19" RS6 replica wheels - information and install pics.
05-25-2007, 04:01 PM
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19" RS6 replica wheels - information and install pics.
Hi all,
I got a set of 19" RS6 wheels for my avant back in February (gotta love SoCal) and didn't have a chance to post a write-up until now... At any rate, here goes!
The goods:
- 19x8" ET45 RS6-style replica wheels (these are the "type 172" carried by many retailers).
- General Exclaim UHP tires in 235/35/R19
- Wheels/tires purchased from (and mounted/balanced by) <A HREF="http://www.thewheelexchange.com">The Wheel Exchange</A> - highly recommended.
- <A HREF="http://www.ecstuning.com">ECS Tuning</A> 15mm rear spacers in back.
- H&R 5mm spacers up front. (also purchased from <A HREF="http://www.ecstuning.com">ECS Tuning</A>)
- RAD extended wheel bolts (tapered seat), purchased from <A HREF="http://www.purems.com">Pure Motorsport</A>.
I originally wanted the wheels with a 35mm offset, but apparently they're not being made in ET35 anymore. ET45 it is. The higher offset is actually good in that it allows for different spacer options/combinations, so you can get the spacing-to-fender exactly where you want it. That being said, these wheels do present some challenges with spacer fitment. More on that later.
The wheels arrive:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheels_arrive.jpg">
As you can see, The Wheel Exchange pads the wheels/tires (like TireRack does), but also shrink wraps them for the ultimate in protection during shipping. Nice.
Are those OEM?!?! No.
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheels_replica.jpg">
Weight:
A lot of people are concerned about wheel weight, especially with replica vs. OEM wheels. Here's the low-down on these in particular:
18x8" OEM Ultrasport w/ 235/40/R18 Conti tire:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/18x8ultrasport_w_235_40_r18_conti_weight.jpg">
19x8" RS6 replica w/ 235/35/R19 General tire:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/19x8_rs6rep_w_general235_35_r19_weight.jpg">
As you can see, the OEM 18" wheel/tire is roughly 53 lbs. and the 19" RS6 replica wheel/tire is around 55.5 lbs. Approximately 2.5 pound weight increase per corner. Considering this is a 1" diameter increase, that's not too bad. Butt dyno says, "Can't really tell a difference in acceleration." (translated from butt dyno language to English for your convenience)
Centercap:
Although these wheels do come with "four rings" centercaps, they don't look all that hot. Luckily some OEM centercaps snap right in! Part number 4B0 601 170 7ZJ.
OEM (left) vs. replica (right) centercaps:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/centercaps.jpg">
(this is actually a really flattering picture of the replica centercap, somehow - the OEM ones really do look <i><b>way</b></i> better)
OEM centercap installed:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/oem_centercap.jpg">
One more not on the OEM centercaps: although they <b>do</b> snap right in, first remove the metal rings in back -- makes it much easier to get the main, plastic part of the centercap snapped in. Actually, before re-installing the metal ring on the centercap, you'll probably have to snip off about 1/8" of it, as the inside must fit just a wee bit tighter than on an OEM wheel. You'll see. No biggie.
Spacers:
I really wanted the outside edge of the rear tires to just "kiss" the inside of the fender. I love that look. So after some measuring of my tire-to-fender distances I decided to go with 15mm spacers in back and 8mm spacers in front. One could probably could go more aggressive in front, but I didn't want the front to rub when turning, plus having the rear stick out more gives a sort of quasi-staggered look.
Unfortunately the centerbore chamfer of the replica wheels isn't as deep/angled as that of the OEM wheels. Looky here:
OEM wheel centerbore chamfer:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/oem_wheel_centerbore_chamfer.jpg">
Replica wheel centerbore chamfer:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_centerbore_chamfer.jpg">
See how the chamfer on the replica wheel isn't as deep/angled? This rules out a bunch of hubcentric (meaning "with lip to center wheel on hub") spacers, such as the H&R 8mm and 10mm, and the ECS tuning 10mm and 12.5mm. (see pics of the various spacers <A HREF="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=V6%2030v&model=B 6%20A4&submodel=Quattro&category=Suspension&subcat egory=Wheel%20Spacers">here</A>)
Here's the problem, illustrated:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/spacer_diagram.jpg">
...which means no hubcentric spacers up front.
To allow a bit of hub sticking out for the wheel centerbore to "grab", I went with a 5mm, non hubcentric (ie flat) H&R spacer in front. I would have liked an 8mm, but 5mm it is.
Finished product:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_on_car.jpg">
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/19x8rs6_et45_15mmecsspacer.jpg">
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheels_side.jpg">
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_front.jpg">
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_rear.jpg">
Very pleased with the results. Oh, one last note: with aftermarket wheels you never know when they might get discontinued, go out of stock at distributors, etc., so it's a good idea to get a set of five. An even better idea? Get a fifth tire, too, and have a spare:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_spare.jpg">
I hope this was informative!
Brian
I got a set of 19" RS6 wheels for my avant back in February (gotta love SoCal) and didn't have a chance to post a write-up until now... At any rate, here goes!
