Looking at Quattrings older pics with the DPE LS5 - I have decided to take the plunge and get those wheels for my S5. That said, I don't think I want to go with 20" as the ride would be very harsh and the wheels would be a bit heavier.

I don't want to install spacers, but I would like to see how I can "fill" the wheel well using other means...so here is my question -

The S5 comes standard with 19x8.5 wheels - if I replace these with 19x10 wheels, would that be the equivalent of 20mm spacers? or am I way off here?

You can have them made in whatever offset you want, which means if you do it correctly, you won't need spacers.

I agree with rs4. I loved my DPE's when I had them & the fit/finish was remarkable.

Hmmm but I'm not really understanding how going from stock 19 to after market 20 (1 inch) makes a huge difference in ride quality & weight, in fact stock rims pound for pound are normally much heavier than after markets so stepping up to a 20 would probably not gain much significant weight??

Anyway, IMO If you're going to pay that much money for rims/tires, then fill up the wheel well. Most German cars are designed with that in mind.

Since DPE's are custom built, so you can get them to fill the wheel wells w/o spacers regardless of width. If you are going to get one of their Signature Series wheels, you can order in any size and any offset. Personally, if I was in your shoes, I'd order a set of signature wheels in 19x9 or 20x9 with staggered offsets (and thus staggered lips). There's no real need to get wider wheels in the back as you have a quattro car.

I went with 19x8 and 19x10 on my DPE's b/c the R-series only offers those size increments and 8s on the back would have looked anemic to me (and I'm guessing quattrings applied the same logic to his purchase).

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94343/dscn1167_small.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/94343/cimg0401.jpg">

I'm contemplating trying a different style wheel this time around (same sizes again though).

Your TT is looking good - makes me miss my MK1!

sure about your change of wheels. I've actually warmed up to them. They don't look as overly complicated in your sig pic. Two questions/requests for you though.
1. Have you been trading in your old cars? B/c there are many of us who would love to buy them. I for one am definitely interested in your S5 when the time comes.
2. You need either a gallery or at the very least a sig that pulls together all your cars. B/c you've done awesome jobs on all of them.

I have been selling my cars on the private market before heading down to the dealer. I made a mistake on my last A6 and sold it way too early (March 2007) in anticipation for the S5 in June 07 but we weren't actually able to take delivery of the S5 until Oct 15 2007. Normally I keep Audis 2-3 years and keep the miles down - usually about 20 - 30k. I drive relatively little because my job is within a mile of where I live so any driving is generally pleasure miles.

That's a great idea about tying together all of the pics. I have GBs worth of pics of the TT in various stages. As much as I like the S5, the TT was one of the most fun cars that I have ever owned. (Modded of course) :)