About This Audi S3 Premium Plus 2017 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Audi S3 Premium Plus 2017 sits on a set of 18×9 / 18×9-inch Enkei PF01 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Enkei for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Audi S3 Premium Plus builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Enkei PF01 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Enkei PF01 on the Audi S3 Premium Plus 2017
I walked around this S3 for twenty minutes straight when I saw it at the track. The 18x9 square setup on the Enkei PF01 wheels completely transforms the stance of this platform. Running a 35 offset brings the wheel face right out to the edge of the fender line.
The 8V chassis in the S3 is notoriously picky about wheel width. An 18x9 setup is aggressive but fits perfectly if you dial in the camber. We measured the clearance, and the PF01 design clears the stock front calipers with room to spare.
You need to talk about the hub bore when you run these wheels. These come ready for the Audi hub, so you avoid those annoying plastic centering rings. It keeps everything tight and vibration-free at high speeds.
The spoke design on the PF01 is a classic motorsports look that hides brake dust well. Because of the offset, the barrel lip shows just enough depth to look purposeful. It gives the car a chunky, track-ready aesthetic that stock wheels just lack.
The coilovers are the secret weapon for this specific fitment. They pull the wheels tucked just inside the arch to avoid rubbing on the inner fender liner. Without that drop, these 35 offset wheels would poke way too much.
Watch out for the front bumper tabs on these S3 models. We noticed that if you run a meaty tire, you might catch the liner on a hard corner. A quick trim of the plastic tab solves that problem immediately.
What We Recommend for Audi S3 Premium Plus 2017 Owners
If you own an S3, stop chasing massive 19-inch wheels. Stick to 18s because they let you run more tire sidewall for better grip. The car handles significantly better with less unsprung weight.
We always suggest a square setup for these cars. Running the same width front and rear makes tire rotations easy. It also gives you that neutral handling balance that Audi engineers intended.
Target an offset between 35 and 45 for the best results. Anything lower than 35 pushes the wheel out too far and ruins your geometry. You want to stay close to the factory scrub radius to keep the steering feel sharp.
Don't fall for the trap of buying cheap spacers to fix poor wheel choices. Do it right the first time by picking a wheel with the correct offset. Spacers just introduce failure points you do not need.
Pair these wheels with a performance tire like a Michelin PS4S or an equivalent. We see too many guys ruin a great build with budget tires. The tire is the only thing touching the road, so spend the money there.
Style and Build Analysis
The silver finish on these PF01s is pure class. It creates a subtle, high-end contrast against the factory paint that black wheels just kill. Silver highlights the spokes and makes the wheel look larger than it actually is.
This build avoids the "murdered out" trend that makes most S3s look like generic commuters. The bright finish draws your eye directly to the wheels. It screams clean, functional, and well-thought-out.
When you look at the car from the side, the proportions are spot on. The spokes reach all the way to the rim, which makes the whole package look athletic. It looks like it belongs on a mountain road, not parked at a strip mall.
Compared to other builds we feature, this one feels honest. It does not rely on massive poke or extreme stance that makes the car undrivable. It is a car built to be driven hard, and the design reflects that.
The road presence is subtle but impossible to ignore. You know the owner knows their stuff the second you see the PF01 logo. It is a nod to real track performance without being loud or obnoxious.
Why We Love This Build
I love this S3 because it looks fast even when it is sitting perfectly still. When the sun hits those silver Enkei spokes, the car glows and highlights the aggressive geometry of the fenders. It hits that sweet spot between a luxury daily driver and a serious canyon carver.
We see thousands of cars, but this one sticks in my mind because it is functional perfection. It does not try too hard, yet it outshines everything else in the parking lot. This is exactly how you modify an Audi S3.
Grab a set of these and watch your car transform overnight. You will finally have the grip and the look to match that turbocharged power. This is the ultimate upgrade for your S3.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Audi S3 Premium Plus 2017
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Enkei PF01
- Wheel Size: 18×9 / 18×9
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Silver
- Tires: Nitto Motivo 235/40 25.4″x9.3″ / 235/40 25.4″x9.3″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Audi S3 Premium Plus owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×9 / 18×9-inch wheels fit my Audi S3 Premium Plus? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Audi S3 Premium Plus owners run 18×9 / 18×9-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
