Adding Wheel Spacers Really "Appear" to To Make The Car Look Lowered

[dal59]

I know there is already a thread dedicated to wheel spacers. Which sizes to use, and pics of how they look.

This post is specifically to comment on how the car actually "looks" lowered as a result of adding the wheel spacers. I thought it may be of interest to those that want a lowered look, but may have some concerns on how best to lower their car, how it may ride after it is lowered and how it will affect their warranty. Obviously, if you just want your car slammed and do not care about these other afore mentioned issues, read no further.

However, for me, adding the spacers was all I needed. Moving the wheel / tire out reduced the gap, cost only $300.00 (parts and labor), kept the factory ride quality and I do not have to worry about speed bumps, or any other "normal" road conditions.

I have not had a chance to get pics of the car with the new spacers yet, but I have included measurements of my current gaps, front and rear.

Front Gap.jpgRear Gap.jpg

As you can see the front is approx. 3/4 of an inch. The rear is approx. 1 inch.

[thadoggfatha]

Looks good!


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[ywang98]

This would be my next thing.

[IamRacer X]

I did spacers within a month of purchasing the car new. Being I see so few other RS5s, I tend to forget what a difference it makes. For whatever reason lately Ive seen more RS5s... wow, spacers make a huge difference in how these cars look. I keep saying I want to lower my car, then I look at its stance and realize it already sits lower then most of my other cars after they were lowered!!

[dal59]

I did spacers within a month of purchasing the car new. Being I see so few other RS5s, I tend to forget what a difference it makes. For whatever reason lately Ive seen more RS5s... wow, spacers make a huge difference in how these cars look. I keep saying I want to lower my car, then I look at its stance and realize it already sits lower then most of my other cars after they were lowered!!

I agree. My car was at the shop for a few weeks, so I had not seen it for a while. When I went to pick it up at the dealership of course it was sitting amongst 50 other Audi's, but you could immediately see the difference in its stance. To me, it is now perfect and I would never lower it. Like you said, I had lowered my vette to its lowest setting and it did not look this good.

[ywang98]

Question:

With the 12/15 mm combo, on your parking aid screen front camera, the two edge lines (left and right), how close are those lines in relation to the actual edge of the tire after installing the spacer?

The reason I am asking is because that without spacers, those lines are actually quite far from the actual edge of the tires. But since extending the wheels out with spacers, how much closer are the edges of the tires to those lines? Does it feel there is still a bit of space left, or the edge of the line IS at the edge of the tire?

This is for parking really close to the curb or around drive-through's. I don't want to scratch my tires or wheels.

Thanks.

By the way, who's spacers did you go with?

[dal59]

Question:

With the 12/15 mm combo, on your parking aid screen front camera, the two edge lines (left and right), how close are those lines in relation to the actual edge of the tire after installing the spacer?

The reason I am asking is because that without spacers, those lines are actually quite far from the actual edge of the tires. But since extending the wheels out with spacers, how much closer are the edges of the tires to those lines? Does it feel there is still a bit of space left, or the edge of the line IS at the edge of the tire?

This is for parking really close to the curb or around drive-through's. I don't want to scratch my tires or wheels.

Thanks.

By the way, who's spacers did you go with?

Gosh, you know that is funny. I never even considered that or gave it a moments thought. However, since you now brought it to my attention, I just converted 15 mm to inches and it comes out to .59 of an inch. So, it seems as though it would nearly have no impact at all. And, the wheels do not "poke" out past the fenders. They are flush which was a bigger issue for me. No worries!

I happened to go with those offered by APR, but I am sure there are several offerings. One of the things I liked about APR is they remove material where it is not necessary, thereby making them a tiny bit lighter. If you look at them you will see what I mean.

[MoralMiscreant]

Seemingly insignificant differences in offsets and tire sizes can make a surprising difference in how much the tire fills the wheel well. It also does it in a way that is more uniform through the entire arc of the wheel well so, visually, if done right, I actually think it looks better than lowering. I recently took my factory RS5 coupe wheels and put them on my SQ5 with a slightly taller than stock tire. Even though the vehicle sits a tiny bit higher because of the taller tire, it looks *way* lower. The BC Forged I have on my RS5 already have a +12 offset over factory all around but, rather than install the ABT HAS springs I have sitting here, after seeing the change on my SQ5, I'm giving serious consideration to running a tiny bit taller/squarer tire on the RS5 to fill the wheel well a bit more.

