Hi,

I have recently traded up to an A3 from a 2005 A4...I still have the 16" A4 rims and snow tires...Will these fit on my A3? Thanks for any info on this.

 

no they won't fit! you need 17" rims

 

Thanks, that'swhat I was afraid of! Oh well, an excuse for more bling!!

 

Ok, now i am confused...just called Tire Rack and they said 16" are recommended and the rims should fit fine...?????I am going to try them for fitment tonight.

 

16" wheels will fit the A3.

For your original question: I've heard that the offset of OEM wheels is 56mm, but offsets of 45-48mm (common on Tire Rack and other wheels) for the A3work with 'proper' width tires. I'd trust the Tire Rack experts. They recommend 205/55-16 winter tires for our cars.

 

strange ...if you have like I do a 3.2 Q ...well I actuallydid try to fit them on the car and 16"rims will not go around the capilers!!!!....if other wise PLEASE explain the rim story to a confused amateur

 

Put 'em on today...all is well!

 

Strange that one set of 16" rims fit and another do not. I don't recall hearing that 3.2's had bigger brakes, so maybe it was the specific rims.

I looked at the clearance between the front calipers and my OEM 16-spoke 17's today, and there was definitely more then 1/2" radial clearance - could be almost an inch.

 

well I have looked also and there is no more than 5 mm between rim and caliper!!!half a inch (12mm)smaller would be impossible.not doubting what I have read from Oliver88 I am very confused!Is there something with "offset"whatever that means??

 

It is not always the the diameter of the wheel that causes them not to fit but sometimes the distance between the faces (caliper and spokes). This changes from wheel to wheel so certain 16" wheels can fit while others can't. Offset does not effect fitment for brakes, rather it effects tires rubbing in the fenders, scrub radius, and bump steer. There are templates you can get or make to be sure if wheels will fit on a car. Something similar to this: