20" wheel options (OEM or aftermarket)
04-01-2013, 05:58 PM
#11
AudiWorld Senior Member
Personally, despite how "cool" some aftermarket wheels look, on certain cars, I'm a firm, firm believer in OEM units.
One would need to spend an inordinate sum to get an aftermarket wheel built to the same quality and performance standards as the factory wheel. In fact, even if you spent a ton, you still might never equal that quality. In this case, Audi makes millions of Q5 vehicles, sold around the world, with the same choice of wheels. I would venture a guess, that the biggest aftermarket wheel manufacturer might be lucky if they sold half as many wheels. TOTAL. Let alone, for a specific sub-model.
It's economy of scale, for the OEM.
And I certainly bought aftermarket rims for my cars, as a young punk. Despite the initial visual infatuation, the aftermarket rims never fared well in the long run.
One would need to spend an inordinate sum to get an aftermarket wheel built to the same quality and performance standards as the factory wheel. In fact, even if you spent a ton, you still might never equal that quality. In this case, Audi makes millions of Q5 vehicles, sold around the world, with the same choice of wheels. I would venture a guess, that the biggest aftermarket wheel manufacturer might be lucky if they sold half as many wheels. TOTAL. Let alone, for a specific sub-model.
It's economy of scale, for the OEM.
And I certainly bought aftermarket rims for my cars, as a young punk. Despite the initial visual infatuation, the aftermarket rims never fared well in the long run.
04-01-2013, 06:04 PM
#12
AudiWorld Super User
I run 17" winters on my 3.0T. AFAIK, all NA models use 330mm front brakes.
04-01-2013, 06:17 PM
#13
AudiWorld Super User
2013 specs showing differently
17's on A8's can go up to the 360mm brakes from experience, so it could well work. Perhaps more of a watch area with some non-OE wheels where wheel barrels may not be optimized to brake caliper shape and the fit is close.
Aside: I've seen a few spec's suggesting hybrid ones might actually be even a bit larger in front, but not what the U.S. web site currently shows.
04-01-2013, 06:25 PM
#14
AudiWorld Newcomer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've never had an issue with "aftermarket" wheels. OZ, BBS, HRE, etc. make quality wheels. Quite frankly I'd be surprised if Audi actually makes any wheels at all given they're in the business of building cars. Even cheap winter wheels (Sport Edition, Moda, MSW) have served me well, but I may have just been lucky.
But, I'm not planning to buy HRE, Fikse, ADV1, BBS or other wheels I run/have run on other vehicles I own but only b/c I don't want to spend $5k+ on a set of wheels for my wife's SUV. This is probably the "inordinate sum" that dougnash is talking about needing to spend to outperform the OEM wheels, but these wheels are significantly better than a set of one-piece Ronals.
Appreciate all the input on the wheels. If I can find a set of OEM 20s, I will probably get those, but I'm sure as heck not paying the dealer for them.
04-01-2013, 06:38 PM
#15
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SoCal
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think I was asserting that Audi made the wheels. If so, that wasn't my intent. But I'm pretty sure I indicated OEM, and that's the point, irregardless of the other semantics. Even if Dunkin' Donuts made the wheels for Audi, they are going to make millions of just one model, and those will be held to the higher overview of the manufacturer.
04-01-2013, 06:49 PM
#16
AudiWorld Senior Member
I just happen to have 
some Audi OEM 20's with 255 45 r20 goodyear eagle RSA's in the garage if you live close....
they are shown in my gallery on the Q...
some Audi OEM 20's with 255 45 r20 goodyear eagle RSA's in the garage if you live close....they are shown in my gallery on the Q...
Last edited by JohnBoyToo; 04-01-2013 at 06:54 PM.
04-01-2013, 06:52 PM
#17
There are a lot of good options and dont be afraid to go aftermarket if you know your desired offset.
I have had good experiences with VMR and BBS so far.
Im going to put my my oem B8 S4 wheels on the Q5 this week.
19x8.5 ET 43 "potato peelers" with OEM fit 10mm spacers from Black Forest Industries.
This will bring me in line with the same offset as the 20" package.
Mounting 255/19/50 extremecontact dws....should do the trick for getting that planted feel and sporty look.
I have had good experiences with VMR and BBS so far.
Im going to put my my oem B8 S4 wheels on the Q5 this week.
19x8.5 ET 43 "potato peelers" with OEM fit 10mm spacers from Black Forest Industries.
This will bring me in line with the same offset as the 20" package.
Mounting 255/19/50 extremecontact dws....should do the trick for getting that planted feel and sporty look.
04-01-2013, 06:59 PM
#18
AudiWorld Senior Member
I don't think I was asserting that Audi made the wheels. If so, that wasn't my intent. But I'm pretty sure I indicated OEM, and that's the point, irregardless of the other semantics. Even if Dunkin' Donuts made the wheels for Audi, they are going to make millions of just one model, and those will be held to the higher overview of the manufacturer.
04-01-2013, 07:01 PM
#19
AudiWorld Senior Member
04-01-2013, 07:05 PM
#20
AudiWorld Newcomer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
However, I'm looking for something with a gunmetal or anthracite finish... I think they had this finish in the OEM wheel... just going to be tougher to find.
Adbender... I'm looking at VMR's right now, and have also heard very good things about them. Thanks for the affirmation.