Thoughts on 19x9.5 wheel vs 19x9?

[Rocky182]

I'm looking into some new wheels, and some of them don't come in 19x9 (which I believe is the stock wheel size on the RS4). Is there a noticeable difference when adding that extra .5, and if so, is it good or bad? Thanks

[AussieDan]

It all depends on the tires you're going to run and the fitment you prefer. I went to a 19x9.5 with 275 section tires to get a more square fitment, but most manufacturers recommend 9-10" as the acceptable range for a 275. With a 255 section tire a 9.5" wheel is going to give you a very slightly more "stretched" fitment than a 9" wheel, but again it's well within most manufacturer's recommended range and in many cases will give you a crisper turn-in than the same 255 tire on a 9" wheel.

[dparm]

In general, wider means: more lateral traction, decreased wet traction, more unsprung weight, decreased steering feedback
In other words, narrower means: less lateral traction, improved wet traction, less unsprung weight, improved steering feedback


You have to ask yourself what your priorities are. Is the stock wheel showing itself to be insufficient? Are your tires sufficiently wide to take advantage of the wider wheel?

My thinking on wheel/tire sizing has always been to stick with the OEM size, or to use the +1 approach. The manufacturer tests various wheel and tire sizes and picks what they think is the best match for the car's capabilities. Granted, they are also balancing some other factors like cost and safety, but in general I find that deviating from stock can ruin the car's driving feel.

That being said, I don't think going from 9.0 to 9.5 will make a huge difference.

[koolade9]

In general, wider means: more lateral traction, decreased wet traction, more unsprung weight, decreased steering feedback
In other words, narrower means: less lateral traction, improved wet traction, less unsprung weight, improved steering feedback


You have to ask yourself what your priorities are. Is the stock wheel showing itself to be insufficient? Are your tires sufficiently wide to take advantage of the wider wheel?

My thinking on wheel/tire sizing has always been to stick with the OEM size, or to use the +1 approach. The manufacturer tests various wheel and tire sizes and picks what they think is the best match for the car's capabilities. Granted, they are also balancing some other factors like cost and safety, but in general I find that deviating from stock can ruin the car's driving feel.

That being said, I don't think going from 9.0 to 9.5 will make a huge difference.

Well said.

Another thing to keep in mind is cost... Bigger, wider tires are typically more expensive, and in some sizes, harder to find, limiting your choices. There's also trade-offs between running a narrow, more aggressive compound vs. a wider, harder compound. Think about what you're really trying to accomplish, then find the best solution to fit your needs. Many people go with a wider tire just because it's the thing to do... The best way to look at it; if there's no problem, why fix it?

[Rocky182]

I'd really prefer to just keep the stock size of 9" wide, but the wheels I'm interested in only come in 19x8.5 or 19x9.5. I'm looking at AG M310's, M510's, and also VMR V710's in particular.

One more question: I like the BBS CH-R wheels in titanium, and they do come in 19x9, but I hate the polished rim they have on them. How difficult would it be to somehow get that polished rim finished in just the normal color?

[badbluers4]

I'd really prefer to just keep the stock size of 9" wide, but the wheels I'm interested in only come in 19x8.5 or 19x9.5. I'm looking at AG M310's, M510's, and also VMR V710's in particular.

One more question: I like the BBS CH-R wheels in titanium, and they do come in 19x9, but I hate the polished rim they have on them. How difficult would it be to somehow get that polished rim finished in just the normal color?

Go with 9.5 for sure. I'm pretty sure the silver rim on all of the bbs are removable.

[Rocky182]

Go with 9.5 for sure. I'm pretty sure the silver rim on all of the bbs are removable.

That's great, I didn't realize that. I'm definitely going BBS then.
Last question: (and thanks for the help so far!) The BBS 19x9's come in et20, et44, and et53. What do you guys recommend?

[WinterRunner]

ET 20 would be closest to our OEM offset of 19

[Blackstallion]

ET 20 would be closest to our OEM offset of 19

OEM wheel is et29 no? I see you have 10 mm spacers--fills fenders nicely. I assume thats why you said et19.

