Smaller ET value: the difference

[Tom Nas]

Hi all,

I've recently changed the OE 6x14 ET45 steel wheels w/175-section tyres on 
my power steering-less FWD 80 to ET35 alloys w/185s and would like to 
relate the changed handlig characteristics for those among you interested.
The absence of power steering makes for excellent road feel in this car, so 
changes are felt clearly. One unfair factor in the equation is that the 
tyres on the steel wheels were M&S.

Turn-in is much sharper, though there's an odd 'over-center' feel to the 
steering. Roadholding and cornering habits have improved 300% (which isn't 
strange coming from M&S) and understeer is virtually banished. The car is 
MUCH more susceptible to bump steer though, and tramlining is an equally 
irritating habit now.

I'd love to compare w/ET45 wheels in the same tyre size, but I suspect that 
the weird steering feel and the susceptibility to bump steer are 'thanks' 
to the decreased ET value.

The wheels (now w/OE centre caps) look great on the car- see the pic in the 
Audifans Registry.

Tom

PS Watching a 'reality TV' show while typing this- there's an A4 Avant 
that's hit the left and right guardrail on the highway, skidded down the 
grass and hit a tree head-on. The car's thoroughly demolished- hardly 
anything exists ahead of the windscreen and the cabin's pretty screwed up. 
The driver was able to get out of the car himself, no injuries. Excellent 
and safe design, Audi!
The next item featured a police Opel Vectra doing the same thing, with less 
fortunate results for the occupants. For one, the airbags failed to deploy 
and the policemen had to be liberated from the resulting tangle with 
hydraulic spreaders.