine you would be fine.

its impossible to tell if itll clear your brakes or not by the width/offset. everywheel is different, it comes down to the design.
say if its a dished wheel the chances of it touching go up, but not always the case.
best thing to do would be see if they can measure from the mounting point of the wheel to the back of the spokes. then you can take those measurements and check.

[Tuning Dynamics]

This is what 17 x 8.5 ET13 on the front and ET11 on the rear looks like. Could run ET10 on the front(with rolled guards) and ET0 on the rear easy. Car doenst rub at current spec, well the chassis rubs the road haha

[gareth_oau]

and in my garage when I got home tonight.....

[gareth_oau]

a few quick phone snaps:

along with some Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2s - 235/40/18 (took advantage of their 3 for 4 sale)

[walbjj]

rep or real?

[gareth_oau]

reps, at about 1/4 the price of reals. and reals arent staggered

[dylan8]

reps, at about 1/4 the price of reals. and reals arent staggered

is that a 9.5???? damn, just swallows it.
hows the finish??
and genuine are staggered btw... i have some