18" vs. 19" wheels

[audifin]

I am thinking about "downgrading" from 19" to 18" wheels, because they would be more comfortable and less noisy (and cheaper to replace and better fuel economy) Does anyone have experience how noticeable is the difference in practice? Oh and if anyone fancies a swap let me know

[M-A8]

Hello mate.
If you are after a ultimate comfort then even 17'' like A8L Chick has on her A8L.
But 18'' are comfortable enough, way more than 20" and noticeable than 19".

I've had 18'' with Dunlops and 20" with Toyos and still difference is big. 20'' more for styling and or better handling.

But there are ways to get 18" to stick better by lowering suspension so the Dynamic becomes way more stiffer but still on comfy 45 profile.

Now, funny story, I have a set of 4 5 spoke genuine audi wheels with dunlops on but you wont get a lot from the tyres.

They are in the garage corner for couple of years now, stored appropriately which I always said I will keep for winters but after few seasons they are still there with dunlops on

[audifin]

Hi M-A8,

Thanks for your comments. I have 4.2TDI with sport trim, I believe 18" was standard size for these, would 17" even fit?

The standard Audi 5-arm design is not my favourite, thanks for offering though

[M-A8]

Of course it would fit if is 5x112 and 8.5'' on 50 profile, Becky (A8L-Chick has them for ultimate comfort, but if you go this way then try to get offset as far from ET40-45 because then wheels will be sitting in the wheel arches so deep it will look a bit weird. Offset has no effect of the comfort but will just make car look slightly better as 17s and 18s making A8s look a bit standard, but ET40-45 can leave them looking a bit ugly.

[M-A8]

That's A8L on 17'' and 50 profile, this is so comfy...I do miss it sometimes

http://www.sevenoakschauffeurs.co.uk/our-cars.html

[audifin]

Hi M-A8, stud pattern is of course the same, but are the brake discs the same size too? Some car models with bigger engines have bigger brakes, hence the smallest wheel size cannot be fitted.

[M-A8]

Originally Posted by audifin

I am thinking about "downgrading" from 19" to 18" wheels, because they would be more comfortable and less noisy (and cheaper to replace and better fuel economy) Does anyone have experience how noticeable is the difference in practice? Oh and if anyone fancies a swap let me know

Here are my 18''s mate

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthrea...7792#post67792

[goldsax]

old thread but i need advice.
i have 4.2 TDI 2006.
the car has a harsh ride.
car has been to audi specialist
1) the suspension module calibration is spot on
2) the suspension bushes etc are fine
3) the garage says that other 4.2 TDI/W12’s that they look after have the same ride quality.

so it must be my bottom that is delicate.
infact when i got my D2 which had 17” 5 spoke, i swopped them for OEM 20” 9 spoke.
after a week i went back to the 17” as the 20” were too stiff for me.

now the D3 has the 8.5J x 19 ‘12-spoke’. would changing them to smaller alloys help significantly?
if so, would 17" x 8.5J fit?(due to the larger disks)
or 18” x 8.5J ?
thanks raj

[HPsauce]

Not sure on how they would suit a D3, but I have a set of original (PF) 18" S8 Avus wheels for sale here. (See grey S8 in signature pic)
They fit over FL Brembos so no problems there. Need to check ET and PCD are OK, but should be. Only 8" not 8.5. See: http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=9858

[audifin]

Originally Posted by goldsax

old thread but i need advice.
i have 4.2 TDI 2006.
the car has a harsh ride.
car has been to audi specialist
1) the suspension module calibration is spot on
2) the suspension bushes etc are fine
3) the garage says that other 4.2 TDI/W12’s that they look after have the same ride quality.

so it must be my bottom that is delicate.
infact when i got my D2 which had 17” 5 spoke, i swopped them for OEM 20” 9 spoke.
after a week i went back to the 17” as the 20” were too stiff for me.

now the D3 has the 8.5J x 19 ‘12-spoke’. would changing them to smaller alloys help significantly?
if so, would 17" x 8.5J fit?(due to the larger disks)
or 18” x 8.5J ?
thanks raj

Does your car have sports suspension? Mine does and I changed from 19" to 18" and it made a huge difference. 18" was standard size on 4.2TDI SE at the time, so they'll fit, I doubt 17" will. I guess I should have bought a SE