Thinking about new wheels...

[Dippy]

It's time for a new set of tyres, and I'm thinking about my wheels too.

My 17" Avus wheels are a bit shabby, so I have been considering a refurb. But maybe I should spend some more and get some new alloys instead, and step up to 18".

Trouble is I'm a virtual ignoramus on wheels. For that reason I'd like to keep it simple and avoid spacers and any risk of rubbing. I'd also like to avoid any large speedo discrepancy due to change in rolling radius.

So does this mean I would have to have an 18" wheel with 7.5 width (I think that's what my current wheels are), and fit a 225/40 R18 tyre?

Any/all advice appreciated.

[Nige_RS4]

Dippy, I have ran 18" alloys for 2+ years now. You can run an 8" width without ant rubbing problems as long as the offset is ET35. With an ET30 offset you will need 3mm spacers to clear the std S4 calipers.

I wouldn't worry about speedo discrepancy if you stick to 225/40/18 tyres - I have compared my speedo with a GPS and I found that the accuracy of the speedo was improved over 17" - at an indicated 155MPH, the GPS logged 152MPH (on bedford autodrome before you ask).

Here is a good starting point - http://www.sanders-stuff.com/Cars/S4_Wh ... l#10_28_01

Always check the weight of the alloys you are interested in e.g. 18" sportec monos look great, but weigh in at a hefty 29lb each - the OZ superleggeras in the same size are 17.4lbs each.

Nige.

[Druggie]

What do the stock Avus weigh in at ?

[Dippy]

Thanks Nige. I have Porsche 993 biturbo calipers up front. Do you think this will cause any problem? Do I need 8" width wheels to accomodate 225/40 tyres?

[Druggie]

What do the stock Avus weigh in at ?

[ChrisG]

I think there is a chart on Audiworld, somewhere, showing weights of various standard and aftermarket wheels.

[Dippy]

I phoned my local wheel company and it seems that for a new set of PS2s and wheel refurb I'm looking at £700-800. For a set of RS4* 18" replicas I'll be paying around £1000. So it seems that for an extra £200-300 to get brand new wheels would make sense, especially because my previous experience of wheel refurb was not exactly favourable!

I'm still a bit worried that a decision to go to 18" wheels is based purely on aesthetics, and not on practical reasons: With the H&R suspension my ride is already quite firm. Will the lower profile tyres make it unbearable?

I need some extra incentive - will cornering grip be better with the lower profile tyres?

*The trouble is I don't get turned on by wheels. I actually quite like the Avus wheels, and the only other wheel I like is the RS4 replica, although this is probably just because it is an 'Audi' wheel.

[excursion]

H&R has a reputation for being quite harsh, the lower profile tyres compound this further.

[sitas3]

Thanks Nige. I have Porsche 993 biturbo calipers up front. Do you think this will cause any problem? Do I need 8" width wheels to accomodate 225/40 tyres?

Dippy, on my 'Old' S4, I had the 18" RS6 wheels and with the Porsche 993TT front brakes, I needed a min. of 4 mm spacers to clear the calipers with these wheels. It could be the same with the RS4 replicas also so i'd check these with certainty..

[Dippy]

Interesting.

I went to my local wheel company this afternoon to discuss it. They will try to fit an 18" RS4 replica tomorrow. However they clearly stated that if the wheels won't fit without spacers, they will not fit the wheels. They are happy to supply spacers to customers, but will not take any responsibility by fitting them.

I'll see what happens tomorrow. I wanted to avoid spacers, and with that advice I'm now fairly against them. Maybe I'll stick with refurbed Avus wheels after all. I am also still concerned about ride harshness with a lower profile tyre...

[Nige_RS4]

Dippy, I have moved from RS4 replicas (30lbs each) to OZ superleggeras (18lbs each) - I used to suffer from the car crashing over pot holes (I might add I have H&R ARBs and powerflex bushes fitted, so the front end is might stiff anyway). I can definately feel the difference with the new alloys - it seems to be much more compliant over the same pot holes - I am well impressed - here is a link to the alloys on an S4 - http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/1443262.phtml

Nige.

