2018 - 2021 TTRS 18" wheels and tires

[rohaianan]

My 2021 TT RS came with 20" wheels and tires. What advantage if any would going to 18" be? I would think ride quality would improve, but would it improve handling performance overall?

[ourlee]

I’m on 18” wheels, 9.5” wide, 45et. Def more comfortable than stock 19s. Here’s a few pics with 255/40 Michelins. The wheels are Neuspeed 122s over Stoptech 355s.

[8STTRS]

My 2021 TT RS came with 21" wheels and tires. What advantage if any would going to 18" be? I would think ride quality would improve, but would it improve handling performance overall?

Ride quality is extremely subjective but, handling could improve depending on the setup you get but, you'd have to be fairly purposeful in your selection. Wheel weight, wheel width, wheel offset, tire compound, tire height, tire width, etc., all play a factor in how your car connects to the ground. The more concerted the effort to emphasize handling dynamics, the more likely it will play a factor in that end result. But it could also have a measurable impact upon your acceleration, braking, and even fuel economy.

[rohaianan]

I wanted to get winter tires to swap with my 21" original tires. I could not see spending $600 for winter/snow tires, since the only other choice was summer tires. I ordered 18" wheels so I can have a choice of tires that are much less expensive. I also notice that people who track their cars tend to use smaller diameter tires. It may be to get thru tires and buy less costly models. 18" seems to be the right size to get less expensive good quality tires, and clear the huge brake caliper on a TT RS. Enjoy the ride. I love my new TT RS. It is possibly the best car I've ever owned. I've owned other German cars, Mercedes, BMW, VW, this is the most satisfying, by far.

[McTTRS]

Started with the 20's and quickly went to 19's but now have moved on to 18's. The ride is smoother with the larger sidewall and also the wheels are better protected against road hazards. I like the handling better in the turns as the additional sidewall allows for additional lateral flexibility. Each wheel with tire is like 7+ pounds lighter that the 20's which not only improves handling (wheel conforms to road variables more quickly) but make the car quicker . I have measured the 0-60 and I am down to 3.15 with no changes other than the wheels and an aftermarket exhaust.
https://imgur.com/gallery/YQUqixr

[rohaianan]

@McTTRS Too funny I have the same 21' Nardo Grey TTRS. I am waiting on the 034 motorsports 18" Forged rims. The car looks great. What tires did you put on? Just that change and exaust shaved off enough to get you 3.15s 0-60? That's fantastic. Did you notice if it helped with understeer when pushing her?

[McTTRS]

255's only because Tire Rack was out od the 265s at the time. To help with understeer, I run the rear tire pressure a little higher to loosen up the car for better rotation in the turns. To the same end, I have installed an adjustable rear sway bar (Neuspeed) on previous TT's.

[MiniRS4]

My 2021 TT RS came with 21" wheels and tires. What advantage if any would going to 18" be? I would think ride quality would improve, but would it improve handling performance overall?

I live in downtown NYC and found the 20" OEM wheels absolutely undriveable. They are too big (and heavy) and the tire is wrapped over the wheel. You feel every blemish, bump, etc. It doesn't help that the Magneride is poorly tuned as well.

I ended up going w Gloss Black NEUSPEED RSe11R in 18x.9.5, wrapped in Michelin MP4S 265/40-18. Paul from SPP helped me with the sizing. It is very important to keep the outer diameter within a few percent (1-3%) of the OEM size as the car's computer does not play well with smaller or larger diameters.

That said... even though i have a bit of a rally look (which i don't mind at all), the car drives WAAAY better than before, and less than perfect roads are bearable. Whereas before the fact, the car was undriveable (where i live).

On the handling end, I cannot comment too much as this is a commuter car, and I don't really put too much load into corners. But I will say from time to time when i get on it, i can feel the car's computer tuning out the torque steer. The taller tires do feel a bit squirmy under load in a straight line.

Pics to follow...

[nothingbutspeed]

So many guys go as wide as 285/35/18 in terms of tire choice while being lowered etc. One friend lowered on H&R springs and with that tire, and another on MSS Track. I personally run 275/35/18 as I'm only on a 9" wheel with MSS Track setup. Mind you, all 3 of us have the 034 camber plate kit too, but the wider tire does have a great look to it and provides sidewall if you want even in a 35 ratio. Another guy on insta runs 265/40/18 I think at stock height and looks MEATY think his insta is miamibluettrs ?

Enjoy and don't think you can go wrong going to an 18, just make sure it clears the calipers!

[turtle631]

Agree with you, ride with stock 20s is pretty bad and that is not much sidewall to protect the wheels. I just put on a set of apex SM-10 in 18x9 with 245/40/18 Michelin snow tires. This wheel was designed for Volkswagen fitment but works fine on our platform. Ride is way better. I also have a set of BBS RI-A 18x9 that I will be pairing with 255/40/18 PS4s come spring.

