i just got a set of wheels for free. they are off of a s8 i no they are the same bolt pattern, but are they to wide, there 18x8.5. i going to lower my car after winter also. and what size tires should i run as well thanks

 

Too wide?

8.5 will fit on a B5 fine. What's the offset of those wheels?

As for tires, usually people go with 235/40/18 for 8.5. I'd personally go with 225/40/18 for some mild stretch.

 

what they look like?

 

if they're flat fives i will hate you forever

 

free s8 wheels sounds pretty good.. I also wanna know which ones you're talking about. the only 18" s8 wheels I know of are 18x8 and look identical to b5 s4 wheels but 18" (not the same as b6 s4 wheels)

op, pictures of your car...?

 

^This.

 

pics to decide is the eternal loathing will commence!

 

8.5? You'll want 255mm wide or wider. You can go lower than that, like 235, but it'll be easier to scratch the wheels and IMO look like ***. The wider wheels will give you more traction (generally), at least in the dry (snow is often better with skinnies) but they will cost you some gas mileage and stuff due to additional friction. Traction is friction, but friction is also energy lost.

 

All else being equal (including hardness), wider tires will not provide additional traction.

The weight of the car will be spread over a larger contact patch, reducing the PSI at any given point, but still being equal to the mass of the car X gravity.

Skinnier tires are better in the snow because the tire has to plow through less material. The skinnier tires will also be more effective in compact the snow beneath the tire.

 

Go tell that to the people on the G8 forum I'm on who HAVE to upgrade to 305+ because their ridiculous torque can't hook at all with the stock 245s.