[singleframe]

ET 20 would be closest to our OEM offset of 19

Our stock wheels:

19X9 | 5X112 | 29 offset | 57.1 centerbore | 255/35/19

[WinterRunner]

yes 29, I had a typo..... Sorry boys.

[WinterRunner]

But 20 would be perfect without spacers....IMO

[musanoadsaba]

Yes, go with the 20 offset if it is available
I thought the 19x9 et20 was only in 5x120 bolt pattern though

[Rocky182]

Yes, go with the 20 offset if it is available
I thought the 19x9 et20 was only in 5x120 bolt pattern though

Shit, I wasn't even looking at the bolt patterns yet...
I would have to get 19x9.5 et35 or et45, so I'm assuming the et35 with a 10mm spacer would be my best bet?

[AussieDan]

It all depends on the tire and suspension you're intending to run. With a 255 you're going to be able to run a lower offset than a 275.

I'm running 19x9.5 M310s on 275/30R19 RE-11s and with an effective et30 front and et28 rear (et40 with 10mm and 12mm spacers) on H&R springs, B5 perches & factory arms it just clears. You could run a more aggressive offset if you run adjustable upper arms and more front camber, taller suspension, or narrower tires.

If you're going with the BBS I'd recommend the ET35 wheel, but get a 66mm center bore wheel and use motorsport-tech spacers (link in the above thread) so you have the option to run a <10mm spacer if et25 is too aggressive for you.

[Rocky182]

It all depends on the tire and suspension you're intending to run. With a 255 you're going to be able to run a lower offset than a 275.

I'm running 19x9.5 M310s on 275/30R19 RE-11s and with an effective et30 front and et28 rear (et40 with 10mm and 12mm spacers) on H&R springs, B5 perches & factory arms it just clears. You could run a more aggressive offset if you run adjustable upper arms and more front camber, taller suspension, or narrower tires.

If you're going with the BBS I'd recommend the ET35 wheel, but get a 66mm center bore wheel and use motorsport-tech spacers (link in the above thread) so you have the option to run a <10mm spacer if et25 is too aggressive for you.

That company makes wheel hub adapters for 5x112 --> 5x120, and these offset the wheel so I can go with the et53 19x9 and get the hub adapters built to 25mm so that brings me down to et28. I think this is what I'm going to do.

[AussieDan]

That's a good way to end up with vibration. Using a larger center bore wheel with the correct spacer is the same or stronger than a wheel with a center bore that matches the hub. The arrangement you're proposing is adding a second bolted connection between the wheel and the hub, resulting in a weaker assembly overall and an additional opportunity for misalignment and/or failure. There's no reason to do that when wheels with the correct bolt pattern are easily available.

[Rocky182]

Motorsport tech claims that they are:

"Hub Centric to Vehicle and Wheel Centric to Vehicle Wheel
Fits hub perfectly tight and, where wheel bolts to adapter, a custom machined adapter lip fits perfectly tight into wheel's center hole. This extra measure positively influences the ride and kills vibration."

However, I agree if anything this will lead to a weaker assembly.

My car is stock regarding wheel-affecting stuff. Would I have issues using 9.5" wheels with stock et29 offset or would those fit nicely?

[AussieDan]

These are fine: http://motorsport-tech.com/wheel_spacers.html

These are a last resort when you can't get a wheel with the right bolt circle: http://motorsport-tech.com/wheel_adapters.html

If you want the BBS CH-R your best best is going to be the CHR-131 which is 19x9.5 et35 5x112, with a spacer between 5 and 15mm depending on your tires & suspension. A 6mm spacer for an effective et29 will give you plenty of clearance for the tire and the inner lip of the wheel. I can't say whether it would clear the front brake calipers, but my guess would be that it would be fine.

With 275 tires that will be a pretty nice fitment, but with 255s you might want a 10mm (or larger) spacer to fill the fenders a little more.