[Pete.S]

Maybe I'll stick with refurbed Avus wheels after all.

I reckon that's the best option mate. In my honest opinion the S4 is one of the only cars I can think of that's spoilt (looks wise) by fitting non-standard wheels. There was a site up a while ago with photos of the B5 S4 with tens of different wheel combinations fitted, and all looked worse than the Avus. Always seems to make the car look a bit, I dunno, Gary-ish. And if you want to go down that route, may as well buy a Scooby or Evo....

If you browse the RS6.com S4 forum I think you'll find a few pics of S4s with aftermarket wheels, but again, none have impressed. The only option that's ever grabbed me is (and it may well have been someone on here) the B6 S4 with RS6 alloys.

Have you looked into putting the 18" Avus from the B6 S4 on the B5? I'd like to see the result...

[eric_mok]

Dippy, to compound your decision process further, the RS4 replicas I have on my car, 8" wide, 35 offset with 225/40/18 tires, DO RUB, on hard cornering, especially when going over imperfections (small bumps) mid-corner. Rubbing is very minor between the tire sidewall and the inside of fenders, and there are no traces of any shredding whatsoever. I believe rubbing problem is well documented on the Sander's stuff page; regardless of what wheel, width or offset, it still happens. No best move to avoid rubbing is to stick with stock avus.

My setup is with KW V2 suspension that only lowers the chassis moderately (in fear of rubbing). But on everyday normal driving, rubbing is never a problem i might add. Some mates are suggesting that rubbing is caused by my setting being too soft, but personally feel its good enuf on corners, also getting thumbs up from the spouse meter hence i guess this is a compromise i have to live with.

Personal Opinion: 17" Avus is a nice looking wheel, but personally think aesthetic wise the B5 model is born to mate with the RS4 wheels! I think mine handle identical to stock too!

Hope this helps.

[eric_mok]

Dippy, to compound your decision process further, the RS4 replicas I have on my car, 8" wide, 35 offset with 225/40/18 tires, DO RUB, on hard cornering, especially when going over imperfections (small bumps) mid-corner. Rubbing is very minor between the tire sidewall and the inside of fenders, and there are no traces of any shredding whatsoever. I believe rubbing problem is well documented on the Sander's stuff page; regardless of what wheel, width or offset, it still happens. No best move to avoid rubbing is to stick with stock avus.

My setup is with KW V2 suspension that only lowers the chassis moderately (in fear of rubbing). But on everyday normal driving, rubbing is never a problem i might add. Some mates are suggesting that rubbing is caused by my setting being too soft, but personally feel its good enuf on corners, also getting thumbs up from the spouse meter hence i guess this is a compromise i have to live with.

Personal Opinion: 17" Avus is a nice looking wheel, but personally think aesthetic wise the B5 model is born to mate with the RS4 wheels! I think mine handle identical to stock too!

Hope this helps.

[eric_mok]

Dippy, to compound your decision process further, the RS4 replicas I have on my car, 8" wide, 35 offset with 225/40/18 tires, DO RUB, on hard cornering, especially when going over imperfections (small bumps) mid-corner. Rubbing is very minor between the tire sidewall and the inside of fenders, and there are no traces of any shredding whatsoever. I believe rubbing problem is well documented on the Sander's stuff page; regardless of what wheel, width or offset, it still happens. No best move to avoid rubbing is to stick with stock avus.

My setup is with KW V2 suspension that only lowers the chassis moderately (in fear of rubbing). But on everyday normal driving, rubbing is never a problem i might add. Some mates are suggesting that rubbing is caused by my setting being too soft, but personally feel its good enuf on corners, also getting thumbs up from the spouse meter hence i guess this is a compromise i have to live with.

Personal Opinion: 17" Avus is a nice looking wheel, but personally think aesthetic wise the B5 model is born to mate with the RS4 wheels! I think mine handle identical to stock too!

Hope this helps.