Sorry for the beginner questions... but I need a push in the right direction, I just purchased a 07 MCS without the sport package and am upgrade the wheels/tires.

Part 1: Been looking at Team Dynamics ProRace 1.2s or OZ Ultras. I've been told to get an offset of 45 for the TDs from one person and and offset of 37 for the OZs which has got me confused. The car isnt lowered and I obviously don't want any rubbing. I don't know what offset to stick with.

Part 2: I am totally lost for what tire (brand) I might go with and what general size I should stick with. I know that brand is a matter of taste and can be subjective, but I am coming from 8 years of having Audi Quattros and shopping for tires on an AWD heavier car is much different than this little FWD mini. Was looking at Kumho Ecsta SPTs or Goodyear Eagle F1 Allseasons.


Any advice and/or education is extremely appreciated .

Alex

 

Can't really help with part 1 of your question besides to say that those are both very good looking (IMO) and quality wheels.

What size wheels are you getting? That will determine what size tires are best. If 17", 205/45/17 is the OEM size. I have 215/45/17 on mine as I prefer the looks, greater tire selection and lower prices.

They're the Goodyear Eagle F1 A/S and I cannot say enough good things about this tire. Great ride, awesome handling, low noise, sweet looks and not too bad of a price. If you don't have to deal with winter conditions and/or won't be using the same tire year round, you'd probably be better of with the GS-D3's though.

Best of luck

 

I am personally a believer of winter tires for winter and summer tires for summer... esp. since you are buying a new set of rims, you'll have the spare set... better perf. in each season... assuming that you need winter tires (hence the all-seasons)

I'm running Hakkas for winter and F1 GS-D3s in summer...

 

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice.

Are the 215/45/17 a lower profile than the OEMs?

 

Same profile as the OEM 17's, lower profile than the OEM 16's and higher than the OEM 18's.

 

I was thinking about the F1s, I live in NJ so I get a mix of everything. Probably going to go the Team Dynamics route to save a few hundred. You think 215/45/17 on TDs 17x7s is a decent set up?

 

The 215/45/17 are a nice street set, good handling and enough sidewall for decent comfort and rim protection. I'm running the Konig feathers which have a 40et, that puts them out about 5mm more then stock, gives it a more aggresive stance and no rubbing issues. The OZ's at 37et won't have a problem either. I went with the Konigs because they were really close to the weight of the OZ's, but about $350 cheaper per set. I used that money toward my suspension upgrades. Check out rim pics in my gallery.

 

Yea, I dig the Feathers too, just can't find anywhere that has them in stock.

So, is the lower the et = the more they stick out? Just trying to see if I should go 40 or 45. Are 45s more like stock?

 

Yeah, the lower the number the more they stick out. From the center of the rim if the mounting hole plate was at 60et, then it would go on too far and hit the shock towers, if it was only 10et, then it wouldn't go on far enough and the rim would stick out past the wheelwell, like an Indy car
To the best of my knowledge 45 is stock recommendation.

I got my Feathers through American Tire Depot, I think Alta carries them as well, not sure if their in stock though. I had to wait 2 months for mine to come in :( because the first ones they ordered had the wrong bolt hole size.
R56 uses 14mm holes, R53's use 12mm holes, a lot of the aftermarket rims use 12mm, so make sure you get 14mm if you have an 07 R56 MCS.
Also, the stock bolts on an 07' are a unique thread pitch (1.25) most tuner bolts are 1.5, so make sure you use your stock bolts.
And last but not least, Torque to 103ft lbs.