The goods:
- 19x8" ET45 RS6-style replica wheels (these are the "type 172" carried by many retailers).
- General Exclaim UHP tires in 235/35/R19
- Wheels/tires purchased from (and mounted/balanced by) <A HREF="http://www.thewheelexchange.com">The Wheel Exchange</A> - highly recommended.
- <A HREF="http://www.ecstuning.com">ECS Tuning</A> 15mm rear spacers in back.
- H&R 5mm spacers up front. (also purchased from <A HREF="http://www.ecstuning.com">ECS Tuning</A>)
- RAD extended wheel bolts (tapered seat), purchased from <A HREF="http://www.purems.com">Pure Motorsport</A>.
I originally wanted the wheels with a 35mm offset, but apparently they're not being made in ET35 anymore. ET45 it is. The higher offset is actually good in that it allows for different spacer options/combinations, so you can get the spacing-to-fender exactly where you want it. That being said, these wheels do present some challenges with spacer fitment. More on that later.
The wheels arrive:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheels_arrive.jpg">
As you can see, The Wheel Exchange pads the wheels/tires (like TireRack does), but also shrink wraps them for the ultimate in protection during shipping. Nice.
Are those OEM?!?! No.
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheels_replica.jpg">
Weight:
A lot of people are concerned about wheel weight, especially with replica vs. OEM wheels. Here's the low-down on these in particular:
18x8" OEM Ultrasport w/ 235/40/R18 Conti tire:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/18x8ultrasport_w_235_40_r18_conti_weight.jpg">
19x8" RS6 replica w/ 235/35/R19 General tire:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/19x8_rs6rep_w_general235_35_r19_weight.jpg">
As you can see, the OEM 18" wheel/tire is roughly 53 lbs. and the 19" RS6 replica wheel/tire is around 55.5 lbs. Approximately 2.5 pound weight increase per corner. Considering this is a 1" diameter increase, that's not too bad. Butt dyno says, "Can't really tell a difference in acceleration." (translated from butt dyno language to English for your convenience)
Centercap:
Although these wheels do come with "four rings" centercaps, they don't look all that hot. Luckily some OEM centercaps snap right in! Part number 4B0 601 170 7ZJ.
OEM (left) vs. replica (right) centercaps:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/centercaps.jpg">
(this is actually a really flattering picture of the replica centercap, somehow - the OEM ones really do look <i><b>way</b></i> better)
OEM centercap installed:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/oem_centercap.jpg">
One more not on the OEM centercaps: although they <b>do</b> snap right in, first remove the metal rings in back -- makes it much easier to get the main, plastic part of the centercap snapped in. Actually, before re-installing the metal ring on the centercap, you'll probably have to snip off about 1/8" of it, as the inside must fit just a wee bit tighter than on an OEM wheel. You'll see. No biggie.
Spacers:
I really wanted the outside edge of the rear tires to just "kiss" the inside of the fender. I love that look. So after some measuring of my tire-to-fender distances I decided to go with 15mm spacers in back and 8mm spacers in front. One could probably could go more aggressive in front, but I didn't want the front to rub when turning, plus having the rear stick out more gives a sort of quasi-staggered look.
Unfortunately the centerbore chamfer of the replica wheels isn't as deep/angled as that of the OEM wheels. Looky here:
OEM wheel centerbore chamfer:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/oem_wheel_centerbore_chamfer.jpg">
Replica wheel centerbore chamfer:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_centerbore_chamfer.jpg">
See how the chamfer on the replica wheel isn't as deep/angled? This rules out a bunch of hubcentric (meaning "with lip to center wheel on hub") spacers, such as the H&R 8mm and 10mm, and the ECS tuning 10mm and 12.5mm. (see pics of the various spacers <A HREF="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=V6%2030v&model=B 6%20A4&submodel=Quattro&category=Suspension&subcat egory=Wheel%20Spacers">here</A>)
Here's the problem, illustrated:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/spacer_diagram.jpg">
...which means no hubcentric spacers up front.
To allow a bit of hub sticking out for the wheel centerbore to "grab", I went with a 5mm, non hubcentric (ie flat) H&R spacer in front. I would have liked an 8mm, but 5mm it is.Finished product:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_on_car.jpg">
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/19x8rs6_et45_15mmecsspacer.jpg">
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheels_side.jpg">
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_front.jpg">
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_rear.jpg">
Very pleased with the results. Oh, one last note: with aftermarket wheels you never know when they might get discontinued, go out of stock at distributors, etc., so it's a good idea to get a set of five. An even better idea? Get a fifth tire, too, and have a spare:
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36709/rs6_wheel_spare.jpg">
I hope this was informative!
Brian
05-25-2007, 05:23 PM
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They look awesome. I had same hubcentric problem.
I ended up still using 8mm H&R non-hubcentric spacers because I had to in order to fit over brakes. i tried hubcentric at first but found out the hard way they wouldn't work. So I sent them back and got the non-hubcentric and crossed my fingers. I have no problems with them, though. Wheel still centers quite well.