[Daaavid]

An entire discussion about spacers but no actual photo of the wheel being spacer-ed? Blasphemy.

Another point to consider is that some tires will run wider or smaller even in the same size. I just replaced my Hankooks with Continentals and the difference in sidewall height and width have changed the stance of my car marginally.

Also, please consider the differential wear-and-tear if you are changing the geometric width as you do not want too much of a variance from front to rear.

[ywang98]

Gosh, you know that is funny. I never even considered that or gave it a moments thought. However, since you now brought it to my attention, I just converted 15 mm to inches and it comes out to .59 of an inch. So, it seems as though it would nearly have no impact at all. And, the wheels do not "poke" out past the fenders. They are flush which was a bigger issue for me. No worries!

I happened to go with those offered by APR, but I am sure there are several offerings. One of the things I liked about APR is they remove material where it is not necessary, thereby making them a tiny bit lighter. If you look at them you will see what I mean.

I appreciate the feedback!
Yeah, I am just paranoid about scratching the wheel, if I used the camera lines as a parking reference. You know that feeling when you hear even the lightest "crunch"...

The front spacers that you installed, that is 12mm, not 12.5mm, correct? I've seen some offerings in that width, and the price is pretty good.

[dal59]

Seemingly insignificant differences in offsets and tire sizes can make a surprising difference in how much the tire fills the wheel well. It also does it in a way that is more uniform through the entire arc of the wheel well so, visually, if done right, I actually think it looks better than lowering. I recently took my factory RS5 coupe wheels and put them on my SQ5 with a slightly taller than stock tire. Even though the vehicle sits a tiny bit higher because of the taller tire, it looks *way* lower. The BC Forged I have on my RS5 already have a +12 offset over factory all around but, rather than install the ABT HAS springs I have sitting here, after seeing the change on my SQ5, I'm giving serious consideration to running a tiny bit taller/squarer tire on the RS5 to fill the wheel well a bit more.

I agree. Not sure what size BC wheels you now have on your RS5, but before getting the spacers, I considered going up one size on my tires. If I remember correctly, going to a 275 / 35 /r20 increased the tire diameter an entire inch. I think that would have made the car appeared to be lowered.

[dal59]

An entire discussion about spacers but no actual photo of the wheel being spacer-ed? Blasphemy.

Another point to consider is that some tires will run wider or smaller even in the same size. I just replaced my Hankooks with Continentals and the difference in sidewall height and width have changed the stance of my car marginally.

Also, please consider the differential wear-and-tear if you are changing the geometric width as you do not want too much of a variance from front to rear.

You're right!! I have to get a picture posted. :)

Also, I did look at the tire sizes of the original Pirelli' and the new Michelin' and they are nearly the same size. I believe the Pirelli' were actually fractionally larger (0.2) in diameter and width.

[dal59]

I appreciate the feedback!
Yeah, I am just paranoid about scratching the wheel, if I used the camera lines as a parking reference. You know that feeling when you hear even the lightest "crunch"...

The front spacers that you installed, that is 12mm, not 12.5mm, correct? I've seen some offerings in that width, and the price is pretty good.

I went with 12, but I defy anyone to be able to see the difference between 12 and 12.5.

[ywang98]

I went with 12, but I defy anyone to be able to see the difference between 12 and 12.5.

LOL yeah, .5mm ain't gonna make a difference in looks. Just wondering if it will rub during hard corners.

[dal59]

Okay, Finally. Here are a couple of pics. This is with stock suspension and EO tire sizes. I hope you can see in the pics that the wheels are flush and I personally would not want my car lowered. This way I keep the factory ride quality, my warranty, my money and I can still carefully make it over speed bumps.

RS5-1.jpgRS5-2.jpg

[IamRacer X]

Okay, Finally. Here are a couple of pics. This is with stock suspension and EO tire sizes. I hope you can see in the pics that the wheels are flush and I personally would not want my car lowered. This way I keep the factory ride quality, my warranty, my money and I can still carefully make it over speed bumps.

RS5-1.jpgRS5-2.jpg

Looks awesome!! As I mentioned earlier, I feel like these cars stock ride height is nearly perfect. When the tank is full the rake is not how I like it. Every time I think about lowering, I quickly remind my self how little I would lower it. Same goes with wheels, I think about after market wheels.... keep coming back to this car really looks great as is. But time will tell.