[Rocky182]

Last question because I'm new to buying aftermarket wheels, I normally just stick with stock:
When I'm looking at Motorsport Tech's website and buying the spacers, do I want them just hub centric to vehicle hub, or also wheel centric to wheel?
Also, it asks for the center bore of the wheel but on BBS's website it just says PFS. What's that mean/what should I enter?

[AussieDan]

You absolutely need the spacer to match both the vehicle hub (57.1) and the wheel center bore. Whoever you're buying the wheels from should be able to tell you the center bore. I believe BBS have a system with centering rings for different center bores on the same wheel.

[DocRS4]

Last question because I'm new to buying aftermarket wheels, I normally just stick with stock:
When I'm looking at Motorsport Tech's website and buying the spacers, do I want them just hub centric to vehicle hub, or also wheel centric to wheel?
Also, it asks for the center bore of the wheel but on BBS's website it just says PFS. What's that mean/what should I enter?

I have the BBS CHRs 19 x 9.5 size that had a 66mm center bore 5 x112 bolt pattern.......I have used the motorsport tech adapters (10mm hub & wheel centric) to make the conversion of the 66.6mm centerbore to the 57.1 on the RS4, which work perfectly with the elongated bolts. I am running Michelin Supersports 265/30/19 with 10mm spacers, stock suspension. Wheels look great, turn in is much better than stock.

its been about two weeks since putting this set-up on the car. The tires look fab and fill out the arches, but I noticed on sharp or sweeping right turns with front suspension compressed I get the faintest of scrub (happened twice) on ONLY the front drivers side wheel well. I popped out the retaining screw in the top of the outer-lip wheel arch and its seems to have resolved. however, I'll most likely go back to 255/35/19 tires size or run a smaller adapter (eg: 8mm on the front) to be absolutely sure of no rubbing issues.

[DocRS4]

You absolutely need the spacer to match both the vehicle hub (57.1) and the wheel center bore. Whoever you're buying the wheels from should be able to tell you the center bore. I believe BBS have a system with centering rings for different center bores on the same wheel.

Yes they do......BBS are very helpful and you can simply buy their kit or use the motorsport-tech adapter (my preferred choice) as you'll need spacers in either scenario

[dillonc]

I have the BBS CHRs 19 x 9.5 size that had a 66mm center bore 5 x112 bolt pattern.......I have used the motorsport tech adapters (10mm hub & wheel centric) to make the conversion of the 66.6mm centerbore to the 57.1 on the RS4, which work perfectly with the elongated bolts. I am running Michelin Supersports 265/30/19 with 10mm spacers, stock suspension. Wheels look great, turn in is much better than stock.

its been about two weeks since putting this set-up on the car. The tires look fab and fill out the arches, but I noticed on sharp or sweeping right turns with front suspension compressed I get the faintest of scrub (happened twice) on ONLY the front drivers side wheel well. I popped out the retaining screw in the top of the outer-lip wheel arch and its seems to have resolved. however, I'll most likely go back to 255/35/19 tires size or run a smaller adapter (eg: 8mm on the front) to be absolutely sure of no rubbing issues.

Hi DocRS4, would you mind to share your set-up on 19" CH-Rs?
I am looking at those wheels too recently but most of the RS4 owners opt for 20" ones.
Wonder how 19" would look on an RS...

Thanks so much!

[DocRS4]

I'll try and post some pics later or PM me an email address and I'll send you some (iPhone pics I took yesterday...not great but should help)

Set-up is standard OEM suspension, 10mm motorsport-tech adapters/spacer, with 265/35/19 Michelin Supersport tires (came with rims, otherwise I'd have gone for 255/35/19, OEM size), BBS CHR's are 19/9.5 J size. All wheels are the same size and set-up, used as summer wheels/tires.

OEM rims have winter tires on them at the moment.

[DocRS4]

Some pics

[DocRS4]

...and one more that might help...

[dillonc]

DocRS4, thanks for sharing! Nice ride you got there!
I ended up ordered the 19" as well after looking at yours!
And the road quality here in Asia just sucks... so was very sketchy about going 20s.