Ok I wanna start shopping for rims for the spring. I want something nice. But I've seen forged rims get bent here. They were way too big and had rubberbands for tires but we have some MEAN potholes here. I've got an 01 A6 2.7t... Is my offset the same as the 2.8 A6 and the S4 from similar years? Im not sure what wheels will fit. I have 17's from an allroad on there now with the sport suspension and its a little rougher than normal lux cars but I can definitely deal. I don't know how bad 18's would be. I commute from Yonkers to Fort Lee, so that brings me through some streets in the BX and Washington heights that are really rough sometimes. Even the highways have some deep wide holes. And it SUCKS hitting those. So basically my question is if I go for 18's they need to be forged right? or theyll bend pretty quick? And as far as the 17's can I fit RS4 replicas? S4 replicas? S6 replicas? etc.. thanks in advance guys. And does it pay to get cheaper rims and have a spare ready for the bend or spend ALOT more $$ and get forged? thanks for your opinions. I've been searching and I see 19's on A6's.. but they dont live here. thanks again.

 

All other things being equal, a forged wheel should be stronger per weight. So, I would not necessarily say "forged" is the problem. There's no substitute for buying a quality rim in terms of knowing you'll have good alloy that can resist the punishment of potholes.

The issue of what size to get is a religious one -- do a search and you'll find TONS of dialog on this. I'm of the opinion that anything larger than 18" on our car is not practical. The performance loss (larger wheels weigh more and detract from performance unless you spend TONS of money to get really good wheels), higher risk of bent rims, harsher ride, and greater cost (not just the wheel but the VERY expensive ultra-low profile tires) all add up to a big thumbs down in my book. There's a TON of ways to spend money improving your car that I think are more worthwhile than spending $4k on 19" wheels and ultra-low profile tires (what you've have to spend to not buy cheap -- something you don't want to do with a wheel that large).

I now invite others to tell me I'm crazy and am bitterly prejudiced against large wheels... <flamesuit_on>

 

No I think youre right.I know forged are stronger but what i meant was I've seen them bend too. And theyre the strongest. So in reality how long are my s4 replicas from ebay going to last? not long. especially in 18 in. with ruberbands for tires. Oh and by the way I have a wholesale account with tirerack and other distributors so the price will be a little less for me : )
So.. 19's are WAY out.. good for florida but not here. 18's ? How bad off do you think ill be? I bent a 17 inch rim already, andthey havesome decentmeaton em. And i dont even remember the pothole that did it. Must not have been too bad.. Sorry for all the questions but my last car was a pathfinder.. lol. Maybe ill try and sign up an account to get the forged neuspeeds at discount ?

 

I think you've answered your own question. If you're bending 17's, 18's aren't going to be any better. Unless...

- you buy a higher quality (stronger) wheel
- stay totally on top of tire pressue (check weekly -- increasingly important as you reduce aspect ratio)
- avoid potholes

 

Don't go any bigger than 18s if you're dealing with pothole country. And you have worse around NYC. I suggest you buy the warranty on any tires you purchase so they're covered even if the rim bends or the sidewall tears. And invest in a full size spare.

And make sure you buy a set of locking wheel nuts. Pretty wheels on a nice car in Yonkers!!!! What an invitation. (I'm an ex-Conn yankee.)

 

HAHAHA Wheel locks are a gimme around here. Even stock civic rims get clipped. I might throw two on each.. haha. it just sucks when you lose that keyand have a flat. My friend had to have his BBS cracked.. Anyway.. Im going to refinish my 17's and see how they look. theyre scratched to HELL right now. If theyre ok looking i might jsut keep them and throw some new rubber on em for the summer. Thanks for the input guys. Wish I was in Florida sometimes.