Winter tyre options for an S8?

[René]

just take regular d2 18" rims,they are 8x18 and will take both of the tire-sizes.

don't know how it is in the uk but over here in germany the d3 comes with 7,5x18 rims for the winter.they look like this

[ainarssems]

225/55R18 or 235/55R18 on standard rims. Higher profile will give you a better ground clearance as well

[Dezzy]

Originally Posted by PsYcHe

These are not any ordinary tyres....

Bit rubbery tho

[Adrian E]

Originally Posted by René

just take regular d2 18" rims,they are 8x18 and will take both of the tire-sizes.

don't know how it is in the uk but over here in germany the d3 comes with 7,5x18 rims for the winter.they look like this

Hi René - thanks for that. Do you happen to know the respective offsets for standard rims and the D3 winter rims?

Time for some ebay shopping!

Cheers

Adrian

[René]

the 8x18 d2 rims have ET48 , the 7,5x18 d3 rims have ET40 from what i know every d3 rim will fit the d2 without any problems

[Conan_the_Librarian]

The ET on your 20" wheels is 45. The ET for 7.5x18" winter wheels is 40.

Any 7.5 or 8J by 18" from 45 to 35 et would fit add a set of winter tyres and you are away.

[Adrian E]

Nice one - thanks chaps

Visited the local dealer today, after asking them the question on the phone and they've confirmed the 17" tyres quoted in the handbook are no use for my late car due to the brake size. The option they came up with is 7.5x18 ET39, 4D0601025AK - problem is they're £456 EACH, plus centre caps.....these appear to be intended for a W12 according to the Etka printout I have been given.

There may actually be a good reason to buy some of those cheap replica wheels off ebay - although they're generally too narrow for summer tyres they should be fine for winters. Can get a full set with cheap tyres for less than £500. Flog the tyres and fit something suitable and job's a good 'un.

Will see what second-hand Audi rims I can find listed that will fit.

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Have a look through these. Most will do.

Tyres here

[Dezzy]

Check the tyre size as most of the tyre / wheel combo’s have 225x45x18 and they’re not worth all that much.
I had the RS4 style replicas on mine and found that when playing in the snow sideways the snow got packed on the inside of the rim, when I’d finished playing the weight of the snow had put the balance out so at 45 – 50 I had major wheel wobble.

I’m a little out of touch now but I used to be a tyre fitter and most winter wheels are steel because they are more resilient to corrosion from all the wet and road salt. I have only seen one 8 on steels and don’t know where you’d get them.
Have you tried A8 parts? They have a set of sport alloys listed at the mo.

[Condor]

I've got 18" wheels with 245/45R18 normal summer tyres fitted to my S8 (2001 D2). Would the best size for winter tyres fitted to these wheels be the 225 or 235/55R18s mentioned above or would 235/60R18s also be ok?

I know I'm going to struggle to get tyres now (my winter wheels are on my X5 which dumped all its oil out on Xmas Eve and is now parked up awaiting the recovery truck ) but I'd like to start looking.

I suppose the D2 S8 with big Brembos will not manage a 17" wheel - My X5 4.8is is the same with brake clearance - pity, as 17"s are much easier to find and sooo much cheaper!!!

I do very long commutes and have to rely on my car, so advice would be much appreciated, I feel very vulnerable without winter wheels!!!! although the S8 has managed all the slippy stuff around here with great aplomb......