what to do?

[sash]

Got a bit of a dilemma.

Got some BBS CH 18" x 8.5 et35 that im thinking of selling. They do not fit well on my B5 s4 saloon, i get slight rubbing on the front passenger arch at full compression, ie when taking a tight corner fast.

Took it down to QST who fitted some H&R coilovers (what a transformation), they told me that s4s passenger side wheel sticks out about 5mill more than drivers side. Apparently this is quite common, i was shown another yellow s4 with the same problem (that didnt have 8.5s on though so it wasnt sticking out past the wheel arch)

Anyway, a few options have been offered up as a solution to the rubbing.

1. Roll the wheel arch
2. Lower profile tyres up front
3. Change my alloys for less wide ones

Dont really like the idea of 1 but have not ruled it out.

Dont mind doing 2 but what if i get a flat, what tyre should the spare have?

I see 3 as the last resort, unless i can get a good price for my hardly used BBS CH with goodyear F1s.

Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated?

[sitas3]

on my B5 S4, my 18" RS6 replicas with 225/40/18 tyres on slightly stick outside my arches due to me having to fit 5mm spacers so the wheels clear the Porsche calipers. doesn't look too bad but it isn't preferable. I'll have to be careful when I lower the car as I can't lower it too much because of this...

Little wonder the RS4 has wider arches.

let us know what you do decide on.

[sash]

You may be ok if you only drop it by say 20mm. Im at 30mm drop and its that extra 10mm that makes the difference i think. Question is where to take it off, either the tyre or the wheel arch???

PS, friend had rs6 alloys on his noggy s4 saloon before he sold it, they looked lovely on his s4. He was running on RS4 Suspension. He said it was a nice compromise between stock and going all out with H&Rs.

I also had RS4 suspension for a while and it dropped the front by about 20mm, with that setup you may not experience any rubbing. Good luck with your setup whatever you decide to do.

Ill let you know what i decide.

[peterb]

2. Lower profile tyres up front

Not advisable with quattro - must have the same rolling circumference all round.

[s8n]

i know loads of people with different profiles front and rear on haldex and its fine, I guess its different with Torsen?

[sash]

Thanks peterb, I've also been advised to replace all 4 tyres instead of the front 2. This is not too bad as it'll mean i can sell 4 goodyear f1s, more likely someone will buy a set of 4 as opposed to just 2.

Been thinking of getting some 225 s02s all round. may be with 10 mill less width it may cure the problem. May try this first see how it goes and then either raise suspension by about 5mm all round or do a little arch rolling. Really hope the tyres will sort out the problem, as i dont wanna raise or roll.