About This Audi S3 Premium Plus 2018 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Audi S3 Premium Plus 2018 sits on a set of 17×8.5 / 17×8.5-inch DTM DTM-FF30 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose DTM 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 DTM DTM-FF30 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: DTM DTM-FF30 on the Audi S3 Premium Plus 2018
I walked around this 2018 Audi S3 at the shop, and the stance immediately caught my eye. We chose the DTM-FF30 in a 17x8.5 setup with a 45 offset all around. That square setup keeps the handling predictable and lets you rotate those tires for better life.
That 45 offset sits perfectly flush with the factory fenders on this S3. We cleared the massive front calipers without needing any annoying spacers. The hub bore matches up tight, so you get zero vibration at highway speeds.
Downsizing to a 17-inch wheel was a bold move, but it pays off in the corners. You get a meaty sidewall that absorbs the road impact much better than those thin 19-inch factory tires. It gives the car a purposeful, track-ready look that screams performance.
The lowering springs pull the car down just enough to close that ugly wheel gap. We checked the clearances twice, and there is no rubbing on the fender liners during hard cornering. You get that aggressive drop without ruining the daily drive quality.
Look closely at the spokes and you see how they draw your eye toward the center. The barrel lip depth provides just enough shadow to add dimension to the wheel face. It feels substantial and planted on the asphalt.
We did keep a close eye on the front inner fender plastic near the screw points. On full lock, you have plenty of room, but don't go crazy with a massive tire width. Stay within the 245-wide range to keep things clean and rub-free.
What We Recommend for Audi S3 Premium Plus 2018 Owners
If you own an S3, stop chasing massive 20-inch wheels that ruin your ride quality. Stick to 17 or 18-inch wheels to keep your unsprung weight down. Your transmission and suspension will thank you for the extra agility.
For the S3 platform, an offset between 40 and 45 is your absolute sweet spot. Anything lower than 40 and you will start poking out past the fenders. Poking looks cheap and kicks rocks all over your clean paint.
We always suggest a square setup for these Haldex-equipped cars. Staggered wheels on an AWD platform can mess with your wheel speed sensors and traction control systems. Keep all four wheels the same size to ensure your differential stays happy.
Don't fall for the trap of extreme tire stretch just to tuck your wheels. A little stretch is fine for clearance, but too much ruins your rim protection. Match your tire width to the 8.5-inch wheel width for the best contact patch.
If you decide to go with lowering springs, check your alignment as soon as they settle. Even a small drop changes your camber settings significantly. A good alignment saves your tires and improves how the car bites into corners.
Style and Build Analysis
The Silver Machined finish on these DTM wheels pops hard against the S3 paint. It brings a classic, refined motorsport aesthetic that never goes out of style. The brightness of the machined face catches the sun and highlights the spoke geometry.
Compared to the flat black wheels everyone runs these days, this finish feels premium. It gives the car a sophisticated edge that looks right at home at a coffee shop or a track day. You see the detail in the design rather than just a dark blob in the wheel well.
The proportions here are spot on for a compact sports sedan. By filling the arches properly, the car looks lower and wider than it did stock. It balances the aggressive lines of the S3 front bumper perfectly.
I have seen hundreds of S3 builds, but this one feels cohesive. Many guys throw on whatever is trendy, but this setup shows restraint and actual engineering thought. It looks like something the Audi engineers should have done from the factory.
This car has a presence that demands you look twice. It captures that elusive mix of daily utility and serious enthusiast flair. It stands out by being clean rather than loud or overdone.
Why We Love This Build
When the light hits those Silver Machined faces, the whole car transforms. We love how the wheels tuck right into the arches, giving the S3 a hunkered-down, hungry stance. It looks like it wants to hunt down apexes on every back road it finds.
This build proves that you do not need flashy gimmicks to make an Audi look incredible. It hits the perfect balance of form and function by respecting the car's original design language. Every time I walk past this S3, I find myself staring at the fitment.
This is the kind of setup that makes you look back every single time you park the car. It is smart, it is aggressive, and it is built for the driver who actually loves to drive. Grab this setup and stop settling for boring factory rollers.
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 2018
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: DTM DTM-FF30
- Wheel Size: 17×8.5 / 17×8.5
- Offset: 45 / 45
- Wheel Finish: Silver Machined
- Tires: Continental Extremecontact DWS06 Plus 245/45 25.7″x9.6″ / 245/45 25.7″x9.6″
- Suspension: Lowering Springs
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 17×8.5 / 17×8.5-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 17×8.5 / 17×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
