OEM 18s or 19s

[Stolky]

Getting ready to order an S4.

From the pics I like the design of the factory 18s better than the 19s, but the 19" wheel looks more aggressive.

Which way would you guys go?

[Infra]

Well I know some people on here are looking at the 18"s for winter tires. Maybe you could negotiate a deal to sell them your 18"s and then get an aftermarket wheel you prefer.

[Stolky]

Well I know some people on here are looking at the 18"s for winter tires. Maybe you could negotiate a deal to sell them your 18"s and then get an aftermarket wheel you prefer.

That's a thought. I see aftermarket wheels that range from pretty inexpensive ($200 ea.) to crazy expensive. I'm assuming that the OEM wheels are pretty high quality. Where do I look if I want something at least equivalent in quality to the OEM wheels?

[ChrisMT79]

I hate that you cant get a set of allseason tires on either one of the wheels on the s4 [headbang] Thats all I am trying to get without having to buy another set of wheels.

[Phantom S5]

I have 19". I love my 19s, and don't regret not getting the 18s. Although the 18s are limited to the S4 model, and the 19s are to prestige models, I still rather would go 19 in any case (unless they were ugly, which they aren't).

Here are some pictures of my car with the 19s:

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0012.JPG
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0014.JPG
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0017.JPG

[Skyler@Achtuning]

Where do I look if I want something at least equivalent in quality to the OEM wheels?

Hartmann has quite a few wheels available for the B8 S4. Hartmanns are the nicest replica wheels available in the world and I'd rate them easily as on par with OEM Audi wheels. They are made in the same foundries that are producing high end wheels for German tuning companies that sell for close to $4k-set.

Here's a few B8's on Hartmanns

Hartmann Euromesh 3 Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/999/resized_small/Audi_B8_A4_Hartmann_Euromesh_3_19_CB.jpg

Hartmann Euromesh 4-GA Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2433/resized_small/Audi_B8_A4_Hartmann_Wheels_Euromesh-4-GA_18_VL1_HWM.jpg

Hartmann HGTI-139-MB Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2074/resized_small/Audi_B8_S4_Hartmann_HGTI_139_MB_18_SS1_HWM.jpg

Hartmann HLP-410-GS:M Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2240/resized_small/Audi_B8_S4_Hartmann_Wheels_HLP-410-GSM-19_DY1_HWM.jpg

Hartmann HR8-GA:M Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2430/resized_small/Audi_B8_A4_Hartmann_Wheels_HR8-GAM_18_JP1_HWM.jpg

Hartmann HR8-GS:M Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2121/resized_small/Audi_B8_S4_Hartmann_HR8_GSM_19_ED3_HWM.jpg

Hartmann HRS4-252-GS Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2125/resized_small/Audi_B8_S4_Hartmann_HRS4_252_HS_20_JH2_HWM.jpg

Hartmann HRS6-204-MA Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2427/resized_small/Audi_B8_A4_Hartmann_Wheels_HRS6-204-MA_19_AM1_HWM.jpg

Hartmann HS5-209-GA:M Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2445/resized_small/Audi_B8_S4_Hartmann_Wheels_HS5-209-GAM_19_HK1_HWM.jpg

Hartmann HTT-256-GS Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/718/resized_small/Audi_B8_S4_Hartmann_Wheels_HTTRS_256_18_BB3.jpg

Hartmann HTT-256-MA:M Wheels
http://cdn.hartmannwheels.com/gallery/2234/resized_small/Audi_B8_A4_Hartmann_Wheels_HTT_256_MAM_19_NG1.jpg

http://shop.achtuning.com/Hartmann-Wheels-for-Audi-B8-S4.aspx

[Sandy S]

I've decided that I like the 19's a lot. I can't wait to take my winter wheels off and put them back on.

[Nickyracer]

S4's 19" OEM optional wheels are good-looking and suit car's styling greatly. But they're heavy (unsprung weight affects comfort, handling, braking and acceleration) and slightly larger in diameter. I ordered my S4 with stock 18" wheels, sold OEM summer tyres and used wheels for the winter. Bought lightweight aftermarket 19" OZ's with better summer performance tyres. That's the optimal choice, IMHO.

