I recently got my 2001 A4 1.8t Quattro and love it. Having replaced wheel bearings , front suspension components and other trivial things, I decided to take out my mid life crisis on the car Ive already used the search function but have become even more confused after reading a thousand threads and using some online tools to determine if the rims and suspension would work. I have to keep it relatively inexpensive or the fiance will make sure my Audi stays a granny car.

Im thinking these for coilovers : Audi A4 Coilovers | Audi Coilovers

and these rims : Audi B5 A4 Quattro 1.8T > Wheels > Aftermarket Alloys > ES#2143387 18" Style 621 Wheels - Set Of Four - Hyper Silver - 621-2

or these : Audi B5 A4 Quattro 1.8T > Wheels > Aftermarket Alloys > ES#2207752 18" Style 628 Wheels - Set Of Four - Gunmetal / Machined Face - 628-2

I really need to know if I will need spacers , and tire size and what else to avoid wheel rub without rolling the fenders. Will 2.5 inches be too much with 18's ? I'm trying to get rid of the monster truck look but dont want the car slammed too much either ( I live in Michigan) Any help or opinions will be greatly appreciated I'll post pics of car after I get it back from wheel bearing service.

btw. Audiforums has kicked major *** in helping me do most of the work myself so far !

 

Ill just learn the hard (or easy ) way lol...

 

my opinions- i have raceland coilovers. not too happy. either get st coilovers if you want adjustability, or get billstein shocks and h&r springs if you want a nice drop without adjustability. both those wheels like bad in my opinion, but if you like them they will both fit fine considering the offset is 45, which is what most stock wheel are i believe. thats what my stock celebration wheels are anyways. as for tire size, i think most guys that get 18's go with 235/40 size tires

 

This may help in choosing a wheel.
For best handling you want to keep the thread width of the tire within 1/2 inch of the width of the rim. Also try to keep the same relationship between the outside and inside of the rim to the wheel mounting pad as in the stock wheels. Try not to use spacers as they can be dangerous.
Wheel Offsets 101: The Basics of Wheel Offsets - SummitRacing.com
How to Measure Wheel Bolt Circles and Backspacing - SummitRacing.com

 

I'm not a huge fan of those wheels either, but the width/offsets should be ok for you, especially if you don't want to go too low (which you prolly don't wanna do with racelands anyway).

If you decide to go with the raceland coils, ST's, or anything that doesn't have a stainless shock body, you're gonna want to hit the threads with some silicone spray to keep them from corroding.