What aftermarket wheels?

[Spud]

Greetings. I have a few questions as well...

Now that the bent wheel saga has developed a bit, what is the general take about the new wheels? Are they still bending? Third... has anyone who has fitted after market wheels, Sportec or MTM, bent any suspension components? Fourth...can anyone supply part numbers for the Quattro GMBH sports suspension kit for the RS4? That information is a bit lacking over here if you know what I mean...

Many many thanks in advance for your help.

Best

Chris.

[PhilT]

May be best to split the responses into sepearted threads...

[Michael]

Chris-
Can't comment on the headlight. Re wheels- there used to be a Kiwi guy on RS4.org who seemed to bend a rim almost every week by the sound of it. Audi NZ would cover him for rims but it would take months for arrival after ordering. Eventually he returned the car to them. Knowing Kiwi roads as I do I would change to stronger aftermkt rims. There are various available. Would suggest starting a thread with title like "rims- need help" or something similar.
I changed mine after bending one and realising that I was going to be forever the unloved orphan of Audi out here as I privately imported my RS from Europe. My current rims are extremely strong, and I've hit holes in the road at very rapid speeds that would have easily buckled the originals. No suspension problems whatsoever. In fact for memory I haven't read a thread on old rs4.org or this new site about someone who has had suspension problems...
Biggest thing for me is that I used to drive around worrying if every bump I drove over had just done damage to a rim. I eventually decided it wasn't worth the stress - esp given the cost of the car- so changed them. Never given wheels a second thought in over a year now. Recommended modification- esp. for someone living outside of Europe/UK. These areas benefit from geographical/critical mass
comparative advantages we cannot enjoy.

[Spud]

Michael,

Thanks for your thoughts and good to know your car at least survived the wheels being changed. I remember someone saying on RS4.org that they saw a number of RS4's at the factory with different wheels and were suggesting that they at the factory couldn't be bothered with the wheel drama either. I currently have 4 bent ones, my tyres go down all the time and they have none available for me...you couldn't post me a pic of your wheels could you? The light is a pest and of course they want a weeks wages for the whole assembly!! Goes with the territory I suspect. Tried to get an MTM kit from European Imports and they said it was a managment decision not to offer any upgrades for the RS4. Small country, small minds. How's Japan?

Best wishes,

Chris.

[Bushy]

So all you guys who have aftermarket rims what makes and sizes have you got


I know Andy has Sportec 19", I have ordered some Sportec but 18"

I have seen a couple with BBS or MTM - effecively the same.

With the new rims has anyone had probles with buckelling?


And finally one issue that was risen on RS4.org was teh wieght of the wheel will effect the acceleration as the turning force needs to increase to accelerate the wheel, has anyone any comments on this?

[Michael]

Hi. Firstly rims.
I had mine custom made by co called Neez in Japan. They are made of forged magnesuim. They mainly make aftermkt rims for Ferrari and Porsche, and also make race rims for F cars. They are superlight and superstrong, but cost me a friggin fortune. I like them (I'd better!). I do know that after I initially posted pics of them a lot of guys who saw them on .org sent me private emails asking for more details. I think the price put most off, even tho we arranged with Neez to get them to these guys for a lot lower price than what I paid. I'd say at a guess you might be able to get a set for between USD5-7k off the top of my head. Almost every other manufacturer will be cheaper. Neez may be too now I'm not sure but can check. They were pretty proud of the set the made for my RS- took them about 2 months to make mind you. Measurements are same as originals, so no spacers. They're five spoke- I think they make car look more aggressive but very much a personal preference thing are rims, some don't like 5 spokes.
Website is www.neez.co.jp my rims are SEK type.

Re. tuning I had mine done by Sportec when car was brandnew before I had it shipped. I'd contact one of the major tuners in Europe and have the stuff shipped out. Any good mechanic should be able to set it up for you. Get chip,exhaust, and short shifter is def worth getting(all this is pretty cheap too). Forge dump valves are good but require bit of tinkering around with hose widths cause not much space there. One of the best changes I've made however is still the tires. Changed to Bridgestone RE-01's with super stiff sidewalls. Car went from floating like a boat to handling like a go-kart (relatively). Unbelievable. Guys here seem to like Yokos as well. Do that when you do rims.
Guys on the site talk v highly about GmBh sport suspension which I've asked Audi Japan about (they claim to have no idea of course), and there's always brakes. I nearly did a Movit upgrade last year but din't go thru. Would def. make the car look fantastic- esp with 5 spoke so you could clearly see the huge red calipers -but my wallet doesn't like the price.
Anyway here are some pics of my wheels.

..then again maybe not. they're all bigger than 50,000bytes. sorry.

[Bushy]

thanks michael, email me the pictures and i will modify so we can post

cheers

[johneroberts]

Michael,
to save on space in the forum, its easier to put your pictures in the gallery and then just link them across using the UBB codes.
Cheers
jr

[TimJMS]

Spud, Bushy -

My aftermarket wheels are by.... Audi!

RS6 19inch option running on Yokohama AVS Sport 265 / 30 / ZR19 93Y. No problems with bending, but tyres on one occasion touched the inner wheel arches when hustling the old girl through The Karrusel. The 4 chaps on board at the time didnt help matters any and Actually, I'm not sure that this wouldnt have happened if I had been running 18's on a 35 profile.

The switch to this wheel / tyre arrangement has dramatically improved turn - in response. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Bushy]

Intersting Tim

Have you the aud part numbers for the 19" rims?

ANd i will lokk in the gallery as i asume you have posted pictures

[Bushy]

Tim how much did this cost you and i cant see any pictures

Also do they need spacers or are they the correct offset, i quite like them

[TimJMS]

Bushy - car just back from having Quattro Sport suspension fitted. Was dithering about having this done owing to clearance worries. While I havent had chance to give it a proper shakedown yet, these worries so far seem unfounded.
Right, now to try and include some pictures......

[TimJMS]

No can do, so have uploaded some to the gallery.

Spacers are required, 15mm front and rear ordered through Kim Collins from Movit.

The price? Well my local friendly tyre dealer sourced me the Yokos, which I believe are only really produced for Aston Martin (indeed they are stamped AML on the side walls) for around £200 per corner fitted. The rims? Well less than Sportec! [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Dave]

Oh yes.. Looks nice with the 19" 5 spokes.. I have them on my RS6.. they look great.. worth putting some of Bushy's wheel wax on... gives them a great shine!!
[img]images/rsul/2767-RS6Sidesmall.jpg[/img]

I'm tempted by the Abt 20" 5 spoke, but am a bit worried about going for a lower profile tyre and the difference it'll make to the ride

Dave

[Dave]

Here are the Abt 20" rims :
[img]images/rsul/2768-Abt-RS6-Wheelssmall.jpg[/img]

Has got the Abt (mov'it) behind though [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]