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Are 20inch wheels stronger than 21s?

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:12 am
by SteGee
Hi looking for a bit of advice if any of you can help please as i'm at the end of my tether with Audi and cracked alloys.

I've just had another one crack on me giving the dreaded low tyre pressure sign on the dash. That's 3 wheels in 6 months as well as a buckled one in between that I got straightened.

Audi cant tell me how many individual 20inch ones they have sold compared to 21s to see whether the 20's suffer from the same problem. They wont sort it under warranty either as they just use the phrase there must have been an external influence for the alloy to crack as there are no known faults with them. Looking at the deformed wheel register it seems a few of you have had the same bad experience.

Some posts seem to indicate that the 20s are forged and stronger. What do you all think? If this is the case then i'll revert to 20s because I cant afford to keep buying alloys at £1400 a time.

The car is amazing on every level but I just dont want that worry of cracking a wheel everytime I go out in it.

Cheers

Steve

Re: Are 20inch wheels stronger than 21s?

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:14 am
by rtd
The 20” wheel is indeed forged and far stronger to the 5 spoke 21” wheel. Never heard of a 20” wheel failure so go for it plus looks better


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Re: Are 20inch wheels stronger than 21s?

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:46 am
by SteGee
Thanks for the reply - will have to get looking for some for sale :)

Re: Are 20inch wheels stronger than 21s?

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 12:03 pm
by innercry666
It doesn't surprise me that Audi don't want to know as replacing them admits liability. However to have had 3 cracked wheels and 1 buckled one in 6 months points to them not being fit for purpose.

Have you considered contacting trading standards and then Audi UK?

The twin spoke 21" wheels seem to be prone to buckling and cracking probably because they are cast so the material is more brittle and therefore just not as strong as the forged 20".

Re: Are 20inch wheels stronger than 21s?

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 2:08 pm
by MikeFish
The Performance wheels seem to be a bit stronger than the normal 21s.

Re: Are 20inch wheels stronger than 21s?

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:59 am
by Tadass910
Use aftermarket 21inch and forget everything

Re: Are 20inch wheels stronger than 21s?

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:27 am
by Markp
Standard 20s are indeed forged, stronger and much lighter. Never heard of an issue with them. Did 35k on mine on some dire roads and smooth as silk.

Re: Are 20inch wheels stronger than 21s?

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:33 am
by Markp
MikeFish wrote:
Wed Aug 01, 2018 2:08 pm
The Performance wheels seem to be a bit stronger than the normal 21s.
A bit being the operative word. Still complaints though.