New wheel choice advice

[Firepit]

Hi all,

Currently I have the 18" ten spoke alloys. I like the 18" the ride is good and the tyres are not expensive to replace. However the wheels are a nightmare to clean, takes me much longer to clean them than it does to wash and dry the whole car.

So I am thinking of changing them.

The current size is 18" 8j 28mm offset.

I can't find any I like in that exact size but I have found these..

http://cdn3.wheelbasealloys.com/18dezentrnbp__PI_9792_0_0_998_998_600.jpg

They are 18" 8j so the current tyres will swap over.

The offset starts at 32 though, so does that mean I must have a spacer to get them back to match the current offset, or I can go without a spacer and they will be a couple of mill differently placed?

This is the site link to the wheels. http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/dezent/rn/black-polished/18-inch

Any one know anything about Dezent, searches reveal good and bad stories. They are German ( I think) so they ought to be good.

[Firepit]

I have also seen these which seem to have an exact size match :-)

http://www.makwheels.it/public/images/11213.jpg

http://www.makwheels.it/EMP0000000297.asp

preferences?

[Duffy]

Funny I'll be going the other way as I think the 18's look lost in the arches on these things, albeit I can understand the argument on the ride front.

[Firepit]

I know what you are saying is right ascetically but I've been there with 20" wheels and skinny tyres.

Every bump comes through and potholes are a killer. Plus the less rubber and bigger the hole in the middle, the more expensive the tyre :mad:

[Duffy]

The first D4 I drove had S8 21"'s on and whilst you could feel the initial hit of anything on the road, I felt it handled the rest of the impact extremely well (Much better than my D2 S8 on 20's)

I'm hoping 20's with a sensible section tyre will be a reasonable compromise on a D4.

21" tyres are an outrageous price.

[Adrian E]

Middle ground with 19s? That 2nd set you've posted look like Audi Rotors and I'd be tempted by a set of those if you can get the right offset for the d4

For some reason I nearly always find myself drawn to factory rims over aftermarket unless the car they're going on is heavily modified

Eta:

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb37/s1ras/A3-3.jpg (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/s1ras/media/A3-3.jpg.html)

Buy a set without tyres and fit ones to match the rolling radius to give more sidewall :)

[Duffy]

A 20" set of those is my preferred choice long term.

[Firepit]

I've ordered the Mak wheels as shown above. Will swop the tyres over and post a pic when done :-)

[Firepit]

The ones I ordered are exactly the same size as the ones I am taking off.

MAK Stadt 8x18 5x112 ET28 66.6 (ET 28)

They are specific Audi fit.

66.6 is the hub size (central hole)

Got s cracking price from Tyreleader in Germany with free delivery!!

Cheers

[Glync]

I have the 20's on mine with Goodyear tyres
Previous d3 had 19's five spoke sport wheels which seemed prone to buckling and cracking in my experience don't think I had a straight wheel on the car :rolleyes:
I can honestly say the ride isn't compromised and the suspension works well IMHO with20's
What I do notice is the tyre roar though which seems worse in a very quiet motor and changes dramatically with the varying surfaces. My wife says I am too fussy and thinks the car is superb +++
I will maybe look to try another tyre when the time comes to empty my bank balance and replace the buggers :ROFL:
But they handle really well and I certainly don't notice any bumps around town and I drive with the suspension in sport/dynamic mode most of the time. A vast improvement on the previous Merc which had 18's and felt like I was driving on solid tyres most of the time :(
Personally I think the car looks better with the bigger rims they fill the arches better but to change tyres and wheels is a big outlay. I'll be interested to see what they look like when you have them on all the best
Cheers glyn

[Architex_mA8tey]

21" tyres are an outrageous price.

Tell me about it :( my 2 new Contisport 5's at 255 30 21 are costing nearly £500 fitted and balanced and that's at trade prices :eek:

[Adrian E]

That's not too bad mate - I paid similar last year for 20s (Mich SS) although this years were slightly cheaper

[Norretal]

Tell me about it :( my 2 new Contisport 5's at 255 30 21 are costing nearly £500 fitted and balanced and that's at trade prices :eek:

Neil, at least you can console yourself with the fact they won't wear as fast, with it only being a 3.7 and all that +++

[Duffy]

A 3.7????

I didn't know they came with an engine that size.

:)

[MAM]

A 3.7????

