Wheel Size Vs Handling Help

Biggeeman

Biggeeman

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Hi looking for some help regarding wheels size vs handling.
2001 s3

currently on 19" wheels fronts are pzero rears are eage f1s near new condition
handling is amazing with this setup proper go kart handling actually struggle to screech the tyres.

other wheels I have are stock 17" on michelins pilot sport near wear limit
handling is pretty crapy on these feels a bit wolly and letting go abit.

Was told the stock size wheels is better handling capabilities but it doesn't feel it, or is it my tyres on the 17"
Are not as good? I think the pzeros are crap in the wet from what I read.
i want the best handling setup for the car both wet and dry if it means 4 new tyres on the 17s that's cool.

Could any one advice the best plan thanks.
btw I've not long owned the car and returning from the bike scene so pleases ignore my crap knowledge
 
I ran 19s for something like 10 years on my S3, I thought it handled great too, but it really depends on what suspension you are running? My current suspension setup just does not work with my 19s, so I sold them earlier this year. I now run 18" BBS rims which are almost 5kgs lighter per corner, and the car feels might lighter round corners. I've also ran my OEM 17s with tyres near tread limiters, and it handles great aswell.
 
jojo said:
I ran 19s for something like 10 years on my S3, I thought it handled great too, but it really depends on what suspension you are running? My current suspension setup just does not work with my 19s, so I sold them earlier this year. I now run 18" BBS rims which are almost 5kgs lighter per corner, and the car feels might lighter round corners. I've also ran my OEM 17s with tyres near tread limiters, and it handles great aswell.
Click to expand...

Hi I have blistien suspension all round with anti roll bars"s aswell the 19s are rs4 wheels.
Runs like a go kart on them to be fair.
I tried the 17s a big difference a lot more unstable.
 
17's are a sweet spot for handling, lower unsung weight combined with being more progressive in letting go, whereas higher lateral grip wider rubber , larger diameter elastic bands just snap with oversteer.
 
I was on 18s but I bought some 17s which, at the time, were purely for winter use... I was so amazed by how much better it drove on 17's that I've no sold my 18s! . .

Love how it looked on the 18s but this deffo becoming more of a drivers car than a posers car...
 
Gazwould said:
17's are a sweet spot for handling, lower unsung weight combined with being more progressive in letting go, whereas higher lateral grip wider rubber , larger diameter elastic bands just snap with oversteer.
Click to expand...

Good point did actually nearly crash it with a horrible snap breaking loose from the rear.
 
VAG-Slag said:
I was on 18s but I bought some 17s which, at the time, were purely for winter use... I was so amazed by how much better it drove on 17's that I've no sold my 18s! . .

Love how it looked on the 18s but this deffo becoming more of a drivers car than a posers car...
Click to expand...

That's what I'm after a winter setup what tyres u running?
 
superkarl said:
you may be confusing the firm and unforgiving ride (you must be on like 30 or 35 profile) of the 19s, for 'good handling'.
Click to expand...

Yeh 235/35/19, how can I compensate this then for the 17" rim again excuse my ignorance been out the car game for a while thanks.
 
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Biggeeman said:
Yeh 235/35/19, how can I compensate this then for the 17" rim again excuse my ignorance been out the car game for a while thanks.
Click to expand...
as you can see most people favour the smaller rims. I myself went from 18s to 17 and wont be going back.

its more forgiving, it feels better to me, more feedback. and with extra rubber moving around under the car theres more grip.
Tyre wise that's a whole other debate and you'll get much more varied responses. Go with what you know. You said the p-zeros are decent, try them in 225/45 on a 17s, or the goodyear F1s.

another probably far more important thing to consider is the geometry settings and alignment on your car. That will make the world of difference.
 
superkarl said:
as you can see most people favour the smaller rims. I myself went from 18s to 17 and wont be going back.

its more forgiving, it feels better to me, more feedback. and with extra rubber moving around under the car theres more grip.
Tyre wise that's a whole other debate and you'll get much more varied responses. Go with what you know. You said the p-zeros are decent, try them in 225/45 on a 17s, or the goodyear F1s.

another probably far more important thing to consider is the geometry settings and alignment on your car. That will make the world of difference.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks for the reply I'll keep the 17s on the now, had a little blast today in the wet and was very impressed with the handling that was with pretty worn out tyres aswell.
 
