Newbe: Thoughts on changing 18" Avus to 20" BBS LMs

[MrHooky]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

Right ball-park probably, depending on condition. Is that four or five?
Are they all straight (the ones I got weren't) or is some straightening/welding likely?

You won't know if they can be diamond-cut until they're stripped back.

It's for 4. I'll keep the current spare in situ despite being a misfit. Chap said they're all straight. They're the black ones currently on eBay being listed at £770.

Didn't know that about the diamond cutting, presumed it was a finish that could be applied to all wheels.

I've countered the chap with £525. I'm in two minds at the moment. My current 18" Avus need a refurb. They're utterly horrid. A refurb of those is going to cost c.£240. Plus they need new tyres at £400 for some Pzero Rossos. The 20" wheels are looking at c.£900 for the rims all in refurbed plus £750 for the rubber.

Can I really justify the £1k extra for the 20s? Decisions decisions...

[Cornershop]

My thinking is this (happy to get shot down ) - Audi never developed the d2 to run 20" wheels, it was only in the final year(s) that 20" became available albeit with a control arm change and maybe other changes (?)

Appreciate they add a bling factor but most suspension specialists would never condone a '+2' jump in wheel diameter with basically the same underpinnings - a jump to 19" maybe (+1) at most.

I'm in the same boat, my Avus need a refurb hence I'm looking for a spare set of 18s and get new tyres fitted too.

I'm new here and I've had a couple of glasses of wine so this could be absolute twaddle

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Cornershop

I'm looking for a spare set of 18s

Which I have as noted in another thread, 5 * PF Avus with 4 centre caps.

[sarg]

Originally Posted by MrHooky

Can I really justify the £1k extra for the 20s? Decisions decisions...

Yes!

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by sarg

Yes!

I managed to break mine down until it (almost) went away.............
New wheels needed refurbishing - but so (to some extent) do the ones I will sell, so I was committed to much of that spend.
New wheels need paying for - the old ones will sell for a fair price as they are sought after (by certain groups of drivers).
New wheels (2 of) needed straightening - but the old ones are true so have more value as a result.
New tyres needed - but the old ones were close to replacement, though 2 near-new will be sold as part-worn (OK, bit of a loss).
Time, cost and effort to swap - combined with winter/summer swap by my tyre man so minimal. Took him about an hour longer than normal.

Man logic.

[tintin]

Originally Posted by MrHooky

It's for 4. The 20" wheels are looking at c.£900 for the rims all in refurbed plus £750 for the rubber.

That sounds like a lot to me: I picked up a mint (newly refurbed) set of five 20" FE wheels shod with very good Dunlops for a total of £700 all in - though I was probably a bit lucky, and wasn't in a rush to buy

[MrHooky]

Originally Posted by Cornershop

My thinking is this (happy to get shot down ) - Audi never developed the d2 to run 20" wheels, it was only in the final year(s) that 20" became available albeit with a control arm change and maybe other changes (?)

Appreciate they add a bling factor but most suspension specialists would never condone a '+2' jump in wheel diameter with basically the same underpinnings - a jump to 19" maybe (+1) at most.

I'm in the same boat, my Avus need a refurb hence I'm looking for a spare set of 18s and get new tyres fitted too.

I'm new here and I've had a couple of glasses of wine so this could be absolute twaddle

I do like this thinking. Never really thought of the wheel size suspension impact. I assume the 20" are heavier but wouldn't have thought it would make much difference to the dynamics other than stiffer side wall so less roll. The rolling circumference is only supposed to be 1% difference to don't think much difference there...

I was now thinking that a pristine set of Avus and some good rubber would look almost as good as the FE 20" wheels. Personally I actually prefer the design of the Avus vs. the FE although I do think it looks a little under-wheeled given the size of the car. My 8N TT runs 18s and it's a tiny car in comparison.

Actually thinking a 19" Avus would be my ideal wheel...!

I also like the man Maths applied above. I'd sell the Avus and just run on the 20s all year round.

Think I need a drink to help me make a decision. I'm crap at this...!

[MrHooky]

Originally Posted by tintin

That sounds like a lot to me: I picked up a mint (newly refurbed) set of five 20" FE wheels shod with very good Dunlops for a total of £700 all in - though I was probably a bit lucky, and wasn't in a rush to buy

That sounds a bargain given the tyres included. Given the rubber needed on these each new tyre is looking at least £175 which can't be ignored.

I've left an offer of £525 on the table for the wheels. Getting painted (instead of diamond cut) would be c.£60 per wheel so would be c.£760 all in pre rubber.

All sounding pricey for the bling factor...

[tintin]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

Which I have as noted in another thread, 5 * PF Avus with 4 centre caps.

I may be interested in these, if they're still available, 'cos I'm considering a change from my 18" 9 spokes (which would then be for sale… )

[tintin]

Originally Posted by Cornershop

My thinking is this (happy to get shot down ) - Audi never developed the d2 to run 20" wheels, it was only in the final year(s) that 20" became available albeit with a control arm change and maybe other changes (?)

Appreciate they add a bling factor but most suspension specialists would never condone a '+2' jump in wheel diameter with basically the same underpinnings - a jump to 19" maybe (+1) at most.

I'm in the same boat, my Avus need a refurb hence I'm looking for a spare set of 18s and get new tyres fitted too.

I'm new here and I've had a couple of glasses of wine so this could be absolute twaddle

I don't buy this argument, at least from a driving experience perspective. Although I can't comment from a technical perspective in terms of the suspension components, I can from a user perspective, as I run both 18's (over the winter), and 20's (during the summer), so can comment on both, and I greatly prefer the performance of the 20's.

In my opinion the ride on 20's is firmer, and the handling and steering feels sharper: I'm really pleased to have just changed back to 20s, as the ride with the 18's felt just a bit wallowy. But I suppose it depends what kind of ride you prefer.