I didn't know they came with an engine that size.

:)

It's whats known in the trade as a Friday afternoon engine. They set out to make a 4.2, but realise that they don't have enough time to finish it before the buzzer goes for the weekend, so to complete the build, a cunning plan is hatched amongst the staff..................

And that children, is how the 3.7 was born.........

+++

[Duffy]

Jolly banter and no offence intended!

I thought it might be a hybrid or something with an engine that size intended to charge the batteries......

:)

[Firepit]

Happy to report that the wheels I purchased have been delivered. It took two weeks rather than the 72 hours that the site said.

They are brilliant and I'm glad I got them from where I did because I saved almost £200. They look great and from what I can tell they are genuine Mak. ie all the right paper work is there and the quality looks fine.

I'm not fitting them for a couple of weeks, as I am having the Audi tow bar added as well. So I'll get them changed over at the same time.

Pics of the tow bar and wheels in a couple of weeks +++

http://www.tt-fun.com/audi/wheel.JPG

[Duffy]

They look a similar style to OEM so should look great.

What size did you end up going for, the 18's as planned or something bigger?

:)

[Firepit]

I just went for the exact same wheel size! Which means that the tyres having only done 1500 miles, will swap straight over +++

edited Sorry yes that was 18"

[tonupkid]

Look forward to seeing those on your car. Love them

[Firepit]

Thanks :)

Aside from the looks, I am really looking forward to being able to clean them easily.

Those ten spoke things are a total nightmare to clean.

[Duffy]

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg39/howard9999/2011_audi_a8_f34_fe_5_717.jpg

I've just bought a set of these from the Fatherland.

Wanted to stick with OEM!

[Firepit]

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg39/howard9999/2011_audi_a8_f34_fe_5_717.jpg

I've just bought a set of these from the Fatherland.

Wanted to stick with OEM!

Are they 20"?

[Stevie]

They look nice ...

[Stevie]

Thanks :)

Aside from the looks, I am really looking forward to being able to clean them easily.

Those ten spoke things are a total nightmare to clean.

get one of these ...
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/karcher-xpert-1-hd7125-exclusive-pressure-wash?da=1&TC=RV-050419900

Bought one a few weeks ago ...

[Duffy]

Yes they are

:)

[Firepit]

The day finally arrived and it's in for the Audi electronic towbar (which swivels out of sight) and for the wheels to be changed. They gave me an A7 to drive, so happy with that!!

I did ask them to see if they can do anything about the fact that I have to press four buttons before I set off.

Start engine, turn of auto stop/start, lower MMI screen and turn radio off which always comes on.

Into drive and then I'm away.

Not holding out much hope but it seems odd that we can't set the auto stop start default to off. Or as BMW in America have done, change the programming to remember the drivers last choice.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2012/08/13/bmw-dealers-can-now-deactivate-the-auto-startstop-settings/

[Firepit]

The wheels fit and look spectacular (according to the call I just got) +++

New cooling fans are in and the tow bar is underway.

:D

[Firepit]

On the subject of wheels. I have an A7 loan car with large wheels and skinny tyres.

I understand what people say about the air suspension but there is a real difference in the harshness of any road bumps, between my A8 and the A7.

The ride on a straight flat road isn't much different though. More noticable road noise in A7 but that could be a couple of things.

In preferrence of overall comfort the 18" is superior. (for me)

Pics of new wheels not far away now!!

[Glync]

Looking forward to the pictures ..

The A7 rides different to the 8 imho having tried the two. That said the 7 is a nice motor, just not an 8 ;) There's much more sense of occasion with an A8.
I do get road/tyre noise from the 20's I might try a different tyre when they decide to break the bank :ROFL: and see if things improve. On some surfaces it's silent others noisy so defo the tyres.

Cant say the ride is harsh with the larger wheels and I leave the suspension in the dynamic/sport setting as I prefer it. I do like the fact they are dead easy to keep clean though, as they are so big I can get my hand in there and keep them looking like new inside and out sad muppet that I am +++
cheers Glyn

[BigAl5]

The first D4 I drove had S8 21"'s on and whilst you could feel the initial hit of anything on the road, I felt it handled the rest of the impact extremely well (Much better than my D2 S8 on 20's)

I'm hoping 20's with a sensible section tyre will be a reasonable compromise on a D4.

21" tyres are an outrageous price.

Completely agree!