[dal59]

Looks awesome!! As I mentioned earlier, I feel like these cars stock ride height is nearly perfect. When the tank is full the rake is not how I like it. Every time I think about lowering, I quickly remind my self how little I would lower it. Same goes with wheels, I think about after market wheels.... keep coming back to this car really looks great as is. But time will tell.

Thank you. I know what you mean. Fortunately, or unfortunately, my tank does not seem to stay full for very long. Now wheels, that is another subject that keeps coming up in this house. I like to stay with OEM wheels and I do see a real possibility of getting a set of those new 5 Arm Bronze wheels. I do not think I would have too much trouble selling these wheels. Even if someone is not crazy over them, the northern guys always seem to need a second set of wheels for winter. :)

[Burrcold]

Thank you. I know what you mean. Fortunately, or unfortunately, my tank does not seem to stay full for very long. Now wheels, that is another subject that keeps coming up in this house. I like to stay with OEM wheels and I do see a real possibility of getting a set of those new 5 Arm Bronze wheels. I do not think I would have too much trouble selling these wheels. Even if someone is not crazy over them, the northern guys always seem to need a second set of wheels for winter. :)

You are going to spend SO much on those milled bronze wheel. What you will get for your flag wheels will probably cover a quarter of the cost, if that. I know you don't want a set of the 2019 silver milled cut wheels and powder coat them, but it would honestly be so much cheaper and nobody would know the difference (especially if you could get the exact bronze color code).

[dal59]

You are going to spend SO much on those milled bronze wheel. What you will get for your flag wheels will probably cover a quarter of the cost, if that. I know you don't want a set of the 2019 silver milled cut wheels and powder coat them, but it would honestly be so much cheaper and nobody would know the difference (especially if you could get the exact bronze color code).

I thought about all of that, and you are sooooooooooo right!! However, the price of those wheels are starting to come just a bit and you can now get a set for $7,500 when they were $10,000. Yes, still an awful lot of money, but then minus the approx. $2,500 I would get for my wheels and now we are down to 5K. And, yes, still a lot of money, but I think they just look so amazing with the Sonoma Green paint. Tough decision..

[Burrcold]

I thought about all of that, and you are sooooooooooo right!! However, the price of those wheels are starting to come just a bit and you can now get a set for $7,500 when they were $10,000. Yes, still an awful lot of money, but then minus the approx. $2,500 I would get for my wheels and now we are down to 5K. And, yes, still a lot of money, but I think they just look so amazing with the Sonoma Green paint. Tough decision..

I highly doubt you would get $2,500 for your wheels...and $5k on top of that to get a bronze OEM wheel is insane (totally my opinion of course! :))

[303 Spartan]

I thought about all of that, and you are sooooooooooo right!! However, the price of those wheels are starting to come just a bit and you can now get a set for $7,500 when they were $10,000. Yes, still an awful lot of money, but then minus the approx. $2,500 I would get for my wheels and now we are down to 5K. And, yes, still a lot of money, but I think they just look so amazing with the Sonoma Green paint. Tough decision..

The market for used car parts (particularly wheels) around your area may be different than mine. However, in my experience you'd be extremely lucky to get $1k for those wheels. Probably closer to $700.

If you can somehow get $2.5k for them, then props to you, sir!

[Kapetan93]

Where would you get 12mm/15mm spacers for the RS5? And how hard to install yourself?

[IamRacer X]

I got my spacers from Martin at Nemesis. If you can jack up a car and remove the wheels, even one at a time, you can do the spacers they are easy. You can message Martin here. https://www.audizine.com/forum/membe...mminez-Nemesis

[dal59]

The market for used car parts (particularly wheels) around your area may be different than mine. However, in my experience you'd be extremely lucky to get $1k for those wheels. Probably closer to $700.

If you can somehow get $2.5k for them, then props to you, sir!

Yeah, I have no idea what their value may be. Whatever it is will help offset the cost of the new wheels, should I decide to pull that trigger. Actually, thankfully, the wheels currently on there are finally starting to grow on me. And, after all the balance issues I had, I really just want to leave it as is, and enjoy it.

[IamRacer X]

Here’s why I can’t seem to pull trigger on lowering my car. Looks pretty great at stock height...

