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 19×8.5 / 19×8.5-inch Fondmetal Hexis wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Fondmetal 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 Fondmetal Hexis creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Fondmetal Hexis on the Audi S3 Premium Plus 2018
I walked around this S3 for twenty minutes straight when I saw it at the show. The 19x8.5 setup is a classic choice for the MQB platform, and these Hexis wheels nail the aesthetic perfectly. Running a 32 offset on all four corners pushes the wheels right to the edge of the fenders.
That 32 offset is definitely aggressive for a stock suspension setup. It gives the car a much wider track than the factory wheels ever could. You get that flush look without needing to shove spacers behind the mounting face.
The caliper clearance on the S3’s front brakes is often a nightmare with aftermarket wheels. Thankfully, the barrel design on these Fondmetals clears the OEM hardware with room to spare. You won't have to worry about the spokes biting into your calipers during hard cornering.
The hub bore on these fits the Audi hub perfectly, so you aren't dealing with sketchy plastic centering rings. I always prefer a direct fitment for peace of mind at high speeds. It keeps the steering wheel dead silent at highway velocity.
Because the car sits on stock suspension, you have a bit of wheel gap left to fill. The 19-inch diameter helps mitigate that visual space compared to the smaller 18-inch options. It keeps the car looking purposeful rather than overly tucked.
You need to keep an eye on the front fender liner clips if you push this car hard on bumpy roads. With a 32 offset, the tire sits very close to the outer arch. A sharp dip at speed might cause a tiny bit of rub, but it’s a small price for this stance.
The spoke design on the Hexis is sharp and angular, which matches the Audi's aggressive front fascia. They don't look like an afterthought bolted onto a luxury sedan. This is a deliberate, high-end design choice.
What We Recommend for Audi S3 Premium Plus 2018 Owners
If you own an S3, stay away from anything wider than 8.5 inches unless you plan on doing some serious fender work. An 8.5 width is the absolute sweet spot for this chassis. It keeps the steering feel sharp and prevents that heavy, tramlining sensation you get with oversized tires.
For offsets, keep your numbers between 35 and 45 if you want to play it safe with stock fenders. Dropping down to a 32 offset like this build did pushes the limit. It looks incredible, but you lose the ability to go super low without modifications.
I always tell our readers to stick with a square setup on these Quattro cars. Running staggered widths messes with the Haldex system and kills your tire rotation options. Keep all four wheels the same size to protect your drivetrain.
Don't be afraid to run a slightly wider tire to protect the lip of the wheel from curb rash. A 235/35/19 tire works beautifully with this 8.5-inch width. It gives you enough sidewall to handle city potholes without looking like a rubber band.
Avoid the temptation to use cheap, thin spacers just to make a weak-offset wheel fit. They introduce vibrations that ruin the refined Audi driving experience. Buy the right offset from the start and skip the headache entirely.
Style and Build Analysis
The Gunmetal finish on these Hexis wheels is an absolute masterclass in restraint. It creates a subtle contrast against the paint that looks sophisticated rather than flashy. It’s the kind of build that looks just as good parked at a business meeting as it does at a meet.
The industrial design of the Hexis wheels adds a technical edge to the Audi’s smooth, flowing body lines. It breaks up the rounded look of the sedan’s arches. It makes the car look like it was designed for a track day, not just the grocery run.
When you look at this car from the three-quarter angle, the proportions feel spot on. The wheels don't look too small or too bulky for the frame. They act as the perfect anchor for the entire profile.
I’ve seen plenty of S3s running black wheels, but they often disappear into the shadows. This Gunmetal finish catches the light just enough to show off the complex spoke geometry. You can actually see the detail from fifty feet away.
Compared to other builds I’ve featured, this one shows that you don't need a crazy body kit to stand out. It’s all about getting the wheel specs right and picking a finish that complements the car. Quality wheels always carry the build.
Why We Love This Build
I love this S3 because it feels like a factory-plus evolution. The Gunmetal Hexis wheels look like they belong in the Audi catalog, yet they have an edge the OEM wheels lack. The way the light rolls over those spokes while the car is idling is pure automotive eye candy.
It’s a clean, honest build that focuses on the fundamentals of great fitment. The wheels sit perfectly flush with the arches, and the color palette is classy and understated. It’s the kind of car that makes you look back every time you walk away in a parking lot.
This is exactly how a daily driver should look when you have a passion for cars. Stop settling for stock and get some real wheels on your Audi.
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: Fondmetal Hexis
- Wheel Size: 19×8.5 / 19×8.5
- Offset: 32 / 32
- Wheel Finish: Gunmetal
- Tires: Continental ContiSportContact 3 235/35 25.5″x9.3″ / 235/35 25.5″x9.3″
- Suspension: Stock
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 19×8.5 / 19×8.5-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 19×8.5 / 19×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
