[V8] Wheels

[Ed Kellock]

Roger,

I have several different styles of OEM and a couple sets of
aftermarket wheels that I swap around on my V8s and my Avant depending
on tire need and whim.  I have pix of most of them and can either
forward pix or a link to a photo gallery.

Over the last couple of years I have grown much more conscious of the
weight of wheel/tire.  This stemmed from swapping wheels/tires around
and noticing the difference in crispness of acceleration, ride
quality, and steering feedback.

Lately, I've been trying to stay as close to the stock widths and
offsets as possible.  For example, Tire Rack shows 225/50-16 and
235/45-17 for optional sizes.  If you start looking at diameters
however, you will find other options.  I have come to the conclusion
that those aren't listed by TR because of load ratings.  I have no
problem with that and pay attention to it as well as I find more and
more "XL" sizes that have higher load ratings than the standard tire
in that size.  This makes an otherwise "inappropriate" tire size a
viable option.

Other sizes I consider are:
205/65-15  for snows
215/55-16  a bit tall, but a nice all-around size
235/50-16  very close match in diameter but virtually unavailable anymore
205/50-17  rather widely available in XL w/ appropriate load ratings
225/45-17  many choices available but a bit short in diameter,
heavier, and wider

Basically I try to vary as little as possible from the stock width of
215 and 7.5-inch wide wheels.  None of these are exact measurements
because actual tire dimensions vary considerably, even from the same
manufacturer.

Though I haven't done it yet, I like the idea of 205/65-15 for snow
because it's a bit narrower, has a bit more sidewall, the load rating
is good, and it'll err on the side of too tall which might increase
ground clearance just a tad which can't hurt in the winter.

I have 215/55-16 snows on the Avant on aftermarket 16x7 wheels and am
pleased.  It seems a bit twitchy sometimes and I'm not sure if that's
the tires, the alignment, or the loose bushings in the front.  The
driver's side bushings were pretty well bathed in Pentosin when I
first got the car so they're either slippery, shot, or both.  I don't
think the twitchiness is the tires though because in the dry and with
other tires, I can pitch the thing into a turn and feel the back end
take a step and then set very nicely.  Maybe it's just weight
transfer.

I would consider 215/55-16 for non-snows use but I don't have any
other appropriately sized wheels to do so at this time.

I have some 235/50-16s on OEM A6 4.2 16x8 et35 wheels (it was the all
weather option).  This size calculates out to nearly the exact
diameter of the stock size.  But I can feel the additional width and
weight.  The feel is still acceptable and any differences felt might
be disappear with fresh bushings/alignment.

I really, really want to try some 205/50-17's (also very close in
diameter).  I have some '04 A4 17-inch 5-spoke wheels with 3 different
brands of 225/45-17 and it looks great on the Avant because of the
et40-42 offset, but I really need to see a 205 mounted on the 7.5-inch
wheel to decide if I feel it's an acceptable option.

I won't do 234/45-17.  It's taller and heavier and I just don't see
the need.  For real performance, I have a couple sets of aftermarket
wheels, one with 245/40-17 Michelins and the other 255/40 Sumitomos.
I bought the latter and inherited the former on my black 93 from San
Diego.

On the black 93, I went from the 245's to the 255's, to the 235's
(above), to 205/55-16 snows (on early A4 sport pkg wheels) to the
current and likely final setup, urS4 16x8 et40 with Pirello P-Zero
Nero all season 225/50-16.  I could absolutely feel the difference
with each change.  The urS4/Pirelli combo is the best so far for
combined driving, though I have yet to experience them personally in
the snow.

Let's face it, for me the 245s and 255s are for show only.  I don't
think I'd even choose them for track use, except that I have them
already.  The 255/Sumi combo weighs a whopping 51+ pounds per corner
and can be felt in every way imaginable.  If I were to actually choose
tires/wheels for track use I would use the urS4 wheels or pick a light
17-inch wheel and go for at least 245s on either.

205/55-16s are too small, even on appropriately sized wheels.  They
just don't look right and the load rating is rarely appropriate for
these cars.  A 215/55-16 XL is perfect.  However, it does not compat
well with 8-inch wide wheels.

The aforementioned 205/55-16 snows are old hard destudded Hakka 1's on
A4 16x7 et45 sport pkg wheels.  I was surprised that the tires still
did very well this past winter.  I _love_ the look of these wheels,
but they really just don't fit these cars.  They were perfect on my 89
200q, but on the V8 or Avant, they just don't stick out enough.  I may
try spacers because I like the style so much, but I'm not sure it's
worth it because the wheels aren't particularly light and they're
narrower than stock.  They do fit over UFO's though.

I concentrate on OEM wheels because it limits the choices and ensures
a level of compatibility and reliability that I am comfortable with.
In addition, aftermarket wheels, like aftermarket stereos have gone
hog wild and I just don't care for many of them anymore.

For you, I would recommend nothing more than 16-inch wheels, urS4
wheels if you can, with 225-50s unless I find an "oversize" 215/55
that seems to work.  They're typically recommended for only up to
7.5-inch wide wheels.  I originally had them on the A6 4.2 16x8 wheels
and it worked, but you could tell it was stretched a bit.  Usually the
section width of a 215/55 is wider than 8 inches, but I am trying to
find one with a tread width that's 8 or wider.  So far, 7.7 inches is
the most I've found.

Keep your stock wheels for snows, if you ever choose to go that route.


Ed




On 4/28/08, Roger Woodbury <rmwoodbury at roadrunner.com> wrote:
> Well, it's not too early to think about wheels for the new V8.  The Aero
> wheels on the car simply will not suffice, although I probably won't change
> them until I change the tires.  So this is a fact finding inquiry.
>
> What I am curious about is what kind of experience listers have had with
> wider tires of various sizes.  I doubt that I will be able to accept the
> ride or punishment on the wheels of a 17" wheel, but certainly 16" inch
> wheels should have no difficulty with our rough roads.
>
> One thought that I have had is if I do install different brakes, I will
> likely need different wheels.
>
> The parameter is that we enjoy a lot of frost heaves here, and the roads are
> apt to be quite rough for most of the winter and spring.  So tires must be
> able to absorb quite a lot of shock, or else wheels will be damaged before
> you know it.
>
> Comments from all will be appreciated.
>
> Roger