Rollin' on 20s

[Oli18]

I wasn't planning on upgrading the wheels...but as I have got 385mm S8 discs and calipers to fit at some point, there was a need for an upgrade.

Having now put some on the 8, i must admit, they do fill the arches that much better. I haven't noticed an enormous difference in the hardness of the ride but you can tell ever so slightly.

Also interesting to see up close how the diamond cut is 'sealed' in with what can only be described as a laminated plastic.

These will be getting a diamond cut refurb at some point but not for a little while still....we'll need to get the new brake setup underneath there first +++

Oli

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4883458556_a1955b49df_z.jpg

[Architex_mA8tey]

looks great Oli lets see more pics! +++
mua ha haaaa the lure of the bigger wheels and brakes was hard to resist eh :D

[Singh]

Come on Oli, that picture ain't good enough. Let's see some more please. You have a great '8
any plans for Xenon Pluses? +++

[Oli18]

Thanks guys!

The brakes, the S8 tips (remember them?!) and the OSF suspension knock, and 2 new tyres (have just replaced 2 of them today but am trying to stagger the costs) are all the main things i'm looking to get done for the minute.

The future may hold (in order of preference):
- Spacers
- Alloy refurb
- Wrap
- Bi-xenons
- HID fogs

+++

PS - Amar, what spacers have you got on...and also, the picture in your signature, is that photoshopped to look lower than it actually is?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4882853073_0dc3278a36_z.jpg

[Mkoneman]

you aint nobody on this forum unless u have oe 20inchers :p

welcome to the club ;)

25mm spacers will have them packing the arches out a bit better

[jayzee]

Welcome to the 20" club :love: They make the car, don't they?

Mkoneman,

25mm??

I thought 20mm each side on the rears, and 10mm each side on the fronts for OEM final edition 8.5j wheels?

You reakon 25mm each side on the rears?

What's the consensus on this?

My very next modification as it happens :D

[Oli18]

Hi James.

Mine are the D3 9J's - would that alter the spacer width also?

Cheers!

Oli

[IT]

Lookin good Oli...... +++

[KPS]

Hey Oli,

looking fantastic as mkoneman say's welcome to the club

size matters :ROFL:

[Singh]

Oli, my car has been photoshopped to look lower, if the engine hadn't gone that's exactly what it would be looking like right now along with a few other bits and bobs.

Spacers are a MUST.

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/AmarS8/AmarS8_2009_10_17_20_.jpg

The spacers make the car, I have followed my car with its spacers on and it just looks so freakin' good. I have 9J D3 wheels as well and had 20mm spacers each side on the back.

They look gay tucked into the arch, make sure you get a longer locking nuts though as the old ones won't even make a thread on the wheels.

[jayzee]

Which make of spacers did you go for Amar?

My personal favorite picture of your car is on the rolling road with the rear wheels looking like they want to punch out of those arches +++

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/AmarS8/Dyno%20Day/MRC5.jpg


http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/AmarS8/Dyno%20Day/MRC4.jpg

[Singh]

I'm not sure, but if I were buying again today.. It would be one of these

http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/frame-detail.asp?PAGE=/manranges.asp

[jayzee]

Excellent!

So you 9J D3 wheel owners can do 20mm on each side, and us lowly 8.5J owners can indeed go for 25mm as James suggests on the rears +++

[Singh]

Just seen your picture now Jayzee, Love that car. Would have looked a hell of a lot better in that picture if it was on coilovers. Need to get an engine for it asap.

[jayzee]

Just thinking for a moment... if the car is fully laden with passengers and luggage, would it not cause the tyres to rub?

I'm assuming that the camber does not change on an S8 when fully laden.

I have a TR6, and when you push down on the back, the camber changes to positive under load, so tucking the top of tyres in under squat if you get my drift.

[Oli18]

I may need to start looking out for a set of spacers...they do look a lot better on the rears with them on.

Amar/James - for the fronts, did you guys bother with spacers? If so, same width as on the back or less?

