17'' Wheel Offset on Standard S4 Avant

[noca]

I have a very low mileage (32K) 2001 S4 Avant, so everything is standard as built in July 2001.

I have now entered the minefield of upgrading my wheels, so I have opted for RS4 style after market wheels. They arrived 17-5x112 with 35mm offset, but won't fit, as they foul the calipers.The dealer gave me some bull that I had a 'special' S4 with larger than normal calipers, however everying is standard, so a lame excuse.

Not too keen on spacers, can anyone recommend a supplier with an off the shelf wheel that will fit without grinding or spacers.

I would also be obliged if anyone can confirm exactly what the offset should be. It seems that in some cases 35mm is OK, and other times not, is this down to the aftermarket manufacturer.

I have also found a set of new Audi BBS starship split rims on Ebay on sale by Stafford Audi, these look pretty neat wheels, are a genuine Audi part and have a 36mm offset. Ebay sale no 110278616242

Normally I would call into a wheel centre to sort out the wheels, however as I live in Jersey I have to rely on Mail Order, so after the first failure need to get it right next time


All help welcome

Thx

Noca

[h8cak]

ET35 is the correct offset. The RS4 Reps do not clear the calipers without spacers. There a lot of people on here running spacers with a lot mor BHP than you so there is nothing to worry about. Get yourself some spacers and use the RS4 reps. They will look great

[noca]

Thanks for the advice, what depth spacers do I need 5mm ?

[tdiquattro]

The offset is to get the rim in the right place on the car, but many folks miss the fact that each design of wheel gives different brake clearance. It's been covered before but the only other issue is the rear suspension uprights clearing the inside of the rear wheels.



I know it doesn't help you now, but in case anyone else is looking at this, the measurement "A" needs to be taken and confirmed with the wheel supplier that there is space.

[tdiquattro]

You can buy a couple of cheap universal steel spacers from Halfords to experiment and see what size you need, thats the best way.

[frazered]

std s4 avus wheel in 17 inch has an offset of 45, so the reps in 17's are the wrong offset unless as suggested above you use spacers

[noca]

Thanks Guys,

Looks like we are now going for 18'' RS4 after markets plus spacers, my dealer ordered the spacers today.

If that fails then I'll go for a set of BBS 18''s

Thx

Noca

[frazered]

which dealer is doing this for you? an audi one?

be interested how you get on with them, are they reps?

[noca]

Matt,

The garage I bought the S4 is a second hand car dealership, as well as having a Carnoisseur franchise, so hence the promise of the new wheels and tyres. There seems to be a problem understanding the difference between lookalike RS4 wheels that fit an A4, and wheels that will fit an S4 due to the offset and size of the S4 calipers

The problem was compounded by the UK suppiler of the wheels going bust. So hence the lack of information.

I'll let you know how we get on. spacers should be here shortly

Thx

Noca

[noca]

Still, having problems, the spacers arrived, wheels were fitted, but the studs were too long, so they shortened the studs. Wheels fit, however there is rubbing noise which isn't the tyre or the wheel, seems to be something to do with the wheel nuts.

So back to the original wheels, any suggestions where I can buy a set of RS4 wheels that will fit, apart from Audi

Thanks David

[MilkybarKid]

do you have the correct spigot ring fitted?
this goes in the centre bore of the wheel, as aftermarket wheels are made to fit a wide range of cars, they usually make the centre bore bigger. if the spigot ring isnt the correct size, ie a tight fit, the wheel bolts take all the weight of the car instead of the centre bore and you can end up loosening or even shearing bolts, i dont have a pic of this to illustrate it, but sure someone will have one to hand.
this can also cause vibration if there is a big gap, and it ddoesnt take much.
other than that have you checked that it clears the rear suspension as pointed out above?

[MilkybarKid]

also triple check that the calipers definately do not touch the inside of the wheels, i had to use 5mm spacers to clear the inside of my RS4 reps, 3mm ones were still shaving the wheel slightly.

[yorkie]

I had exactly the same problem, bought 10mm hubcentric spacers which came with longer wheel bolts so wheels would clear calipers.

I measured the bolts and bought ones which should have been fine as they were exactly 10mm longer.

Fitted the wheels and the bolts on the fronts fouled so the wheels didn't turn although the rears were fine.

Ended up hacking about 3mm off each front wheel bolt after first measuring what needed to be removed.

Maybe they needed to take a bit more off although I still had a rubbing noise which just turned out to be the pads rubbing on the disk.

The problem was the taper on the bolt head, it was sharper on the new bolts meaning they went into the tapered hole in the wheel further.