Randolph

I assume both these cars are the same wheel size and suspension setup. Am I correct? I ask cuz I have to get new tires and wheels. Now I'm being forced to as these tires are no good anymore. I want to go with 17's. When I'm online looking at wheels if I type 87 5KCSTQ I get hardly anything to choose from but if I type in 89 200TQ I get tons of stuff to pick from.

So, here's my question...will whatever that fits (supposedly) an 89 200TQ fit an 87 5KCSTQ?

Randolph
87 5KCSTQ
93 928GTS

Kneale Brownson

Look at your present wheels. They're probably a 7 X 15J with an ET of 45. They'll have a bolt spacing of 5 X 112.

You can get all sorts of wheels in larger diameters than 15 that will have the proper bolt hole spacing and offset.

Be aware, however, that Audi uses hubcentric wheels. That means the wheels are mounted to a raised portion of the hub so that the weight of the vehicle is carried by the rim, not by the bolts holding the rim to the hub. You are better off with wheels that will fit there. Otherwise you need to add spacers.

Also, Audi uses wheel bolt holes that are bulbous--the holes are countersunk in a depression that's like a bowl-- and bolts with a rounded shoulder to match the wheel holes. A lot of aftermarket wheels are designed for bolts with flat shoulders, so you either need different bolts or find the proper wheel configuration.

Why do you want to go to larger diameter wheels? If you look at all the larger diameter wheels around, you see the tires have shorter sidewalls. This means a pothole can damage the wheel a lot more easily. It also means the ride generally becomes a bit more harsh. Audi designed the suspension to go with 15-inch wheels and taller tire sidewalls. The newer cars with larger wheels and shorter sidewalls generally have suspensions designed to suck up the harshness that results from their wheel configurations. Your car doesn't.

You'll find a good many folks here who do things to their cars for aesthetic purposes that don't add a whit to the original intended performance of the car. You'll see larger wheels, lowered suspensions and hugely wide tires, all of which detract, in my opinion, from the overall quality of the car. If they want to rally or track their cars, the changes may make sense. If they want to take their wife to the hospital to get their new baby delivered, it makes no sense at all.

Eric NY

Randolph,

Agree with Kneale on this one. Largest i would go is 16's, (et 45) and i would only put audi OEM's on at that. A lot of the aftermarket rims (affordable ones that is) are nowhere near as strong as the OEM wheels. (BTDT with mille miglias!)

The 5 spoke, 45 et Audi wheels look decent, and can be found relatively cheap.

Eric

Bisqueth

get fuchs, be happy

Randolph

Do you really think moving to a 17 would make the suspension that much more susceptible to damage? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to make the car look like it should be on an episode of Cribs, but I have to say that the 15inch wheel looks lousy. Little wheel and lot's of tire IMHO makes a car unattractive. I think it's etched in stone that I must go to a 17. It's only two inches less tire and there are some excellent tires on the market. Also, I'd think the car would handle much better than it currently does.

Randolph
87 5KCSTQ
93 928GTS

hals86cgt

Only because I got them for free (from a good friend) with next to new PS2's on them and I had to have new tire to pass inspection.

The car was refitted by the PO with 200 springs so it sits a bit higher and MUCH firmer than stock (or my 90 200 TQA).

I dont know the offset as I type now, but its on because the car sits higher that I can use these wheels... there is VERY LITTLE clearance, in addition any real load in the back causes rubbing (passenger rear) over bumps.

I dont mind the look, but for what the car's intention is, I will probably replace them with either 15's or 16's in the near future.

Just a little info to help out.

Hal

87 5KTQA
90 200 TQA
86 Coupe GT

Randolph

Hmm, that's interesting to know. Rubbing huh? I wonder if the overall diameter of your 17's with smaller tires is larger than the factory 15's with larger tires. You'd think as long as the overall diameter is the same you'd get no rubbing. If that's the case I suppose (rolling eyes) I could go with 16's but I really don't want to. (insert baby throwing temper tantrum)Thx for the response.

Randolph
87 5KCSTQ
93 928GTS

jurq

but since I'm running Bils HD's, the suspension movement is not that dramatic. My guess is if you ran a stiffer damper, rubbing would be less of an issue if at all.

HTH,
Jim