18 inch wheels

**petor** · 20-09-2008,05:43 PM

Does anyone have any experience of the advantages or disadvantages of 71/2J x 18 wheels on a A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI Sport?

**prolfe** · 26-09-2008,06:46 PM

ride comfort is massively compromised.

the 40 profile on 18's makes the ride really harsh.

go and try a s-line first

**sootyscottie** · 28-09-2008,06:59 PM

Originally Posted by petor

Does anyone have any experience of the advantages or disadvantages of 71/2J x 18 wheels on a A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI Sport?

I have a 2.0 tdi which had 16" 205 x 55 wheels/tyres on.

I have now fitted some audi dtm wheels which are 18" 235 x 40.

I can honestly say that yes the ride quality has changed, but only by a very small amount. It is not uncomfortable or harsh, just a tad bit firmer.

My missus could hardly notice the differance to be honest, and she is practical thinking over what things look like. She has no complaints either....

this is only my opinion though...........

**prolfe** · 28-09-2008,07:17 PM

Originally Posted by sootyscottie

I have a 2.0 tdi which had 16" 205 x 55 wheels/tyres on.

I have now fitted some audi dtm wheels which are 18" 235 x 40.

I can honestly say that yes the ride quality has changed, but only by a very small amount. It is not uncomfortable or harsh, just a tad bit firmer.

My missus could hardly notice the differance to be honest, and she is practical thinking over what things look like. She has no complaints either....

this is only my opinion though...........

Does your car have sports suspension though, perhaps that's why it's not as noticeable.

?

**sootyscottie** · 28-09-2008,10:34 PM

not , it doesn't have sports suspension, so you are probably correct in what you say.

I will hopefully be fitting some eibach springs to lower the car down a bit as it is sitting a bit high with the new wheels on.

I will report back once i get these fitted to see what the differance is like again.

I'm not sure though whether this will give the same results though as the standard audi sports suspension. Do they use differant dampers aswell as springs or is it just the springs that are differant... if that makes sense.

**petor** · 28-09-2008,11:08 PM

Thanks for your response guys. The response was a bit slow in coming so
I have now bought the car in question and while the ride is a little harder than my previous 2.0 fsi SE on standard 16in. tyres, it is not as bad as 'prolfe' would suggest.
The road noise levels are up a bit but on the positive side, the handling is much sharper.
I thought all turbo cars had sports suspension?

**sootyscottie** · 28-09-2008,11:13 PM

I dont think it is down to what engine the car has, but down to the trim level.

Glad to hear you bought the car and are enjoying the new set up.

Hopefully i will be as pleased when i get my suspension done..

Are they they standard s line 18" wheels you have on there?

Are they 235 tyre width do you know? Reason i ask is that is what i have fitted to mine, so just wanted to know out of curiosity really.

**petor** · 29-09-2008,12:23 PM

The tyres are 225/40 ZR Michelins (I had to go and look)
The wheels are an (expensive) Audi option.
http://picasaweb.google.com/petor1st...ey=Y0EyLERAF3I#

**sootyscottie** · 29-09-2008,01:12 PM

Very nice wheels!!
Are theythe split rim look ones? They have the bolts on the inner face?

**phil_w** · 26-10-2008,11:13 AM

I take it that I can add 18" inch wheels to my standard 1.9TDI Sportback without having to do anything else?

Was thinking about some rep RS6 style ones when I need tyres next. Currently have the stock 16" on at the moment.