VroomVroom

<center><img src="http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com/wheels/audi-251-c.JPG"></center><p>Hi Folks,

Noob to Audi and the site. Great stuff here! Just bought an '06 A4 Avant 3.2. It's got the premium package but no TPMS. Any thoughts on these wheels?

A few questions...

1. From a forums search, it appears that Lakeshore is a solid, reputable company. Anything I've missed to the contrary?

2. These wheels are 18x8 with a 35mm offset. Any fitment issues?

3. Any strong recommendations between 235/40 and 245/40 tire sizes?

Thanks in advance!

Brooklyn

my personal thought would be to go with a company that the audi community here can vouch for. that would include hartmann, stratmosphere and velocity. above being said, 18x8 et 35 should fit fine and assuming stock suspension, you should be able to run either 235 or 245/40/18. erring on the side of caution, i'd go with 235. keep in mind that not all 245/40/18 are the same. some tires can be wider than others. whereas one 245/40/18 might not rub, another might...

congrats on the new car.

Brooklyn

oh and stay away from the chrome!

VroomVroom

Thanks for the great advice. Interesting comment on vouching, though, since I only heard of Lakeshore through this forum. A follow-up search seemed to yield significantly positive comments.

I'm leaning toward chrome because of the brilliant red/beige color combo of the car. I'd be happy with polished/clear but haven't found a rim I like in that finish.

I was surprised to notice that Tire Rack specs the 245/40 size. If anything, I'd kind of like to run the 235/40 as it more closely matches the unladen diameter of the stock 17's. Accordingly I'd feel more comfortable when the spare tire is needed.

Thanks again!

Reggie

1. more weight
2. air leakage issues
3. corrosion underneath chrome not detected.

VroomVroom

Yeah, I suppose. Weight? Not a huge deal. It's a daily driver, not a racer. I've been running chrome wheels on vehicles for over 20 years and haven't had leakage or corrosion problems. In fact, the only leakage issue I ever had was with an Enkei painted wheel.

Thanks for the advice - I'm not trying to argue here and I'm always grateful for information. I'm hoping to learn in this thread if there are vendor reliability or product quality problems, and if there might be fitment issues due to the width/offset.

FinnishPride

my .02

Reggie

but Audi drivers will not tell you to your face but they will laugh behind your back (and please no offense is intended here - but ask other Audi posters on the forum who have been around for a while).

Chrome wheels belong on BMWs and MB - This is why you do not see them on Audis as most drivers are more technical and mechanical in nature

jprice@CPS

Silver will look good.

From Hartmann:
<a href="http://www.hartmannwheels.com/site/audi.php">http://www.hartmannwheels.com/site/audi.php</a>
<img src="http://www.hartmannwheels.com/site/products/wheels/audi/Hartmann_500x500_Audi_B7_RS4_251-332_19_Angle.JPG">

Or go here for the Forged version :-)
<a href="http://www.hartmannwheels.com/site/forgedwheels.php">http://www.hartmannwheels.com/site/forgedwheels.php</a>
<img src="http://gallery.hartmannwheels.com/d/395-3/19IN-B7FORGED-B7.jpg">


From Tirerack (AT Italia S6):
<a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR4&url=%2Fwheels%2FDisplayWheel.jsp%3Fwhe elMake%3DAT%2BItalia%26wheelModel%3DS6%26wheelFini sh%3DSilver%2BPainted">http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/DisplayWheel.jsp?wheelMake=AT+Italia&amp;wheelMode l=S6&amp;wheelFinish=Silver+Painted</a>
<img src="http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/atitalia/swap/ati_s6_s_ci3_l.jpg">

allroad'Ed now

That's the old AAA Wheel company, Wheels are often Chinese and soft.