When I bought my S3 it came with some 17" RS4 style wheels which I believe were designed for an A3 (they seemed a bit inset on the flared arches). Anyway, I bought some 20mm spacers for mine which has made the car a bit more stable and looks a lot better for it.

A good set of tyres on 17" wheels should be all you need. I've also read that fuel economy / 0-60 times etc are all affected by wheel size. Go too big and you start to lose out due to extra weight, friction etc.

Apparently, 16 to 17" are the best all-round wheel size for most cars.. 18" starts to sacrifice a little bit in one respect but gains in another.. and 19" and above slows the car down and obviously roughens the ride up due to there being less rubber to take all the impacts.
 
Biggeeman said:
Hi looking for some help regarding wheels size vs handling.
2001 s3

currently on 19" wheels fronts are pzero rears are eage f1s near new condition
handling is amazing with this setup proper go kart handling actually struggle to screech the tyres.

other wheels I have are stock 17" on michelins pilot sport near wear limit
handling is pretty crapy on these feels a bit wolly and letting go abit.

Was told the stock size wheels is better handling capabilities but it doesn't feel it, or is it my tyres on the 17"
Are not as good? I think the pzeros are **** in the wet from what I read.
Click to expand...

PZero is known for being one of the best wet road tyres available, fantastic wet grip on mine. Better that either the Eagle F1 and Pilot Sport 3 I ran previously.

In the dry they were all similar except the PS3's lasted a bit longer.

Have a read of this: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tyre-guides/45327/pirelli-p-zero
 
never heard of a heavy S3 described as go kart handling before
 
can't say is I'm that bothered what anyone has done to an S3, they do not have a basic decent suspension design to begin with, they are heavy and were never designed to be a world beater on the handling front.

A car like a 7 style caterham or a radical / atom / elise etc will have go kart like handling, thats my point.

Im sure you have spent a load of money making your S3 handle much better than it did, still won't make it a go kart it can never be made to handle like one..

That said i love S3's and have owned a few but they are what they are, a decent hatchback.
 
Your welcome to a shot of mine like I said, might change your pov. It ain't no atom but it can go round a corner like stink I've surprised a few people tbh.
 
I'm sure its great (for an S3) but and i repeat my comment was I've never heard of a heavy S3 described as go kart handling, and to be fair I'm sure you will agree that term is over used, surely the Atom have these characteristics and by your own admission its not like that, so its fair to say whilst you may of surprised people with how you car handles its still not really go kart like (thats all i was saying)

Its also very relative to what you are used to, I've seen posts on here where people say their cars with 275hp are scary fast and ballistically quick etc, they obviously haven't experienced really fast cars i guess
 
Last edited:
i have been, just makes me laugh when i hear go kart handling associated with a shopping hatchback
 
Prawn said:
How do you explain the Pinderwagon with less power passing an Atom 300 on the ring then :laugh:
Click to expand...
Sorry to invade I have a quick question for you prawn... Your federal rsr 595 tyres how are they in the wet I'm about to purchase a set but with autumn and winter coming up is it wise?
 
Mrharris2 said:
Sorry to invade I have a quick question for you prawn... Your federal rsr 595 tyres how are they in the wet I'm about to purchase a set but with autumn and winter coming up is it wise?
Click to expand...

Will PM you to avoid clogging up the thread :thumbs up:
 
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Having driven a few karts, why would you want you car to handle like that anyway ?
 
quick mk2, thought he atom had a few 'moments' earlier on so maybe his pampers were full. I would imagine a well driven atom with a little more power than the mk2 (i think thats what you said) and weighs a good few hundred kg's less would not be slower than a mk2 golf, id love to say a mk2 golf is the best thing ever as I'm building one as you know Prawn.
 
I think Niges is a special case :laugh:

Atom was driven by Dale of BTG fame, VLN racer, auto journalist, somewhat handy at the wheel, although in fairness, it wasn't his car.

it does go to show that a well build and developed hatch back can still be a VERY capable thing though.

But it won't feel like a Go Kart, you don't need to lean to steer for starters :laugh:
 
atoms are pretty hard to master from what I've been told, a guy i know that races a fair bit and instructs / drives for experience day companies said the atom is great when it all comes together but thats not all the time.

i totally agree that shopping car can be made to handle well and obviously far better than it would of left the factory, clearly though going off track a little with regards to my first comment
 
back on topic, 17's are great, and 19's are horrid :laugh:

So if you like it now on 19's and road tyres, you'd really LOVE it on 17's with some better tyres!
 
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