Harsh ride

redbull_a2 said:
I have the 1.4 Sport with the same wheels as yours. I recommend going for a 45 profile tyre rather than the standard 40 profile, the difference is astonishing, my A2 drives so smoothly now and that's with the stiffer Sport springs.
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I thought the 45 profile on 17s would catch. If it doesn't, I have a lot of second hand wheels to look at :) Currently looking for a nice pair of RS4s.
 
My choice of wheels and tyres are unfortunately dictated by the general state of the roads around where i live. If i lived in say Cornwall, where the majority of the roads are smooth and unaffected by heavy haulage and potholes, i,d have 17,s like a shot.
Ta
Dave
:)
 
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Special edition said:
My choice of wheels and tyres are unfortunately dictated by the general state of the roads around where i live. If i lived in say Cornwall, where the majority of the roads are smooth and unaffected by heavy haulage and potholes, i,d have 17,s like a shot.
Ta
Dave
:)
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I know what you mean Dave, the best roads seem to be where they haven't got to constantly dig up for services under the roads!
The best roads I've ever driven on where in Lanzarote, 'SMOOTH AS A BABIES' no services or drains to worry about there, all pipe work runs beside the road just off the ground!
It frustrates the hell out of me having to drive over speed humps too, just because of a few idiot boy racers we all suffer Ggrrr, rant over lol,
Cheers Jeff
 
215/40, 205/45R17 tend to be without issues. 215/45 are strictly speaking too large and tend to catch.

ET makes a big difference.

- Bret
 
Just ordered 215/40 17s . 225/45 17s physically looked too big.

bretti_kivi said:
215/40, 205/45R17 tend to be without issues. 215/45 are strictly speaking too large and tend to catch.

ET makes a big difference.

- Bret
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Hi,

As the charts indicate below, the 205 45 17s are slightly larger than recommended (Diameter wise) but they should be fine and I believe that several knowledgeable members use this size.

The second chart shows the difference between 205 40 17s and 215 45 17s and this shows that they are in excess of the recommended +_2.5% diameter and the extra width adds to the issue.

As for ET, Bret is spot on. But the reason I am saying that 205 45 17s are ok is that this assumes that you have fitted them to the standard Audi Sport alloys.

Steve B
205 45 17 wheels.jpg215 45 17 wheels.jpg
 
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My tdi90 is a Sport model, so on 17s, with the sport suspension. I went to 205/45s a few years back, and have never looked back. It took out a lot of that harsh crashiness over bumps, manholes and potholes, but lost hardly anything in terms of steering and sure footedness. I think it actually feels more 'planted' as a result. I may go to FSDs as and when the dampers need changing, but I'm in no rush.
 
I also have 205/45s on my TDI Sport and I must say they are a vast improvement over the standard tyres :)
 
Birchall said:
?...As for ET, Bret is spot on. But the reason I am saying that 205 45 17s are ok is that this assumes that you have fitted them to the standard Audi Sport alloys./QUOTE]

The standard A2 Sport alloys, 17", 9-spoke, are ET38.
Are you saying that 215/45 tyres don't catch?

I wonder if anyone use TT Sport alloys, 18", 9-spoke, ET33?
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6stings said:
Birchall said:
?...As for ET, Bret is spot on. But the reason I am saying that 205 45 17s are ok is that this assumes that you have fitted them to the standard Audi Sport alloys./QUOTE]

The standard A2 Sport alloys, 17", 9-spoke, are ET38.
Are you saying that 215/45 tyres don't catch?

I wonder if anyone use TT Sport alloys, 18", 9-spoke, ET33?
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215 45 17s are likely to catch but I cannot be sure because u have not tried them. Perhaps someone on here has and can comment?

as for the 18" 9 spoke Tt alloys I have had them on mine with 215 35 18s and they just about catch when you have 4 adults in the car and only on speed bumps and other pot holes etc.
Steve B
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Birchall said:
6stings said:
215 45 17s are likely to catch but I cannot be sure because u have not tried them. Perhaps someone on here has and can comment?

as for the 18" 9 spoke Tt alloys I have had them on mine with 215 35 18s and they just about catch when you have 4 adults in the car and only on speed bumps and other pot holes etc.
Steve B
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I see.
What ET you have on 18" you have now, Steve? They don't catch, do they?
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HI,

They are 35 ET and hey have the same small issue as the 18" TT 9 Spoke sport wheels, they are fine unless I have 4 adults in the car and hit a large bump.

Then the just about rub on the inner arch plastic protector. I am tempted to modify that a little, when I get chance but it is fine for now.

The other option is a small spacer, but I don't like wheel spacers, also it would push the wheel closer to the arch and so I might therefore need to trim that slightly instead.

So for now they are ok and when I get chance I will trim the plastic inner arch, but there is no serious rubbing at all.

Just for clarification it is the width of the wheels and tyres that is the problem, the diameter of the tyre is the same as a standard A2 wheel diameter. So it is not the 18" that is the problem, it is due to the fact that these are 8" wide and my recommendation for the A2 is 7.5" width maximum.
215 tyres are also the maximum I would recommend. Even with the wheel sitting exactly where it should (ET wise) there is just not enough width in the wheel arch, without surgery for 225s and 215s are a push, but 205s are too narrow for the 8" wheels and would look odd (I am sure you have seen stretched tyres before, where the tyre is too narrow for the rim) and not be that safe.


Steve B
 
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It might be an idea to have a look at different tyre profiles too. (not size, actual shape of the tyre) From my experience certain tyres have a more rounded profile on the edge and some have a much squarer edge.

The squarer or roundness of the "shoulder" or "sipes" indicated below:

tiretread.jpg


So looking at the side wall, some have a square corner to the tread, some are much curvier. A curvier one may help prevent rubbing issues.

The only ones I can think off straight away are Toyos tended to be a bit rounder and Bridgestones tend to be squarer.

Just a thought!
 
Good input Dai.

In my case, it is the actual sidewall that rubs ever so slightly on the inner arch, but you are right that the tyre shape can sometimes help if the rubbing is small and specific to that part of the tyre.

Steve B
 
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