pat27 Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 I run a 3.0TDI Sport fitted with the optional 20"" Wheels on 245/40/20 Tyres.I do I high mileage 50k per year and was considering going back down to 19"" rims for which the tyres are considerably cheaper.The question I have is taht will the ride (which I find Hard) improve on these? Has anyone changed frm 19's to 20's or vice versa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8 Doc Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 Try Kumho tyres for 20 inch wheels. £380 fitted for 4 mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 19" will certainly be comfier than 20", but tyres also play a big part. Which tyres are you running now? I'm very happy with the Dunlop Sportmaxx, good grip, great in wet, pretty quiet etc. But then I run stock Avus rims with 245/45/18 on my S8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigyb Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 I have dunlop sportmax as well, they have great rim protection, especially good on 20" rims. But at £500 a pair they are not cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 I have dunlop sportmax as well, they have great rim protection, especially good on 20" rims.But at £500 a pair they are not cheap. Could be worth the effort to order them from tirerack.com maybe? I ended up buying them from a local internet shop, as they just came up with a nice offer which made it a close call, but the price difference with the regular shops was about €75,- per tyre, including shipping & taxes! Well worth a look on the www. (I payed €175,- per tyre IIRC) And IMHO one should never economize on tyres by getting an inferior brand, certainly not on these powerful cars. Better to look for the cheapest route to get a premium brand tyre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abs Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Try Kumho tyres for 20 inch wheels. £380 fitted for 4 mate. Where's that from mate?? That's a brilliant price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffy3074 Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 I had to take 2 Federal 20's off as they were deadly in the wet, absoultely no grip at all compared to the Michelin Pilot Sports that are on now. They were cheap, looked nice and so on but they would undoubtedly kill you. Cheap tyres and 360BHP just don't go I'm afraid. I went from the standard Avus alloys to 20" final editions when I changed S8's, the ride was noticeable harder on the 20's. Whilst I like the look of the 20's I wish I had the ride quality of the smaller wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickbee Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 I had to take 2 Federal 20's off as they were deadly in the wet, absoultely no grip at all compared to the Michelin Pilot Sports that are on now. They were cheap, looked nice and so on but they would undoubtedly kill you. Cheap tyres and 360BHP just don't go I'm afraid. I went from the standard Avus alloys to 20" final editions when I changed S8's, the ride was noticeable harder on the 20's. Whilst I like the look of the 20's I wish I had the ride quality of the smaller wheels. couldn't agree with you more about the ride quality. i have 20 inch rims, and i dont know what the roads are like where you are, but i spend half my time actively avoiding craters and sunken manhole covers, wincing as the rim hits the multitude of holes we have in our area. I swear some of them are six inches deep, complained loads of times to the council, 'well I'll report it for you sir, but nothing will get done as there is no budget' Rant coming on here so I'll stop, but.... I am very seriously considering changing to an 18 inch wheel and higher profile tyre as I find driving on local roads quite tiring and uncomfortable( anyone up for a swap?). Top Gear magazine have always said of the A/S 8, 'lose the big rims, ruins the ride'! An additional side effect is that my car has a very sensitive throttle, hit a few bumps or potholes and its upsets your foot position on the throttle pedal and makes the car surge suddenly. Maybe tyre choice counts, I'm on michelin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 (edited) Whilst I like the look of the 20's I wish I had the ride quality of the smaller wheels. Yup, I had the same dilemma, but opted to keep the Avus. In the end the ride quality means more to me. I must say I always liked the look of the Avus - just got caught in the 'I want new gear fever' for a while - hence the quest for 20" S-line rims at the time. Couldn't find a pristine set for a decent price (and got warned off by a couple of guys here and on AW that it'd be a nightmare to repair any chips, they were easy to bend in potholes, plus the harsher ride, the more expensive tires, etc.) So I got fed up with it and kept the Avus. Although I still like the looks of the S-line, I must say I now like the Avus even better now. Not too long ago I held a poll on a Dutch Audi forum - in a spur of the moment infatuation with the MTMK - and - somewhat to my surprise - the majority said to keep the Avus. And personally I do like the 'S8 originality' of them, you hardly see them on any other cars. And re tyres: I find the 18" with Dunlop Sportmaxx the ideal combination. Had the SP 9000 before, also great, esp. in wet conditions, but these are quieter and offer more grip in the dry. I heard good reports om the Michelin PS 2 (not 1), but they are a bit noisier and harsher allegedly. And more expensive (in these parts anyway). Edited August 12, 2008 by Sven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceBlue8 Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 I had 20" rims on my D2 A8 when I bought it but quickly changed to original Audi 18" sport rims - the noise and ride quality was hellish, particularly as the tread got a bit thin. And tyres are loads cheaper. I bought the 18" rims on fleabay, had them refurbished and got new set of tyres for about the same price as selling the 20" rims! Seems from the thread above though that the 20" rims are OK if you spend the cash on the right tyres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alymac Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 i would like to swap my 18's for 20's, or buy somebody's, i do like the 18's but the offset is a bit crap, espiecially on the rears, even thought about hubcentric wheel spacers? but they scare me, will allways be thinking will they come off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