[S4mat]

I went 18". Since old man winter is almost here I'm taking the 18" summer tire off. Putting Bridgestone Blizzak LM60 on November-March.

In the summer I'll get a nice set of 19" wheels/tires....if the funds are available. Otherwise the summer 18s go back on.

[Phantom S5]

I'm going to have to put winter tires on my 19s. I'm not sure but I'll figure something out. I was planning on getting 19 or 20s for next spring, such as Oz, with high performance tires.

[speedchangesU]

Getting ready to order an S4.

From the pics I like the design of the factory 18s better than the 19s, but the 19" wheel looks more aggressive.

Which way would you guys go?

19's all the way

[Infra]

Also, it's a $900 option for the 19"s. That's a little less than the cost of the tires alone, so if you get after-market 19" wheels, either way you go it's about the same cost.

20"s do look pretty nice on this car too, though.

[jdphog]

S4's 19" OEM optional wheels are good-looking and suit car's styling greatly. But they're heavy (unsprung weight affects comfort, handling, braking and acceleration) and slightly larger in diameter. I ordered my S4 with stock 18" wheels, sold OEM summer tyres and used wheels for the winter. Bought lightweight aftermarket 19" OZ's with better summer performance tyres. That's the optimal choice, IMHO.

This makes sense to me. I'm tempted to modify my order to change the 19s to 18s. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any discount for going from 19s to 18s with the prestige package. I would use the OEM 18s for winter and buy a set of light 18x8.5s for mounting 245/40 summers.

How much do the stock 19s and 18s weigh? I'd like to know how much I'd be reducing the unsprung weight by.

I'd like to be able to find this type of information (wheel weight, etc.) for myself, but I haven't had much luck finding detailed information on the Audi site. Any pointers?

[Nickyracer]

This makes sense to me. I'm tempted to modify my order to change the 19s to 18s. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any discount for going from 19s to 18s with the prestige package. I would use the OEM 18s for winter and buy a set of light 18x8.5s for mounting 245/40 summers.

How much do the stock 19s and 18s weigh? I'd like to know how much I'd be reducing the unsprung weight by.

I'd like to be able to find this type of information (wheel weight, etc.) for myself, but I haven't had much luck finding detailed information on the Audi site. Any pointers?

18x8" stock wheels with stock tyres weigh 24,5 kilos (about 54 pounds), OZ Ultraleggera 19x8" with 245/35R19 Michelins weigh 19,7 kilos (43,5 pounds)

There's site called somewhat wheelweights.com - it contains weight of almost any production wheel (without tyres).

[jdphog]

18x8" stock wheels with stock tyres weigh 24,5 kilos (about 54 pounds), OZ Ultraleggera 19x8" with 245/35R19 Michelins weigh 19,7 kilos (43,5 pounds)

There's site called somewhat wheelweights.com - it contains weight of almost any production wheel (without tyres).

It looks like the site is actually wheelweights.net, but they don't list many Audi wheels.

From another Nickyracer post, I know that his car came with Potenza RE050As, which Tire Rack lists as 26 pounds for 245/40R18s. So, the stock 18x8s must weigh about 28 pounds.

Does anyone know how much the stock 19x8.5 5-tri-spokes weigh with or without tires (if with tires, specify tire model to allow calculation of wheel weight)?

I've tried both my dealer's parts department and the Audi advocate line, and, unbelievably, neither can tell me how much the stock wheels weigh.

[L0U]

I would estimate the stock 19x8.5s at very close to 28lbs. I'll put mine on the scale and weigh the tire plus rim set for michelin pilots...which are the lightest tires of the 19s that come on the car oem.
as per the scale:
my S4 winters are 40.5lbs
my a3 winters are 37lbs (went with 16s ultraleggeras)
my a3 summer titanium editions 18x7.5 235x40-18 hankook evo 12s 46.5 lbs
my fx45 winters are 60lbs each! (18x8, with 265x60)
the S4 oem summer 19s with michelins are 54lbs

the tires weigh 24lbs, so the rims should be 30 max. The other set we calculated came out to 27lbs.....I am betting they weigh 29.

