question about S03 width:
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question about S03 width:
i am currently running 235/40/18 potenza RE730s. ive heard that S03s run wide. should i go back to a 225? ive had rubbing with the 235s (kw coilovers set pretty low) already. would it be worse with a 235 S03?
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Go to Tirerack.com or the manufacturers web sites and check actual width.
Yes, tires of the same marked size do vary in actual size from brand to brand, model to model. Forinstance, Yokohamas seem to run quite wide. I'd check other brands.
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S03s are pretty wide.. I looked up the numbers at tirerack...
Section Width: (width at widest point in tire)
S03 235/40/18 = 9.7"
RE730 235/40/18 = 9.5"
S03 225/40/18 = 9.2"
RE730 225/40/18 = 9.1"
Tread Width: (width at tread)
S03 235/40/18 = 8.5"
RE730 235/40/18 = 8"
S03 225/40/18 = 8.3"
RE730 225/40/18 = 7.7"
SO the S03s in 225s might only be a little narrower than your RE730 in 235s (maybe just enough to keep from rubbing). If your RE730s are rubbing with 235, you might end up slicing an S03 235 open. I'd stick with 225 S03s, unless you're planning on rolling the fenders a little. Also a side note: 225/40/18 is the correct size for 18s to match the 225/45/17 stock size rolling distance.
Good choice on tire!
S03 235/40/18 = 9.7"
RE730 235/40/18 = 9.5"
S03 225/40/18 = 9.2"
RE730 225/40/18 = 9.1"
Tread Width: (width at tread)
S03 235/40/18 = 8.5"
RE730 235/40/18 = 8"
S03 225/40/18 = 8.3"
RE730 225/40/18 = 7.7"
SO the S03s in 225s might only be a little narrower than your RE730 in 235s (maybe just enough to keep from rubbing). If your RE730s are rubbing with 235, you might end up slicing an S03 235 open. I'd stick with 225 S03s, unless you're planning on rolling the fenders a little. Also a side note: 225/40/18 is the correct size for 18s to match the 225/45/17 stock size rolling distance.
Good choice on tire!
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Yup they are wider and a little heavier. I had 225/40/18 re730's and I had my car low
On my h&r coilovers... But when I bought the 225/40/18 so3's.
I had to raise my car UP!, It was rubbing hard in the front and back. And I even rolled my fenders, front and back. And I still get occassional rubbing on hard turns now.
But the stick so damm good, if only they gave more life. I went thru 2 sets this year.
I had to raise my car UP!, It was rubbing hard in the front and back. And I even rolled my fenders, front and back. And I still get occassional rubbing on hard turns now.
But the stick so damm good, if only they gave more life. I went thru 2 sets this year.
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Interesting point about the "correct size"...
My S4 came w/P6000s (225/45/17). According to TireRack's specs, the tire's overall diameter (on a 7.5" rim) is 25.4" and has 823 revs/mile. Based on that, the 235/40/18 S03 (on an 8.5" rim - like my BBS CHs) has an overall diameter of 25.4" and 820 revs/mile. That is much closer than the 225/40/18 S03 (diameter = 25" and 833 revs/mile).
Of course, the other two OEM S4 tires (Bridgestone RE040s and Michelin Pilot Sports) have significantly different specs than the P6000s, but I'm sure Audi doesn't change any calibration based on the supplied tires. Plus there isn't any accounting for tire wear.
-Dave Pramanik
Of course, the other two OEM S4 tires (Bridgestone RE040s and Michelin Pilot Sports) have significantly different specs than the P6000s, but I'm sure Audi doesn't change any calibration based on the supplied tires. Plus there isn't any accounting for tire wear.
-Dave Pramanik
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From: Michigan, USA
That 25.4" diam of P6000 225/45/17 is a typo on TireRack's website...
Pirelli's website lists 24.9" :<ul><li><a href="http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/tyres/catalog/tyre_product.jhtml?selected=dimdata&catid=US_H P&productid=2612">P6000 Specs</a></li></ul>
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That makes more sense.
In looking up the specs of 6 tires in 225 & 235 sizes, I found three more discrepancies between TireRack's data and the manufacturer's websites.
It does seem that 225/40/18 is a better match to the OE spec tires (225/45/17s) based on that data, but a 225 tire still looks way too stretched on an 8.5" wide rim... I still think I'll go with 235s next time around, despite the descrepancy in tire diameter.
-Dave Pramanik
It does seem that 225/40/18 is a better match to the OE spec tires (225/45/17s) based on that data, but a 225 tire still looks way too stretched on an 8.5" wide rim... I still think I'll go with 235s next time around, despite the descrepancy in tire diameter.
-Dave Pramanik