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 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch Momo-RF-Series Bernina wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Momo-RF-Series 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 Momo-RF-Series Bernina creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Momo-RF-Series Bernina on the Audi S3 Premium Plus 2017
I walked around this S3 for twenty minutes at the last meet. Those Momo RF-Series Bernina wheels in 18x8.5 with a 38 offset sit perfectly on the MQB chassis. The fitment pushes the wheel face right to the edge of the fender line.
That 38 offset is aggressive for an Audi S3 but it works here. It gives the car a much wider track than the factory wheels ever could. You get that flush look without needing a bunch of ugly spacers.
The Bernina design clears the stock calipers with ease. I checked the barrel gap and there is plenty of room for heat dissipation. You won't have any contact issues with the brake hardware on this setup.
Hub bore is spot on for the Audi platform. The wheels bolt right up without any shaky hub rings. Everything feels solid and secure when you torque the lugs down.
The coilovers changed the game for this specific build. By dropping the car, the owner pulled the top of the tire inward just enough to clear the liner. It creates a seamless transition from the tire shoulder to the fender arch.
Watch out for the front fender liners on big bumps. If you dial in too much rake, you might get a light rub at full lock. Keep the height sensible and you will stay rub-free on the street.
The barrel lip depth looks deeper than I expected for an 8.5-inch wheel. It gives the wheel a nice concave profile that draws your eye straight to the center cap. The spokes transition perfectly from the hub to the outer rim.
What We Recommend for Audi S3 Premium Plus 2017 Owners
If you want this exact look, stick with the 18x8.5 size. It is the sweet spot for the S3 because it keeps the unsprung weight down. You get better turn-in response compared to those heavy 19-inch factory options.
Avoid going wider than 8.5 inches unless you plan to do major fender work. Any wider and you will start fighting the fender arch every time you hit a pothole. Stay in that 38 to 45 offset range to keep your steering geometry clean.
I always suggest a square setup for these cars. You want the ability to rotate your tires to get the most life out of them. Staggered setups on an AWD platform like this just kill your handling balance anyway.
Don't fall for the massive tire stretch trend. Run a tire that actually protects the rim edge and keeps the contact patch flat. A 235/40/18 tire is the gold standard for this specific wheel and offset combo.
Watch your tire choice carefully. A blocky, square-shoulder tire will rub way faster than a rounded performance tire. Check the actual section width of your tires before you mount them up.
Most guys mess up by buying wheels that are too cheap or too heavy. The Momo RF series is rotary formed, which means you get a light wheel that won't crack the first time you hit a crater. Spend the money once and do it right.
Style and Build Analysis
The Gunmetal finish is the secret weapon here. It creates a subtle, moody contrast against the Audi paint that screams OEM-plus. It looks refined but mean enough to show you mean business.
The Bernina design features clean, sharp spokes that break up the visual bulk of the S3. It feels like a modern evolution of the classic Euro wheel style. The lines follow the car's body panels without looking too busy or cluttered.
When you stand back, the car looks planted. The proportions are balanced perfectly between the wheel diameter and the tire sidewall. It fills the arches exactly how a performance sedan should look.
I have seen hundreds of S3s, but this one stands out because it lacks the "boy racer" vibe. It is sophisticated, clean, and purposeful. It looks like it could have rolled off the assembly line if Audi had a sense of humor.
The light catches the metallic flecks in the Gunmetal finish perfectly. It changes from light grey to deep shadow as you walk around the car. That dynamic finish gives the wheels a high-end feel that flat black wheels just can't touch.
This build proves that you do not need wild camber or body kits to win. A quality set of wheels, a solid coilover kit, and a clean finish carry the weight. It is a masterclass in tasteful modification.
Why We Love This Build
I love this S3 because it hits the sweet spot between a daily driver and a canyon carver. When the sun hits those Gunmetal Berninas, the whole car just pops. The wheels tuck into the arches with surgical precision, showing exactly how much work went into the coilover setup. It looks aggressive without trying too hard.
There is something about this specific combination that grabs my attention every single time. It feels like a complete package that respects the original design of the Audi while adding just the right amount of edge. This is how you build an S3 the right way. Stop dreaming and go get your fitment dialed in.
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: Momo-RF-Series Bernina
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 38 / 38
- Wheel Finish: Gunmetal
- Tires: Continental Extremecontact DWS06 Plus 245/40 25.7″x9.6″ / 245/40 25.7″x9.6″
- 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 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-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 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
