Audi A3 saloon

[Buckhyne]

I'm new at this so forgive me. Does anybody know if you can fit the alloys specified for the A3 saloon to the Sportback model. I'm thinking about buying the Sportback model but don't like the choice of alloys much?

[Odhran]

They will almost certainly fit.

[va1o]

No reason why not as its the same chassis, I'd be very surprised if they didn't fit!

[Dr G]

Possibly very slight differences in offset.

[Buckhyne]

Thanks for your replies. Not sure what slight differences in offset means. When I asked the dealer it was a flat refusal that this could be done. If this is simply a marketing or sales issue. Audi could lose a sale.

[Dr G]

...because they don't want you returning 2k+ of wheels when you find they don't clear the strut, don't want any warranty arguments, don't want Audi yelling at them. They are very fairly covering their arses

The offset determines how far into (or out of) the arch the wheel will sit.

An ET45 wheel has its hub mating face 45mm offset from centre. i.e. it will sit 45mm further into the arch than an ET0 wheel of the same width.

If (made up figures) your factory wheels are ET50 and you fit ET30 you may find that they hit the wheel arch on lock or compression. The other way round they may not clear the inner arch or a suspension/brake part.

Explained here:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?t...

Edited by Dr G on Wednesday 24th September 12:02

[Buckhyne]

Thank you. Now I can have the discussion with Audi knowing that.

[Adrian E]

Stick pictures up of the wheel you like vs one you can spec for what you want and I'll tell you wheel specs - will at least tell you whether there is likely to be an issue

[Buckhyne]

Hi Adrian thanks for your help.

I can't get the photos to upload.

But:

The Sportback wheel is - 17" x 7.5J '5-arm' design with 225/45 R17 tyre.

The Saloon wheel that i like is - 17" x 7.5J '5-spoke' design with 225/45 R17 tyre.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[fangio]

Identical!

[Adrian E]

....apart from the offsets.

I've had a brief look and Etka doesn't give wheel design names, just basic line drawings to go by.

The spec of the Sportback wheels is 7.5x17 ET51

The saloon is the same but is ET43

There is 1 wheel design they do in both offsets.

Basically it means the wheels intended for the saloon will stick out 8mm further. It is quite likely these are not type approved for the vehicle, which is why they are refusing to allow you to spec them from the factory. I would expect that if you said you were happy for it to be delivered on a different set of wheels and for the dealer to order and swap the saloon rims that you want fitted, recognising that an extra sum of money will have to change hands or you end up with a set of 'winters' and some spare summer tyres, then they will be happy to accommodate.

[daydotz]

If you do change them I wouldn't mind seeing how it looks