Wheel spacers are utilized to improve the appearance, performance and handling of a car by widening the track width and reducing the offset of the wheels. Wheel spacers can also help to fit larger wheels and tires, or to clear brake calipers and suspension components.
But how do you choose the right size of wheel spacers for your Audi A3? There are several factors to consider, such as the bolt pattern, the center bore, the thickness and the quality of the spacers. In this post, we will explain these factors and give you some examples of how different sizes of wheel spacers can affect your Audi A3.
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Bolt pattern and center bore
The bolt pattern and the center bore are two important measurements that determine how the wheel spacers fit on your wheel hub. The bolt pattern is the number and arrangement of the bolts that secure the wheel to the hub. The center bore is the diameter of the hole in the center of the wheel that fits over the hub.
The Audi A3 has a 5×112 bolt pattern, which means it has five bolts arranged in a circle with a diameter of 112 mm. The center bore of the Audi A3 is 57.1 mm. Therefore, you need to choose wheel spacers that have the same bolt pattern and center bore as your car.
Thickness
The thickness of the wheel spacers determines how much they push out your wheels from the hub. The thicker the spacers, the wider the track width and the lower the offset of your wheels. The track width is the distance between the left and right wheels on the same axle. The offset is the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the mounting surface on the hub.
The thickness of the wheel spacers also affects how much clearance you have between your wheels and tires and other parts of your car, such as fenders, brake calipers and suspension components. If you use too thick spacers, you may encounter rubbing or interference issues that can damage your car or compromise your safety.
The optimal thickness of wheel spacers depends on several factors, such as:
- The size and width of your wheels and tires
- The original offset of your wheels
- The desired stance and look of your car
- The suspension setup and ride height of your car
- The legal regulations in your area
As a general rule, you should measure how much space you have between your wheels and tires and other parts of your car before choosing wheel spacers. You can use a ruler or a caliper to measure this gap. You should also check if there are any legal limits on how much you can widen your track width in your area.
To give you some examples, here are some common sizes of wheel spacers for Audi A3:
- 5 mm: This is a very thin spacer that can be used to correct minor clearance issues or to fine-tune your wheel fitment. It can also be used to fit aftermarket wheels that have a slightly different center bore than your car.
- 10 mm: This is a moderate spacer that can improve the appearance and handling of your car by pushing out your wheels slightly. It can also be used to fit larger wheels and tires or to clear brake calipers.
- 15 mm: This is a noticeable spacer that can create a more aggressive stance and look for your car by widening your track width significantly. It can also be used to fit wider wheels and tires or to clear suspension components.
- 20 mm: This is a large spacer that can transform the appearance and performance of your car by making your wheels flush with your fenders or even poke out slightly. It can also be used to fit very wide wheels and tires or to clear coilovers.
Quality
The quality of the wheel spacers is another important factor to consider when choosing them for your Audi A3. Wheel spacers are subjected to high stress and pressure from driving, braking and cornering. Therefore, they need to be made from durable and reliable materials that can withstand these forces.
You should avoid cheap or low-quality Audi A3 wheel spacers that are made from inferior materials or have poor craftsmanship. These spacers may crack, break or deform over time, which can cause serious damage to your car or endanger your safety.
You should look for high-quality wheel spacers that are made from forged aluminum alloy or billet aluminum alloy. These materials are strong, lightweight and corrosion-resistant. They can also dissipate heat better than steel or cast aluminum spacers.
You should also look for wheel spacers that have precise machining and fitment. They should have smooth surfaces and edges, and match the bolt pattern and center bore of your car perfectly. They should also come with extended lug bolts or studs and nuts that are compatible with your car and your wheels.
Brand of Audi A3 wheel spacers
BONOSS provides encompassing service and outstanding Audi A3 wheel spacers. BONOSS (formerly bloxsport) has served millions of customers and is professional in spacer production and data measurements, and is outstanding for a couple of patented designs. They provide a 10-year warranty and considerate consulting.
Customization for Audi A3 sedan. BONOSS Audi A3 wheel spacers are specially produced for most vehicle models. They are measured and processed more accurately for your Audi. Based on the data online, the mechanics of BONOSS remeasured over 95% wheel and hub data of car models, concluding that not all data online is precise enough. Moreover, BONOSS Audi A3 wheel spacers are CNC-machined precisely to 0.02mm tolerance.
High-performance products. The spacers and bolts of BONOSS are over 66 SGS and TUV certificated. The spacers are anodized AL7075-T6, while the wheel bolts are ISO grade 12.9 steel, aluminum, or titanium alloy. All of them are high strength and quality so that can prevent from breaking, bending, cracking or rusting.
Active cooling grooves. You can only see these arcuated and pretty grooves in BONOSS Audi A3 wheel spacers because this patent is devised and possessed by BONOSS. These dissipation grooves that are designed to fit aerodynamics function to cool the brake by creating space between the hub and wheel spacers. They have been proven to be capable to relieve thermal decay and improve brake response.