[Leo]

the S4 oem summer 19s....tba

My S4 OEM summer's (with the Dunlop's) are 56 lbs each.

[L0U]

My S4 OEM summer's (with the Dunlop's) are 56 lbs each.

hmm well the dunlops are heavy mothers. 29lbs each. (making the rim 27?)

the michelin and pirelli are a svelt 24lbs. for a total of 51lbs

maybe the heavy C&D tester had the extra 20lbs of dunlop. LOL

I'll lose 40 more pounds in winter mode.

[Nickyracer]

Heard from our local Audi fans that OEM's 19" rims at RS4 B7 are about 14-15 kilos each (32-33 pounds). Guess they're almost identical to S4 B8's 19" rims. Don't remember the exact weight, but if anyone insists, I'd try to find it.

[jdphog]

We have one data point that says the B8 19s are 27 pounds--better than 32, but not light. Of course, more data points would be useful if others are able to weigh their wheels or wheel/tire combinations.

I've convinced myself to change my order to get the 18s instead of the 19s. Aesthetics aside, I think aftermarket 18s will lead to better performance: less unsprung weight, less rotational mass, better steering response/handling (not sure about the last one). The tires will still be 245mm wide, and I'm assuming that I'll be able to afford better tires. Does anyone have any thoughts on this, pro or con?

I ordered the Prestige package, which in the US includes the 19s, so unfortunately, I will be leaving some money/value on the table by switching to 18s. The other issue is that my dealer isn't sure what the option code is for doing this, even though the Audi "Build your own S4" pages show it as a possibility with the Prestige package. Do any of you know the option code?

[A6.S-line]

We have one data point that says the B8 19s are 27 pounds--better than 32, but not light.

I've convinced myself to change my order to get the 18s instead of the 19s. Aesthetics aside, I think aftermarket 18s will lead to better performance: less unsprung weight, less rotational mass, better steering response/handling (not sure about the last one). The tires will still be 245mm wide, and I'm assuming that I'll be able to afford better tires. Does anyone have any thoughts on this, pro or con?

I ordered the Prestige package, which in the US includes the 19s, so unfortunately, I will be leaving some money/value on the table by switching to 18s. The other issue is that my dealer isn't sure what the option code is for doing this, even though the Audi "Build your own S4" pages show it as a possibility with the Prestige package. Do any of you know the option code?

Order some lightweight, aftermarket 19s and then sell your OEM Prestige 19" wheels when they arrive

[jdphog]

Order some lightweight, aftermarket 19s and then sell your OEM Prestige 19" wheels when they arrive

I'm hoping to change the order to get the OEM 18s so that I can use them for winters. I'll make a separate decision on which type/size of summers I want.

[L0U]

We have one data point that says the B8 19s are 27 pounds--better than 32, but not light. Of course, more data points would be useful if others are able to weigh their wheels or wheel/tire combinations.

I've convinced myself to change my order to get the 18s instead of the 19s. Aesthetics aside, I think aftermarket 18s will lead to better performance: less unsprung weight, less rotational mass, better steering response/handling (not sure about the last one). The tires will still be 245mm wide, and I'm assuming that I'll be able to afford better tires. Does anyone have any thoughts on this, pro or con?

I ordered the Prestige package, which in the US includes the 19s, so unfortunately, I will be leaving some money/value on the table by switching to 18s. The other issue is that my dealer isn't sure what the option code is for doing this, even though the Audi "Build your own S4" pages show it as a possibility with the Prestige package. Do any of you know the option code?

2nd data point. 54lbs on the scale for my michelin on the 19s. minus 24 for the tire. 30lbs wheel.
I bet the tire is closer to 25 though....they likely rounded down. If I had to guess i'd say 29lbs for the stock wheel.

[legbend]

I got the 19's mainly for the tires. I'm not a big fan of the wheel design, but it has $1000 worth of tires.