[thadoggfatha]

Here’s why I can’t seem to pull trigger on lowering my car. Looks pretty great at stock height...

Looks fantastic! What size spacers are those?


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[IamRacer X]

They are 12mm F 15mm R
Very happy with them. Being you have a coupe your stock wheels have a different offset. May want to check what’s best for the coupes.

[ywang98]

I got my spacers! But no time to put them on...

[thadoggfatha]

They are 12mm F 15mm R
Very happy with them. Being you have a coupe your stock wheels have a different offset. May want to check what’s best for the coupes.

+1 , I can’t seem to determine the consensus on this.


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[dal59]

Here’s why I can’t seem to pull trigger on lowering my car. Looks pretty great at stock height...

I cannot imagine lowering your car with the way it looks and sits. For me, with the OE 20" wheels, OE tire size and these spacers, it sits perfectly.

[dal59]

I got my spacers! But no time to put them on...

Oh, something tells me you will find the time. :)

[JWreck]

Here’s why I can’t seem to pull trigger on lowering my car. Looks pretty great at stock height...

Do you get any rubbing with the wheels/tires out that far?

[MoralMiscreant]

+1 , I can’t seem to determine the consensus on this.


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The coupe has different offsets on the factory wheels but most people still do +12/+15 or just +12 all around. When I bought my BC Forged wheels Nemesis recommended I go with ET14 which is the same as a +12 spacer on stock wheels/offset (they are ET26).

[thadoggfatha]

The coupe has different offsets on the factory wheels but most people still do +12/+15 or just +12 all around. When I bought my BC Forged wheels Nemesis recommended I go with ET14 which is the same as a +12 spacer on stock wheels/offset (they are ET26).

Will it make the wheels look flush? I have been thinking 15mm front 20mm rear. But if that’s overly aggressive would like to stay on the safe side. I don’t want to rub or make contact with the fenders. I am running Michelin PS4S 275/30/20 with the stock wheels!

[MoralMiscreant]

Will it make the wheels look flush? I have been thinking 15mm front 20mm rear. But if that’s overly aggressive would like to stay on the safe side. I don’t want to rub or make contact with the fenders. I am running Michelin PS4S 275/30/20 with the stock wheels!

I would probably ask in the A5/S5/RS5 wheel thread. Everyone has their own definition of "flush". People have definitely run the setup you mentioned but I don't recall if there was any rubbing. It might poke out just a tiny, tiny bit but, some people would consider that flush.

[ywang98]

So I installed the EMD kit today (12.5/15). With the factory Hankook, I think it may rub since the tires do overhang the wheels more than a typical tire like a Michelin. To me, this may seem a bit (just a bit) too much, but I haven't driven the car after the spacer install. So, I hope it won't rub during hard cornering or big dips.

[ywang98]

Ok, I went out to drive the car. With the stereo off, I tried to corner hard and swerve hard, but nothing crazy. No rubbing!!! I'll keep watching out. I do have the DRC with cross oil lines, so it is by default flatter during cornering.

Here is a shot that I just took at the gas station, after my test drive, fully gassed up. It really does look lower!

[dal59]

Ok, I went out to drive the car. With the stereo off, I tried to corner hard and swerve hard, but nothing crazy. No rubbing!!! I'll keep watching out. I do have the DRC with cross oil lines, so it is by default flatter during cornering.

Here is a shot that I just took at the gas station, after my test drive, fully gassed up. It really does look lower!

Wow, that looks awesome!! I very seriously doubt you will get any rubbing. And, personally, I do not see how, or why anyone would go any lower than the way your car now appears.

[ywang98]

Wow, that looks awesome!! I very seriously doubt you will get any rubbing. And, personally, I do not see how, or why anyone would go any lower than the way your car now appears.

Thank you! It just looks that it might rub during really hard compression, but hopefully I'll never encounter that situation.

[IamRacer X]

Ok, I went out to drive the car. With the stereo off, I tried to corner hard and swerve hard, but nothing crazy. No rubbing!!! I'll keep watching out. I do have the DRC with cross oil lines, so it is by default flatter during cornering.

Here is a shot that I just took at the gas station, after my test drive, fully gassed up. It really does look lower!

Looks great. You wont get any rubbing. Ive been running spacers since the car was 1 month old (Nov '19) and never ever rubbed even with passengers in rear.