Thought I'd document my process of fitting 19 x 9.5 wheels and tires... Still awaiting custom spacer/adapters.
I know many are running 19 x 9.5 wheels with various tire brands/sizes---but maybe someone will find it interesting or can add input...
--Decided upon and ordered VMR's V713 19 x 9.5 et45 wheels in Silver. Unfortunately, VMR's production run schedule is unpredictable... It's anybody's guess when/if VMR will have these wheels available in a 19 x 9.5 with a closer offset for the RS6. They are $250 each and would be direct bolt-on for our B8 S4 Friends---so thought it would be an easy resale if everything falls thru!
--Wheels arrived. Test fitted and confirmed the need for a 15mm spacer/adapter... I call it a spacer-adapter because it spaces the wheel 15mm AND adapts a wheel with a 66.6mm centric bore to a 57.1mm centric hub. Ordered the spacer/adapters from Adaptec.
--Test fit a 275/35/19 Michelin Pilot Super Sports... Not gonna happen--too tall to fit within the upright. Then tried a 275/30/19... It was a tight fit---but it fit. But, I didn't care for the relatively thin sidewall height. AND, thought the lower profile would yield a harsher ride---MN roads are bad, and getting worse. Finally tried a 265/35/19... Sidewall looked much better IMHO. Noticeably wider foot print than stockers---but the tire rubbed on the upright "nub." See next step and pics below. Ordered the 265/35/19 Michelin's PSS.
---Ground the upright "knob" off... I choose to use a belt sander---seemed to work well and imparted very little heat to the upright. Then polished with a random orbital (DA.) Now that the "knob" is gone, the tie-rod end appears to be the next limiting factor of inside wheel/tire clearance... So, if the wheel rubs anywhere, it'd likely be the tie-rod end.
---Spacer/adapters should arrive in 10-14 days.
Reply With Quote