Audi 8V RS 3 Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Models Covered in This Guide

2015-2021 Audi RS3 (8V)

The third-generation Audi RS3 is factory-equipped with massive 8-piston 370mm front brakes and a 19" wheel and tire setup in a reverse-staggered configuration. While the standard reverse-staggered setup provides the car with fewer understeer characteristics out of the box, the lack of being able to rotate the wheels and tires makes it less than ideal for track use. Taking into consideration the Quattro AWD system and front-biased weight distribution of the RS3, a rotatable square setup is a must to ensure even tire wear at all four corners. Shedding unsprung weight by downsizing to an 18" wheel will also improve upon the overall handling, braking, and acceleration characteristics of the car.

Our 18x9" ET42 Flow Formed SM-10 compliments the third-generation Audi RS3 perfectly for both street and light HPDE use, while our 18x9.5" ET41 Forged SM-10RS is the best fit for enthusiasts wanting a dedicated track setup without any compromises. With a 5x112 bolt pattern and a 57.1mm center bore, our VW/Audi-specific SM-10 and SM-10RS provides a complete bolt-on fitment without the need for centering rings, spacers, or hub adapters. Designed with brake clearance as a priority, both the 18x9" ET42 SM-10 and 18x9.5" ET41 SM-10RS can clear the massive factory steel and carbon ceramic 8-piston 370mm front brakes with room to spare.

These fitments are ready-to-bolt-on, typically without any modifications, and provide a meaningful increase in wheel width over stock. The 18" fitments listed in this section are an ideal choice for the enthusiast who regularly drives their Audi on the street but still wants to participate in a few HPDE's as well. These fitments are a great match for a completely stock or lightly modified RS3. With a focus on brake clearance, our 18" fitments are able to clear the standard 8-piston 370mm factory RS3 brakes with ease, as well as a variety of aftermarket BBK's.

Front & Rear: 18x9” ET42 with 255/35-18 tires

• Available in Flow Formed SM-10 design only.
• Direct fit
• 265/35-18 tires can also be used but may require some additional negative camber when using more aggressive compounds.
• No additional wheel hardware is required (centering rings, hub adapters, spacers).

APEX Staff tire recommendations:

• All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4: 255/35-18, 265/35-18
• Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S: 255/35-18, 265/35-18
• Extreme Performance Summer: Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R: 255/35-18, 265/35-18 Hankook RS-4: 265/35-18 Falken Azenis RT660: 265/35-18
• R-Compound: Nitto NT01: 255/35-18, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2: 255/35-18, 265/35-18 Toyo Proxes R888R: 255/35-18, 265/35-18

These fitments are the perfect match for weekend track warriors and hardcore racers seeking to maximize the wheel and tire size that they can fit on their Audi RS3. These aggressive wheel specs will occasionally require supportive modifications commonly found on track cars, such as increased negative camber. While certain configurations can provide a complete direct fit on a stock car, additional modifications may be required for a rub-free fitment depending on your suspension setup and specific tire selection. With a focus on brake clearance, our 18" fitments are able to clear the standard 8-piston 370mm factory RS3 brakes with ease, as well as a variety of aftermarket BBK's.

Front & Rear: 18x9.5” ET41 with 265/35-18 tires

• Available in Forged SM-10RS design only.
• Additional front and/or rear negative camber may be required when using more aggressive tire compounds.
• No additional wheel hardware is required (centering rings, hub adapters, spacers).

APEX Staff tire recommendations:

• All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4: 265/35-18
• Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S: 265/35-18
• Extreme Performance Summer: Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R: 265/35-18 Hankook RS-4: 265/35-18 Falken Azenis RT660: 265/35-18
• R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2: 265/35-18 Toyo Proxes R888R: 265/35-18

Front & Rear: 18x9” ET42 with 245/40-18 tires

• Available in Flow Formed SM-10 design only.
• Direct fit
• 255/35-18 tires can also be used
• No additional wheel hardware is required (centering rings, hub adapters, spacers).

APEX Staff tire recommendations:

• All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4: 245/40-18, 255/35-18

Whether you are a casual weekend track warrior that still enjoys your car on the street, or a hard core racer competing for a spot on the podium, negative camber is a vital part of chassis setup that has many benefits. Not only will adding negative camber create more room for wider wheel and tire configurations, it more importantly improves handling, turn-in and tire longevity. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.

Still have questions?

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