Re: UPDATE: Discount Tire Replica rims for Audi

[DeWitt Harrison <de@aztek-eng.com>]

John, your experience is consistent with my own. I run 42mm and that
is right on the edge. My suspension is lowered approximately 1" which
makes the fit even a bit tighter in the rear. The upshot is that I must dial
in about 1 to 1.5 degrees of negative camber and cut away some of the
plastic wheel house liner to clear. I use 205/55R16 Goodyear CS-Cs which
are relatively broad shouldered but not necessarily the widest in that size.
(On the other hand, some folks, by some unexplained twists of good
fortune, seem to be able to run any damn size or offset they want without
interference.) I am puzzled why all wheel vendors - not just Discount -
have always thought 35 mm is a good wheel offset number for these cars.
I think back in 1986 a tire shop in California once wrote that number in
its catalog and the entire universe copied it ever since. There has been no
tire wear problem running the extra degree of negative camber. 

At the risk of upsetting some loyal and true q-listers, I have seen a number
of do-it-yourself rear fender flare jobs, now, and I think they are not at
all attractive. I think "cheesy" would sum up my reaction. Clearly there is
a performance advantage in doing so, but anyone considering this move
really ought to look at an example or two before making the big commitment.
If performance still wins out, you could then just take a saber saw to the
wheel arches like ol' Uncle Ned.

DeWitt Harrison
Boulder, CO
88 5kcstq

On Thu, 10 Sep 1998 13:15:00 -0700, John Karasaki wrote:
At 02:34 PM 9/10/98 EDT, you wrote:
>>I called Discount tire they claim they are in stock and are 35 mm.
>>So I need a 45 mm offset? I think Ronal has a 42 mm offset on a 16x7.5 wide
>>rim will this work?
>>
>>Howard
>>
>[ ... ]
>You need a 45mm offset to clear the fenders in the rear without flaring
>them with a baseball bat.
>
>Many on the list have fit 16x7.5 wide wheels with 35mm offsets on their
>5ktq/200tq cars using 205/55/16 tires and a baseball bat to flare the
>fenders.  That 42mm 16x7.5 wheel Ronal might sell will rub without
>modifications or running higher negative camber in the rear.
>
>What wheel does Ronal offer in the offset/size you describe?  TIA.
>
>The GOOD NEWS is that the wheel is only $129 each -- and in stock.  As
>such, it is still a great alternative for the OE flared fender bodied Audi
>owners out there.
>[ ... ]