Kevin70

I'm still poking around looking for winter tires and have located a set of new 17 x 8 45 mm offset rims with good snow tires already mounted.

The tires are 225/55/17 in size. I often see the recommendation for 225/50/17.

The 50 series tire has a section size of 4.5" while the 55 series has a section size of 4.87"

My question is will the 55% tire section be a fitment problem on a S3? Is the extra .75" in overall tire height going to cause the tires to rub in the wheel wells?

Kevin70

I believe I answered my own question.

If my math is correct the stock 225/50/19 will be 27.8 inches tall while the winter 225/55/17 will be shorter at 26.7 inches.

example : Width (converted to inches) * Aspect Ratio * 2 + Rim Diameter

If anyone sees fault in this let me know.

Thank you !

DennisMitchell

This site will help you calculate the difference of different wheels and tires visually.

Custom rims, wheel tire packages for your ride - RIMSnTIRES.com

Kevin70

Thanks Dennis ! That is a handy site.

gamegenie

Slightly off topic.
I'm still waiting for the daily tempeture to average in the low 40s so I could put on my Winter wheels. It's still too warm for it right now

I don't think we're going to see those temps till early-to-mid December.

Also these warmer winters suck, last year I barely got to drive my A3 in snow.


Seen this headline on the news this morning.
Warming set to breach 1C threshold - BBC News


Makes me wonder how much has VAG contributed to that with diesel gate.

Fixeroh

Think one of the bigger concerns is making sure the 17 inch wheel can clear the brake rotors and calipers properly. Can't imagine rubbing problems due to overall diameter but a wheel with an inside diameter too small may cause problems. Don't think a 16 inch wheel would fit properly.

Antarius

The stock size for 19s are not 225/50/19

The stock size for 19s are 235/35/19

The "exact" equivalent diameter to that in a 17" tire

is 215/50/17

All that said... 225/55/17 Should fit, depending on if the wheels fit over the brakes, most 17s should fit, but it's not guaranteed. (not an issue with A3 with its smaller brakes)

Audi Junkie

Tire size calculator

OptikA3

Thanks for that link!

I'll add my on question to this thread rather than creating a new one.

I currently have 225/40R18s on my new A3. Audi recommends 225/45R17 if I downsize for winter tires, but according to the calculators online, a 205/50R17 is closer to the diameter of the stock 18s. Which would you guys go with?

I'm going to pick up a set of 17x7.5" Alzor wheels that look identical to stock.

Squalo

FWIW, I went with 225/50R 17 WS80 Blizzaks on 17x7.5 Andros R9s.