How does a lower offset wheel affect car handling?

[Ti Kan]

Robert Stirrat writes:
> I'm looking to get a set of Azev A 16" rims in the coming months for my B4.
> The current offset is 37 (I think), however, I noticed that the same wheel
> is available with an offset of 15.  Would this lower offset give a "deep
> dish" appearance?  More importantly, how would this lower offset affect the
> handling of the car? - Would this give the car a larger turning circle? Is
> there any real disadvantage with this?

You don't say how wide the wheel is, but assuming it is something 
as wide or wider than stock, it will indeed give more of a deep dish
appearance and will probably rub on your fenders.  Even if you manage
to roll/cut your fenders to make it fit, you will obliterate the factory's
designed-in negative roll radius steering geometry, not to mention looking
like one of those low riders with the wheels sticking out.

-Ti
01 S4 2.7 biturbo quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
96 A4 2.8 quattro (sold but not forgotten)
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
   ///   AMB Research Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
  ///    ti at amb.org
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