Thanks,

Oli

[B@fink]

whoa, whoa, whoa, never mind what spacers to use....i'm still reeling from the news that due to a lack of (and no intention to fit) 20" wheels i'm a no-one on the forum :eek2:.....i like my nice normal 17"ers............:-(

I'm too old (and stingy) to fit hooge wheels that will break my fragile skeleton +++

now, carry on with your spacer discussion. :D

[Architex_mA8tey]

LOL I guess I'm on my own in the 21" club - parties and drinks rounds will be cheaper, if a little dull :D

[jayzee]

LOL I guess I'm on my own in the 21" club - parties and drinks rounds will be cheaper, if a little dull :D

Nah, you can just buy everyone else a drink because you're unique ;)

:D

[Conan_the_Librarian]

whoa, whoa, whoa, never mind what spacers to use....i'm still reeling from the news that due to a lack of (and no intention to fit) 20" wheels i'm a no-one on the forum :eek2:.....i like my nice normal 17"ers............:-(

I'm too old (and stingy) to fit hooge wheels that will break my fragile skeleton +++

now, carry on with your spacer discussion. :D
you're not a no-one just cause you only have 17"!
get some 20s with 50 series tyres and yer old bones won't snap an your fuel economy will be better!

[B@fink]

clearly missed the stingy part.........a grand on wheels on a 3 grand car.........erm. I like the 17" competitions, i do really! They are all the wheel an unaspiring poverty striken person needs. And i'm only in a 2.8, my fuel economy is lovely, nice high 20's average, middle 30's on a run.......see.......stingy :D


now......did someone mention a free drink ;)

[Architex_mA8tey]

clearly missed the stingy part.........a grand on wheels on a 3 grand car.........erm. I like the 17" competitions, i do really! They are all the wheel an unaspiring poverty striken person needs. And i'm only in a 2.8, my fuel economy is lovely, nice high 20's average, middle 30's on a run.......see.......stingy :D


now......did someone mention a free drink ;)

I cant afford to buy you one hahahaha :ROFL:

[jayzee]

anyone running spacers notice if the bodywork picks up more stone chips?

This does worry me somewhat.

[Dezzy]

whoa, whoa, whoa, never mind what spacers to use....i'm still reeling from the news that due to a lack of (and no intention to fit) 20" wheels i'm a no-one on the forum :eek2:.....i like my nice normal 17"ers............:-(

I'm too old (and stingy) to fit hooge wheels that will break my fragile skeleton +++

now, carry on with your spacer discussion. :D

Can we be nobodys together?


"anyone running spacers notice if the bodywork picks up more stone chips?

This does worry me somewhat."

Hmmm maybe look out on the lower bumper, what about people behind will it flick a lot of sh1t at them too?

[Oli18]

These 20mm beauties came through the post today :)

I went with the H&R Trak+ hub centric spacers in the end. It will allow for the original wheel bolts to be used which is a bonus. The kit seems really high quality from first impressions and much better than others i've seen.

Just need to get my locking wheel nut adapter back from Ben and these should hopefully pop on nicely. :cool:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=1345&stc=1&d=1283268519

[Conan_the_Librarian]

I have a pair of H&R PCD changers at 25mm. Quality kit.

[PsYcHe]

Where's the best place to pick these up? Fancy a set all round if it's not too expensive..

[Singh]

Richard!! I sent you a message on facebook for a guy that wanted to swap with a set of wheels from your D3!

Where's the best place to pick these up? Fancy a set all round if it's not too expensive..

[PsYcHe]

Must have managed to delete it when I had a clearout of the inbox.. can you resend?

[Singh]

Sorry Richard, I posted that from work whilst trying to do a hundred things at once and thought you wanted alloys not spacers, doh!

[PsYcHe]

The alloys are OK (though a refurb wouldn't hurt), but spacers are of interest at the moment :).

[jayzee]

These 20mm beauties came through the post today :)

I went with the H&R Trak+ hub centric spacers in the end. It will allow for the original wheel bolts to be used which is a bonus. The kit seems really high quality from first impressions and much better than others i've seen.

Just need to get my locking wheel nut adapter back from Ben and these should hopefully pop on nicely. :cool:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=1345&stc=1&d=1283268519

Oh bugger!

Just when I put these to the back of my mind, you post a picture up.

I'm going to have to do this now!

[Oli18]

Wimbledon Audi had a locking wheelnut in stock today and so was finally able to fit the spacers.

Pretty chuffed :cool:

Before and after shots below....

