I've got a 2001 A4 Avant Quattro and just got a set of refurbed 18x8 OEM wheels with a 43mm offset. They are the same style wheels that came on my car, but my present ones are 17 x 7, 43mm. I want the new ones to sit right at the wheel well edge. The tires are 225/40/18.

Obviously, and regardless of the same offset, the new wheels are wider and will rub on the control arms. I've seen folks with these wheels before and wondering what size spacer are used to get the fitment I want.

THANKS!

Here are the wheels...

 

You shouldnt have rubbing problems with those without spacers. Are you staying stock height? You'll want to be at LEAST around et25 to get a fitment like that

 

Yes, staying with stock height. I already checked the wheels on the hub when I got them and they will rub when tires are mounted.

So the difference is 18mm with what you noted. Not sure if they make a spacer with that width, but a 15mm should work huh?

 

I love that style of wheel and I'm glad you decided to stay with it, only bigger. Though maybe I'm biased

 

Still confused as to how it would rub, I have that same size tire on an 18x8.5 and at et 45 it didnt rub. May be that extra half an inch but who knows. If you're staying at stock height then I wouldnt go with more than a 15mm spacer. At stock height it will look a little goofy just to warn you haha.

 

My set up in order to be flush: 17x7.5 42 offset 17.5mm spacer - 24.5 ET (actually looking to go with a 20mm spacer.

Yours: 18x8 43 off set, wheel is 1/2" or 12.7mm wider, 5.35mm more towards the fender (relative to the 7.5 42) 7.35 more towards the wheel well. 12.5mm spacer will give you 30.5 et. When you minus the 5.35 mm you already have by being wider you get 25.15. If you get a 15 mm spacer you'll probably be lined up right with the fender.

Like the others said, being flush at stock ride height will look goofy.

I think my math is right, could be a little off though.

 

meloman - I think he's talking about rubbing against the control arm. Although I'm sure 43 won't be a problem. Possibly your tires are the cause of the running. 215/40 would be golden.

Like mentioned, ET30 and lower would be the offset you want to make the wheels sit flush. We all have different definitions of flush though.

 

It's possible I am wrong, but just mounting the wheels alone is really close. It appeared that when I will put the new tires on, it will rub inside the well. I guess it will be easy enough to find out when I get them mounted up. If they have any issues, I will just put them in the back of the car and use the old wheels and tires to get home until I figure out what spacers to get.

As far as "flush", I don't mean right at the outside of the fender. Its a general term meaning proper positioning to look proportionate...as opposed to them being sucked in too far within the wheel well.

I had read somewhere that these wheels are made for the 2002 and up RS4 which has a flared fender and thicker rotors hats for the bigger brakes. So its not just a straight swap over. I kinda remember something about using 5mm spacers with this particular wheel on the earlier cars. So I figured I would ask before I did anything.

DON'T want it to look "goofy", just aggressive

 

I know that some RS4 reps in the 17x7.5 variant require the use of a 5mm spacer to clear the front brake caliper on an s4, maybe that's what you're talking about?

 

It doesn't really make sense that OEM RS4 wheels would require spacers to go on an A4. After all, the RS4 has bigger brakes. Plus the OEM RS4 wheels have the offset of 20.