[MiniRS4]

I live in downtown NYC and found the 20" OEM wheels absolutely undriveable. They are too big (and heavy) and the tire is wrapped over the wheel. You feel every blemish, bump, etc. It doesn't help that the Magneride is poorly tuned as well.

I ended up going w Gloss Black NEUSPEED RSe11R in 18x.9.5, wrapped in Michelin MP4S 265/40-18. Paul from SPP helped me with the sizing. It is very important to keep the outer diameter within a few percent (1-3%) of the OEM size as the car's computer does not play well with smaller or larger diameters.

That said... even though i have a bit of a rally look (which i don't mind at all), the car drives WAAAY better than before, and less than perfect roads are bearable. Whereas before the fact, the car was undriveable (where i live).

On the handling end, I cannot comment too much as this is a commuter car, and I don't really put too much load into corners. But I will say from time to time when i get on it, i can feel the car's computer tuning out the torque steer. The taller tires do feel a bit squirmy under load in a straight line.

Pics to follow...

Very hard to photo black wheels against a white car. Apologies in advance, but you get the idea. Nearly identical outer diameter to OEM 20" wheel. No rubbing and no issues with the nannies or shift points. Perfect fitment.

[rohaianan]

Lots of good feedback. Thanks. Do the '21 TT RS have tpms sensors inside the wheels? If they do what happens when you put wheels on without the tpms sensors in the wheels?

[MiniRS4]

Lots of good feedback. Thanks. Do the '21 TT RS have tpms sensors inside the wheels? If they do what happens when you put wheels on without the tpms sensors in the wheels?

I am certainly not the resident expert here, but my '18 did NOT come w TPMS.
I believe it is an option or comes in one of the packages.

If you search there is someone who retrofitted the OEM TPMS to their vehicle successfully.
If you do have TPMS and mount wheels without the sensors, it will simply not show any values in the HUD.

I hope that helps.

[Pitbulldad520]

IMG_2733.jpg
18x9 rse06

[Geo_ffrey]

double

[Geo_ffrey]

Lots of good feedback. Thanks. Do the '21 TT RS have tpms sensors inside the wheels? If they do what happens when you put wheels on without the tpms sensors in the wheels?

Yes, my 21 has tpms.

Just looked at the audiusa page and it lists direct tpms as standard.

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[BeTTo RS]

My 2021 TT RS came with 21" wheels and tires. What advantage if any would going to 18" be? I would think ride quality would improve, but would it improve handling performance overall?

I haven’t seen OEM 21” wheels on a TT RS 8S, could you be so kind and upload some pictures?


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[mtwallace85]

I haven’t seen OEM 21” wheels on a TT RS 8S, could you be so kind and upload some pictures?


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Stock 21” TTRS wheels don’t exist.

[rohaianan]

Typo'd it with 21". I corrected it. Thanks.

[BeTTo RS]

Typo'd it with 21". I corrected it. Thanks.

Great! It wasn’t an OCD thing from my part. I really thought it could be a set of OEM 21” wheels for the TT.


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[BeTTo RS]

Stock 21” TTRS wheels don’t exist.

Yes, I know that they don’t exist until the model year 2021. I didn’t know if it was something new. Thanks.


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[rohaianan]

I received my 034 motorsport 18" wheels and mounted EXTREMECONTACT DWS 06 PLUS - SIZE: 265/35ZR18 tires. I can not believe just how different my '21 TTRS feels. the extra space on the tires really makes a difference in handling, road feel, turning and perceptable effort gaining speed. i did not put new TPMS sensors in the new wheels. the tire location did not get them in time. i have a TPMS error. but it does not affect the car other than not getting tire info. i called my dealer to see how much it would cost to have Audi install them. Just the linstallation labor and programming will cost $270. this is without the cost of the sensors themselves. Can the programming just be done by an audi dealer?

[mtwallace85]

I received my 034 motorsport 18" wheels and mounted EXTREMECONTACT DWS 06 PLUS - SIZE: 265/35ZR18 tires. I can not believe just how different my '21 TTRS feels. the extra space on the tires really makes a difference in handling, road feel, turning and perceptable effort gaining speed. i did not put new TPMS sensors in the new wheels. the tire location did not get them in time. i have a TPMS error. but it does not affect the car other than not getting tire info. i called my dealer to see how much it would cost to have Audi install them. Just the linstallation labor and programming will cost $270. this is without the cost of the sensors themselves. Can the programming just be done by an audi dealer?

I had the shop remove the sensors from the stock wheels and put them on my new wheels. No dealership necessary.