Oli

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4993850613_b443a54741.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4993840369_75e390aa43.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4993380642_38d92e5287.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4992772921_b2c8b5246f.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4994420030_b914dba217.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4993814169_a2dbe0b794.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4993820577_d94356d607.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4994426452_c464d16580.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4994449732_409a8aea63.jpg

[Architex_mA8tey]

amazing what a difference 20mm makes Oli (as the actress said to the bishop!)
I'll look forwards to seeing it at ADI +++

[Oli18]

Thanks neil! I feel like a real bad ass mf driving this now! :ROFL:

It just completely changes the stance on it. One of the best thing I've done on the car so far :)

See you at ADI...can't wait.+++

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Nice move. Down a bit next?

[Singh]

Spacers are a must for me now, Oli, try an get someone you trust or someone you don't trust before you refurb the wheels to drive. Then you follow on another car, my green one looked mega awesome with them on from behind.
Did you go for 20mm each side, and did your exsisting bolts work?

[Oli18]

Nice move. Down a bit next?

Although i'd love to, realistically speaking it won't happen due to all the speedbumps where i live unfortunately :(

Spacers are a must for me now, Oli, try an get someone you trust or someone you don't trust before you refurb the wheels to drive. Then you follow on another car, my green one looked mega awesome with them on from behind.
Did you go for 20mm each side, and did your exsisting bolts work?

Did this today and it does look damn good :D I did go for the 20mm each side and the trak + setup allows for use of the existing bolts so very pleased overall. +++

[Nick1]

oli where did you get them from and how much wher they

[Oli18]

oli where did you get them from and how much wher they

I got them off ebay and they were 66 quid.

[frankow]

I have had these on the list since seeing Amar's pics, well I finally got around to getting some. Went with 25mm for the 8.5J rims.

Excuse the crappy quality of the pics, taken with iphone in poor light!

Before
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/dzs4mx
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/mxuhvt

After
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/900a7o
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/ytoxjv
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/ccjue1
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/xpur01
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/qumxaw
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/hgg9tt
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/kwa6pc
https://files.me.com/waynebailey/2drs4e

The only concern I have is the possible gravel rash the rear arch and bumper may suffer, anyone know of any armourfend type film products for the S8 for these vulnerable areas?

[Singh]

That looks fantastic Wayne, the plate finishes it of nicely too. Have you thought about US tails? Seeing all these S8s is really making me miss mine :(

[Oli18]

Looks sjuweet dude! +++

[frankow]

That looks fantastic Wayne, the plate finishes it of nicely too. Have you thought about US tails? Seeing all these S8s is really making me miss mine :(

Thanks Amar,

So are you saying you're S8less?
I know you were looking to sell but that was quick!

I hadn't looked at the US rear lights but I will have x look into it.

[Oli18]

I hadn't looked at the US rear lights but I will have x look into it.

Take a look here (http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=221) for more info +++

[Singh]

Still got the A8, just miss the S8. The other one looked a lot better with the spaced out wheels etc... this would too but I haven't added anything to it since I brought it. Got a potential buyer interested but then the car started to overheat so now need to replace the cambelt,waterpump and thermostat which has delayed the sale somewhat (£££!) Doh :(

[jayzee]

I have had these on the list since seeing Amar's pics, well I finally got around to getting some. Went with 25mm for the 8.5J rims.

Excuse the crappy quality of the pics, taken with iphone in poor light!

The only concern I have is the possible gravel rash the rear arch and bumper may suffer, anyone know of any armourfend type film products for the S8 for these vulnerable areas?

Looks great mate +++

What make of spacers did you end up going with, and are you going to do the fronts too?

3M do a clear sheet that you can cut to size for the gravel rash IIRC.

[Oli18]

Hi,

So, I've been meaning to have my wheels refurbished every since i bought them over 2 years ago from Ian. The intention was to bring it back up to OEM standards and have the wheels diamond cut and sealed.

For anyone else wanting to do this, there are only a handful of places in the country that have lathes big enough to cater for diamond cutting wheels 20" or larger. Lepsons in Kent are most well-known for this but in the last year, PoshWash (http://www.poshwashlondon.co.uk/) based in Mayfair also cater for them and were the guys i ended up using. They were brilliant...drop off in the morning and pick up at 5.30 with a job well done. For those outside the City, you effectively have a free place to park whilst you go Christmas shopping in central London so it's a doddle to arrange +++

I also changed my tyres. I've spent a lot of time looking into this and really like the Dunlop SP Maxx GTs as i prefer their dry grip, feedback with the road, wear, wet grip. They do a special variant with a 'J' marking for Jags...usually found on their XK(R)s. I chose these for the 8 as they come with enhanced rim protection than the standard SP Maxx GTs and should help to keep the wheels in 1 piece if the wife takes the 8 (famous last words :)).

