20's - should I or shouldn't I?

[kmpowell]

Out of the blue today I had a call from a dealer I'd been speaking to before Christmas. I'd been negotiating a new C7, but he couldn't get close to a figure I wanted PCM.

He calledme to tell me he had a C7 come into stock today that was VERY close to my spec, and the numbers he gave over the phone are seriously good indeed for a used car, including a really good p/x on my B8.

September 65 plate, 1 private owner, with 2k miles on the clock
[PA7] Gloss black styling pack
[PC2] Red brake callipers
[8RF] B&O Advanced sound system
[3FU] Panoramic glass sunroof
[6FJ] Black exterior mirror housings
[VW4] Privacy Glass
[0P6] Sports exhaust system

So a great spec (apart from the B&O it's exactly what I would have chosen), but, and it's a big but, it's riding the 20's and not 21's. I would spec 21's because IMO they are essential for finishing off the aggressive look.

Part of me says that the deal on the table is so cheap I should to go for it, but part of me says that when spending this much on a car it should be perfect. Then I start debating in my head about powder coating them, or trying to source a set of 21's on eBay, but then what are the chances of a gloss black set coming up. Then another part of me says the B&O more than outweighs the 21's.

There's no real objective to this post, more using you guys as a sounding board and welcoming opinions.

[Leo-RS]

20's are a nice looking wheel but look a little lost on the C7. It definitely loses its aggressive stance on the 20's, they don't quite fill the wheel arch properly.

There are a set of brand new Gloss black 21's on eBay at the moment for £3k. You would get £1.5k minimum for your 20's so cost to change would be £1500.

They very often come up 2nd hand on eBay for around £2k aswell so you may just want to keep an eye until they come up.

[Leo-RS]

There's also a best offer option on a set of used gloss black wheels from Germany £1824 so you could possibly get these for around £1600. Few marks on them and no tyres but an option none the less

[Ian_C]

Do it! Of all the options on the car, the 21s are the easiest to retro fit....

Keep an eye on ebay for a set of 21s, run the 20s until the tyres are worn out in the meantime, bolt on the 21s, sell 20s polished up with the old tyres removed

[Paulm]

I love my 20's but as said they don't fill the arches. The car needs 21's or lowered. I intend lowering mine hopefully I will get the look I am after.

[S4WON]

B&O is an expensive box to tick to never recoup

What sort of money is it? Id say needs to be less than 70....

[Markp]

Do it. You can always buy 21s afterwards.
Plus 20s look surprisingly good in the flesh - nice dish not evident in most pics.
I actually prefer them.

[MikeFish]

Do it. You can always buy 21s afterwards.
Plus 20s look surprisingly good in the flesh - nice dish not evident in most pics.
I actually prefer them.

+1

Do it. If you get fed up with the 20s there are plenty of options for oem 21s on ebay or go aftermarket. Wheels are one of the easiest things to correct. B&O is a very expensive option even as a 2nd hand retrofit.

[W8PMC]

Is the ride/handling better on the 20's?

I think the 20's are one of the nicer looking wheels for the RS6 as some of the 21' option wheels look out of place I think. I do like the PE wheels though.

If the spec is what you want then wheels really shouldn't be a deal breaker. You may end up preferring the 20's, they may ride better, you can lower the car a little or source aftermarket wheels.

[Markp]

Is the ride/handling better on the 20's?

I think the 20's are one of the nicer looking wheels for the RS6 as some of the 21' option wheels look out of place I think. I do like the PE wheels though.

If the spec is what you want then wheels really shouldn't be a deal breaker. You may end up preferring the 20's, they may ride better, you can lower the car a little or source aftermarket wheels.

Marginally better as you would expect. Slightly less crashy ( but 21s are good too) and possibly less tramlining under power ( can be an issue). Plus a lot lighter - and we all love unsprung mass

[Stubox]

If the deals that good and the spec has some plus points then do it. Plenty of nice wheels available. Could even keep the 20s for winter tyres ( this is obviously mostly to make man maths work correctly).

[KikapuRS]

I would go for it, as previously stated rims are by far the easiest element to retro fit and there are so many cool options available. I passed a black C7 on 20s the other day and was surprised at how good they looked, much better than they look on the configurator image. If this deal is making C7 ownership a realistic possibility over a B8 I would go for it, it's a far better car ( in my opinion)

[Bit_evl]

I would have the B&O option and price straight away. I have seen a couple on 20" and had to look twice to confirm they were not 21's. You will benefit from the lighter axle loading as well. Let's face it the 21"s at definitely a fashion choice. Nice one mind you.

The B&O on the other hand will pay you back in full every journey. It was the on feature my mouse hovered over more than any other during the select process, but I was too tight !

[KikapuRS]

. I have seen a couple on 20" and had to look twice to confirm they were not 21's

Yep me too

[kmpowell]

Having slept on it, Ive come to the conclusion that spending that amount of cash on a car it does need to be perfect, and I don't really want to be faffing with eBay and/or powdercoating etc on a new(to me) car.

Anyway, the dealer has put the car on AUC, and this is what it looks like. I think the car desperately needs the black wheels I would have specced if it had been me choosing. The 20's look a bit lost.