Hi all,

I have a 2006 A3 3.2 with 18-inch 20-spoke wheels (Audi OEM). One of my Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires was damaged on I-5 here in Los Angeles last night. Unfortunately, the inner sidewall was destroyed, which meant I was riding on the rim for a brief period, which damaged it.

The tire shop says that they contacted every used wheel place in the area - plus a few online shops - and nobody has that wheel. The only place it can be found is from Audi, with a $700 price tag. They offered a discount to $600, though.

Yeah, ouch.

Any advice? Can a replacement wheel be found for less? Should I be looking at an entire new set of rims from Hartmann or similar? Any guidance would be helpful. Thanks.

<img src="http://idisk.mac.com/ried-Public/a3_ried.jpg">

There are at least 3 separate classified forums that you might be able to find what you need.

You might also put a feeler out in the main A3(8p) forum as well. But I would think there is one or more to be had out there.

Quick follow-up question: Does a wheel with ET35 offset fit the A3? Or is ET45 required?

I've found a number of aftermarket wheels available, and the ET35 offset seems quite common.

reported using 45, but you should search here. Problem is rarity of wheel size, but GTI uses the same bolt pattern and ET is very close, I believe, so options must exist.

Try any one of the multitude of wheel repair places online. Road and Track, Autoweek and the like usually advertise some of them. Unless they're cracked and need a lot of welding, they advertise around $150 or so to repair just about any wheel. It costs you around $20 to ship it to them and return shipping is usually included in the price that you pay for the repair. Much better than $800 ea - if you don't care driving on your spare for a few days.<ul><li><a href="http://www.wheelwizard.com/service_rates.htm">http://www.wheelwizard.com/service_rates.htm</a</li></ul>

I've found a set of R8 replicas that are ET42, which seem to be compatible and a better option than replacing a single OEM wheel at greater expense.

Opinions on that? How do 18" R8 replicas look on an A3?

Check this out.

<img src="http://idisk.mac.com/ried-Public/a3_wheel.jpg">

I've had great service from them...<ul><li><a href="http://www.wheelcollision.com/audi4.htm">Wheel Collision Center</a></li></ul>

The only time I graunched a rim like that (on my Corrado) was when I ran Pirellis.

The tire failed at moderate speeds with no road hazard involved (looked a bit like your photo) but Pirelli wouldn't honor it as it was so shredded that "forensic" work was impossible yet they claimed it was underinflated. Funny how the other three sneakers had no such problem before or after that incident.

Needless to say, I have never bought Pirellis again.

-dan

It was dark, and I felt it when i ran over something. Strangely, it felt like only the rear wheel - steering was never affected and i didn't feel it through the steering wheel. It was a pretty big bump, followed by vibration/noise for maybe a second - which sounded pretty much like you would expect a tire shredding to sound like.

Anyway, the tire shop put the rim on the balance machine and showed me the bend. It does have a pretty significant flat spot.

I still have it, in case anyone wants to buy the whole set and send the damaged one to a repair shop. Otherwise I'll just part out the 3 good ones. Audi wants so much for these wheels, hopefully I can save someone else the headache of locating one and make a few bucks back.

Took a drive up PCH to get a feel for the new wheels and tires. So far they're fantastic - makes driving way more fun. I did notice very slight rubbing during hard dips at high speed (100+). Happened twice. It was a bit startling the first time, as the stock rims never did that - but far from something that has me concerned.

Pics:

<img src="http://idisk.mac.com/ried-Public/pepperdine_1.jpg"><img src="http://idisk.mac.com/ried-Public/pepperdine_2.jpg"><img src="http://idisk.mac.com/ried-Public/pepperdine_3.jpg"><img src="http://idisk.mac.com/ried-Public/sunset_1.jpg"><img src="http://idisk.mac.com/ried-Public/sunset_2.jpg">

<center><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/currr/120420081143_2.jpg"></center><p>I thought I was just going too low so I rub.
Well, I only rub on hard turns and big bumps, but other than that, the ride is fine.

And I want your S4 side mirrors. =)

Your replicas are hartmann as well right?
I see on their website they're coming out with 19" suitable for the A3s now too and other companys have 19"s for our cars now.
Really wish i held up and waited for bigger rims.

<a href="http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3868297">http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3868297</a>.

thanks to the tip from <b>.:R2theT</b>. Have to say, the guys were cool as hell and I definitely recommend them.

Also, while I like the idea of 19" rims, there's just no way I'd go with anything bigger in Los Angeles. The streets here are hard enough on my 225/40 low profile tires. Making them even lower just seems like overkill.

Hartmann, where I bought them, sold them for around 265$ a piece. I wonder if they are built with same qualities.

I have ET45 18's lowered to 25.25" (in front) They rub a little. 42s would rub a lot. Too bad, because I really like the R8 wheel design.

Anybody mounting up an ET35 will have almost 1/2 inch of wheel &amp; tire outside the fender line. How much that will rub, well take a guess.