ACHiPo289

I'm looking for winter wheels for my A7. I've heard good things about Hartmann and BBS durability, but am not crazy about the looks of either and are looking for alternatives. Are forged wheels significantly better/stronger than low pressure casting used by the OEM, BBS, and Hartmann? Are the BBS wheels 2x as good as Hartmann?

Thanks

Reggie

All you have heard is right. I had quite a few friends with bent rims bought from some major suppliers. Do your research. Form over function can be a costly choice.

ACHiPo289

Reggie,
That's good, since you're one of my primary sources.

Do you know if I can find weight info anywhere for Hartmann wheels? The BBS wheels are pretty light.

Thanks!

Reggie

I looked on this source but they did not have Hartmann wheels: http://www.wheelweights.net/

I am sure if you contact Hartmann or Achtuning they will supply the info

Gary@Tirerack.com

Unfortunately there is no strength rating or measure of strength on any street wheel, so there is no real objective way of determining a wheels resistance to bending. The road conditions, how carefully you drive, and simple luck will be more likely to determine if you'll damage a wheel.

Wheel weight is something that can be measured of course, and wheel companies generally use forged aluminum when they are trying to reduce the weight of a wheel.

ACHiPo289

Thanks Gary and Reggie!

I just called Hartmann/Achtuning and the 172 model is a hefty 29.5 lbs for an 18x8 wheel (I think this is the one that you run, Reggie?). The "peeler" looking 204 is 24 lbs. I think the BBS CH is about 24 lbs for 18x8 wheel.

I'm not sure what my stock wheels weigh, but they're 19x9 so I'm guessing in the 25 lb range?

I'm leaning toward the Hartmann 172 which is decent looking, and a lot easier to clean than the 204 or BBS CH.

ACHiPo289

Gary,
Email sent.
Thanks!

Motomaniac77

Im not sure what style exactly you are looking for, but I just put these Enkei PF01 on my B5 and LOVE them...(see signature)18" they are light clocking in at 19 lbs. Lighter than the stock 15" that came on the car by just a little. Another light yet strong alternative I see is the Rotary forged TSW Nurburgring wheels. Check them out. The fre pics I have seen of them on Audi's of various body styles look great in my opinion.

lhlee

A good option for all-weather ultra high performance tires are Nitto's Motivo tires. Thanks to Rhino Custom Detailing and Nitto Tires, I was able to try them out for my 2010 S5 and I'm extremely happy with them! Light, grip is awesome, smooth at the same time. Very happy with them and highly recommend trying them out. Great company too.