Wheel Measurements and Advice

[DrZEUS]

I am currently running stock s-line wheels (powder coated them matte black) and was wondering if these are 18x8 or 18x8.5? What ET are they?

I am looking to pick up a set of VMR 710's and was told to go with 18x8.5 with ET 45. My assumption and belief is that the s-line wheels are ET 35. I like the offset on s-lines and want my 710's to sit the same way. I notice everyone going with 19x8.5 ET 35, but I am also lowered on FK coils and I'm pretty low.

Here is a pic for reference:

[mec]

No clue what your wheels are. Just pull one off and everything is cast into the backside of the spokes. size and et.

Always go 19's! 19x8.5 in the front, 9.5 in the rear.

[AWDTURBO]

If thats your low, your not low. 19x8.5 et 35 will be more flash with the fender than a 19x8.5 et 45. I ran 19x8.5 et 35 low than the picture your posted and I was fine with 235/35/19 tires. No rubbing.

[mec]

My parents came into town and took my car while I went to go swap the tires on their car, man it looked so pretty rollin on 19's, I wish I could have taken a picture, you would have been instantly convinced.

[A4 Quattro]

Correct me if I'm wrong, az, but the B7 wheel fitment is the same as the B6, yeah? That being said, I can't tell you with absolute certainty what your OEM specs are, but if you're looking at an 8.5" wheel, you could run a +35 no problem, that's what of my sets are.

[DrZEUS]

Thanks for the tip mec. I checked the markings on the inside of one the wheels.

8.0J x 18H2, ET43 (what does the J and H2 mean?)

Does a wider wheel affect the overall fitment?

For example, if I go with 18 x 8.5, ET45, that means I already have 5 mm on ET 43, that's 2.5 mm on each side of the wheel, which in theory should make the ET45 actually like ET42.5 when compared to fitment with an 18 x 8, ET43 wheel. Is this correct?

[mec]

Thanks for the tip mec. I checked the markings on the inside of one the wheels.

8.0J x 18H2, ET43 (what does the J and H2 mean?)

Does a wider wheel affect the overall fitment?

For example, if I go with 18 x 8.5, ET45, that means I already have 5 mm on ET 43, that's 2.5 mm on each side of the wheel, which in theory should make the ET45 actually like ET42.5 when compared to fitment with an 18 x 8, ET43 wheel. Is this correct?

You'll notice it reads "6J x 14 H2 ET45". The "6J x 14" part of that is the size of the wheel rim - in this case it has a depth of 6 inches and a diameter of 14 inches (see the section directly below here on wheel sizes for a more in-depth explanation). The "J" symbolises the shape of the tyre bead profile. (see rim contours below)
The "H2" means that this wheel rim is a double hump design (see hump profiles, below). The "ET45" figure below that though symbolises that these wheels have a positive offset of 45mm. In other words, they have an inset of 45mm. In my case, the info is all stamped on the outside face of the wheel which made it nice and easy to photograph and explain for you. On most aftermarket wheels, they don't want to pollute the lines and style of the outside of the wheel with stamped-on information - it's more likely to be found inside the rim, or on one of the inner mounting surfaces.
Trivia note: ET comes from "Einpresstiefe" in German - rim offset (actually "inset", literally).



http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html

[jnm]

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html

Great link!

[DrZEUS]

Great info and link. But can someone confirm if my calculations and train of thought are accurate in my previous post?

[mec]

on an 8" wheel you have 4" to either side of the offset if the offset is 0. But you have +43mm so you have 4"-43mm from the hub, this pushes the wheel deeper into the fender, the less offset you run the more the wheel will stick out. So if you are looking at 19x8.5 with a 45 offset then you have (8.5/2)"-45mm, that is where the face of the wheel would be in proportion to the hub.