SAR

After blowing out three 17" wheels and 235/45/17 Michelin PS2's on my a6 2.7t on a lovely car-width Michigan expressway pothole, I finished up the winter with my stock 16" wheels with winter tires.

As replacements, I ordered 18" R8 style wheels from Lakeshore Wheel, 18 x 8 et35. The wheels fit fine over the calipers without spacers before mounting tires.

The issue is the tires. The tire dealer suggested a Goodyear Eagle F1 all season as a moderate cost alternative to new PS2's, which I got in a 235/40/18 size to fit my car. After mounting, they went to install the wheels on the car, and the tire shoulder hits part of the front suspension. This was solved with 5mm spacers, which works, but looks odd as the tires are pushed out past the fender lip.

My question is this: why did 235/45/17 PS2's fit the car fine, but the 235/40/18 Eagle F1 do not?

The F1's have what I would call a very square shoulder, which I don't recall on the Ps2's. Do I just need a different brand of tire, or am I stuck with spacers for some reason? Tire dealer will take them back if I wish.

Thanks for your help.

2.7tDallas

I used 245/40ZR-18 Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport XL on my 18x8.5 rs4 reps ET 38 with no issues

SAR

Sport suspension here.

Press

i ran 255/40/18's on my car with no issues whatsoever

BernieBenz

If you blew out 3 17"s on your pot holes, why would you go to 18"s?

marctnts

18x8, 42mm offset, with 235/40/18 Kumho ECSTA ASX. I only have about 1/2 inch clearance to the suspension, but no problems.

2.7t @Altitude

as the tire profile (or lack of) is the real culprit for damage.

im_cecil

The lower the tire profile, the higher the tire pressure, too. The tire is the cushion.

So how is the larger wheel better for potholes?

SAR

Because I will run these summer only, when (most) potholes are fixed.

SAR

This isn't a theory folks, but an real issue with my setup- any ideas as to the problem or solution?