Wheels/Tire Combo ?

[Guy Usher]

Jobe,

Last spring I got a set of the same seven spoke, 16" Audi rims.  I mounted Dunlop 205/50/16 summer tires on them.  I also have the G60 brakes up front.  The wheels went on the car just fine, but the offset is different (35mm vs. 45mm).  They definitely feel different--ride is a little firmer, cornering is improved, but they're also very sensitive to any grooves in the pavement.  I don't know if that sensitivity is the tires, the different offset of the rims, or possibly a loose steering rack (have 219,000 miles on mine).  I just put my original rims back on with the Blizzacks, and it's still a bit squirrly on some sections of pavement, so I guess I need to check out the steering components.  If you go with the these rims, I'd be curious to hear how they work for you.  Aesthetically, they look good, but you have to get used to the rims sitting in more than the stock BBS wheels.  Because of that, I don't think the look is quite as aggressive as the original rims.

Overall, I'm happy with the setup, but if I run across a set of 16" rims with the right offset, I'd probably switch to them.  For me, it was a relatively inexpensive way to upgrade and see if it was an improvement or not.  Handling wise--Yes.  Aesthetically--OK.  As for effecting performance because of the heavier wheel, I didn't notice a difference.

The only real issue I had with the 16" rims and 205/50/16 tires is that my speedometer was 5mph fast.  Which is ok when those rims are on the car, but it's been tough to change back to the BBS 15's--I tend to be going faster than I realize.  When it comes time for another set of summer tires, I'll switch to a 55 series instead, which should cure the speedo problem.

hope this helps,
Guy



1991 200 TQ 20v--219,000 
1989 Range Rover
1987 XR4Ti
And a bunch of Triumphs