I also ended up buying new centre caps to finish it off. Overall, i'm really pleased and you don't see these wheels in this condition very often nowadays. The shine off diamond cut wheels is something that few will probably appreciate but I'm chuffed to have had them done finally!

Anyway, on to a few pics... :)

Oli

Before pics:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8128412902_8a2a7a69a9_o.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8127867799_0c5f23dd4a.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8127895458_33e404f934.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8127867595_e70830c4b4.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8127895660_57a0393d74.jpg

After pics:

New centre caps...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8127912364_0a0b863ff6_z.jpg

Wheels refurbed, with new centre caps and tyres:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8127912698_d013c62bd2_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/8127885797_4fce687241_c.jpg

[Architex_mA8tey]

Looking great Oli, really makes a huge difference to how the car looks
I wonder if they could cope with my Kahn wheels?
I want to get them refurbed this winter
Can you text me their contact details and who to speak to when you get a minute?
Cheers +++

[briang9]

looking very nice there Oli +++ where did you get the centre caps from?

cheers

[Oli18]

Hi,

PoshWash - Website (http://www.poshwashlondon.co.uk/) + Tel +44 20 7262 4050

Centre Caps Link here (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_nkw=8D0+601+165K&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_ipg=25&_osacat=0&_armrs=1&_ssn=autotechnic88) :)

+++

Oli

[briang9]

thanks Oli, thats a pretty good price there too

cheers+++

[Architex_mA8tey]

Sorry Oli but wanted to clarify which of the 4 sites they have on that website that you went to for your wheels? is it the park lane one?

[Oli18]

Hi Neil,

I went to both Park Lane and Pimlico and ended up dropping off the 8 in Pimlico in the end.

From my understanding all wheels get done in Shepherds Bush though!

Good luck +++

oli

[The_Laird]

Looks like a great job Oli.+++

[Architex_mA8tey]

Thanks Oli - I will pop in and make some enquiries next time i'm around there in the 8 +++
Not sure if they can cope with the Kahns (will find out) but they can definately refurb my Final Edition Wheels next time.

We'll have to catch up soon with both cars!
Loving the new sig pic too!!

[Oli18]

Hi Neil - I believe they go up to 22" so I think you're ok +++

[Oli18]

Hey,

Just playing with a few camera settings on the drive home today :)

Oli

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8376336567_8160b41189_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8091/8377427856_496378465f_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8377512724_da5a5033e5_z.jpg

[Architex_mA8tey]

Looks great Oli +++
My car needs to come see your car to have a "Brakes Chat" sometime soon :D

[Iyole]

Great pics there Oli +++

Still the best Rims for an 8 IMO ..... Classic.

[Conquistador]

Great thread. Think those spacers are definitely next on my to-do list!

http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/frame-manranges.asp?code=34

[Oli18]

Thanks guys - I'm really pleased with them :)

Oli

[Conquistador]

Just a quick question...

Does anybody know if those H&R spacers would be ok with the standard wheel bolts? Thinking of getting some 20mm front and 30mm rear spacers and then stick some clear 3M protective sticker on the back of the arches to protect it a bit more from the crap that will surely be thrown onto the bodywork with wheels on a wider track. On a D3 if it makes any difference. Or do I need to get longer bolts? I've seen some spacers which come with longer bolts but wasn't sure about these ones mentioned. :Confused:

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Any sort of spacer above bout 5-8mm will need to be hub centric and have it's own set of bolts. The bolts that come with the spacer, bolt it to the hub. You then use your original bolts to bolt your wheels to the spacer.

30mm is right on the limit I expect for wheel run on the inner arches. Put a straight edge across your tyre top to bottom (bit of wood will do) then measure at the top (level with the tread of the tyre) 30mm to see what clearance you will have. I suspect on the motorway your sports setting will be tolerable; on the twisty bits you may get a lot of tyre rub.

[Conquistador]

Good point. In "dynamic" mode my rear arches sink down slightly over the tyres anyway, didn't think of that. I'll try the straight edge test, thanks.