Wheel offset question

[davidh2905]

Hi, I am looking at buying some new wheels for my S1, would really like them to sit out flush with the arches, does anyone know what offset is required?
Thanks

[tozerman]

When I had my S I changed the wheels for Compomotive ones, I went for the standard offset of et25, I did consider going for et15 which will move the wheel 10mm further from the hub but decided against it in the end, so if my calculations are correct then et15 would be OK, good luck.

Cheers.....Tony..

[davidh2905]

Many thanks

[davidh2905]

Many thanks

[mikel003003]

A word of caution , I have banded steelies because I wanted the wheels a little more flush I also used 225 tyres but Because of the squat the rear wheels fouled the arches under acceleration and cornering I have changed back to 205s now and its fine but do your sums carefully !

[tozerman]

If you stick with 205 tyres you will be ok,

Cheers.....tony..

[GreenV8S]

That doesn't sound like a good reason to change the wheel offset to me. The geometry of the wheels need to be right for the suspension and steering. As far as the bodywork is concerned, as long as the wheel clears everything that is OK. If you start changing the geometry based on bodywork clearances you can make a big impact on the way the car handles and feels and could end up with a car that is unpleasant or even dangerous to drive.

[phillpot]

GreenV8S said:

............or even dangerous to drive.

A little OTT? a few millimetres offset or some thin spacers is hardly radical!

[GreenV8S]

phillpot said:

A little OTT? a few millimetres offset or some thin spacers is hardly radical!

I don't think anyone has said how far it was proposed to move the wheels to fit the arches. Is it a few mil? Is it even the same distance on each side, given that the bodies are not usually symmetrical? If you planned to do it using spacers rather than wheels with a different offset it introduces another potential problem if the spacers are thick enough to compromise the stud engagement. Changing the suspension geometry for cosmetic reasons is just a fundamentally bad idea.

Edited by GreenV8S on Thursday 12th April 21:33

[phillpot]

GreenV8S said:

I don't think anyone has said how far it was proposed to move the wheels to fit the arches.

True, they didn't, although an offset change of 10mm was mentioned. I just presumed (I know, never presume anything ) the op wasn't intending to do a Carlos Fandango ..........

[GreenV8S]

Do you remember that advert?

I know the man who has the wheels used in that advert in his loft. I think the rest of the car has gone by now.