las247 Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 I am on the verge of buying some 19's and tyre choice is proving the issue. I can get a set of 'Neutron NT5000' for a tad over £300 which seams a bargain or Avon ZZ3 for a tad over £400 then there are some part warn Michelins Pilot Sport N1 for a similar price to the Neutrons. Mine is a 3.7 Quattro. Next is the size can I get a 255 width under the rear arches without any problems? and can I mix with a 235 or 245 front? I never realised there was so much to tyre choice until reading this thread :confused: I guess the 19's will make a difference from the stock 17" slab sides I have on now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJStrange Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Not sure about Avon ZZ3 - I had nothing but trouble with them on my vectra. I thought I had knackered wheel bearings or CV joints, the noise I was hearing from the front - after much diagnosis, new wheel bearings and tracking, then eventually swapping front to rear on the offchance it was tyres, sure enough it was - the noise stopped. I'd never buy Avon again quite frankly, I got rid of them after 3 months - the guy at the tyre place (who recommended them actually) was like WTF? I took Michelin Pilots and never looked back. Now I don't know if it's the same for the 8, but I wouldn't touch Avon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 I'm using ZZ3s on my A8 and they seem ok to be honest (a tad noisier than some but nothing I'm worried about). Certainly not grumbling given the price. Strangely I have had numerous Michelins and really hate them - noisy and poor grip on previous cars (Saab 900 Turbo SE, Audi S3, Mazda Xedos6...). Toyo T1R and the earlier T1S were superb.... quiet and grippy (Volvo S70 T5, Mercedes C240). Recommended the Toyos to a mate with an S60 and he really loves them now too. Other tyres I like are SP9000 Dunlops (brilliant tyres and lasted 40k miles but expensive up front). I guess its down to personal preference, driving style, road surfaces and the vehicle they are fitted to. If you have a quattro don't mix tyre sizes as it will knacker the transmission as the front and rears will have a different rolling circumference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
las247 Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 (edited) If you have a quattro don't mix tyre sizes as it will knacker the transmission as the front and rears will have a different rolling circumference. Now that is advice I will listen to. Especially given my transmission history. Cheers! That now begs the question; can I fit 255 40 19 tyres all round? The reason I ask is that a friend of mine has a set I can have quite cheap. Edited August 14, 2008 by las247 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 I don't know for definite but I would imagine that should be fine. Difference in the speedo is only 1.3% taller geared (speedo will under read by .8mph at 60 mph compared to existing which is well within the amount they over read by as standard). The width difference is only 10mm (5mm inwards and 5mm outwards) so should also be ok. I'm sure IT_S8 is using 255's on 20" rims on his S8.... Thought your response to the different sizes might be that..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Now that is advice I will listen to. Especially given my transmission history. Cheers!That now begs the question; can I fit 255 40 19 tyres all round? The reason I ask is that a friend of mine has a set I can have quite cheap. I have 255/35 20s on mine and they are fine. Use this calculator and this checklist and you should be fine. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddyH Posted August 15, 2008 Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 My old 19's have 255/40's on they were fine on my '8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
las247 Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Well I've collected the wheels; Genuine Audi S8 12 spokes, refurbed in a gun metal powder coat for the princley sum of £300, they are pristine. Have ordered 2x Brigstone 245/40/19 as these are the closest match to the size I am currently running on 17's. Just need to get paid to buy the remaining 2! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddyH Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I didn't know S8's ever came with 19's. Have you got any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 The only 19" wheels I am aware of are from the D3s. Introduced in 2004 the 19" 12 spoke option looks like this: If what you have there is OEM, have you a part number? Should be embosed on the inside of the wheels. IT_S8 will know for sure! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddyH Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I have a set of those 12 spokes, mine are genuine too. They're currently sat in my garage waiting for me to put them on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
las247 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I have a set of those 12 spokes, mine are genuine too. They're currently sat in my garage waiting for me to put them on ebay. Doh! Mind I doubt you would let them go for 300 quid. Numbers on the wheel are; AS10 62 35104 They are from a D3 W12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 i do like the 18's but the offset is a bit crap, espiecially on the rears, even thought about hubcentric wheel spacers? but they scare me, will allways be thinking will they come off. I gut the hubcentric H&R for 5 years now, never had a problem with them. The wheels fill the arch much better, and I noted even better directional stability with them (that was the only question in my mind at the time). IMHO there's little difference between decent spacers and wheels with a different ET. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddyH Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Doh! Mind I doubt you would let them go for 300 quid.Numbers on the wheel are; AS10 62 35104 They are from a D3 W12 I'm wanting £400 for them with tyres. I did mention them in another thread when you were asking about wheels but as you didn't reply I just assumed you weren't interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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