I have an 05 A8L with the 19" turbine wheels. I want to get the 2011 replica 20" 10 spoke wheels. Spec calls for 35mm offset and the new 20" are a 42mm offset. What do you guys think? Will the 42mm offset work on the 2005 A8L?

You guys know best!

Thanks all.

 

I'm sorry. I should have given you more info:

I currently have the 255/40/19 turbine wheels.

I want to go with a 255/35/20 that has a 42mm offset and the wheel is 8.5" wide - this is a wheel option on the 2011 A8L.

 

I think you have the wrong offset figure for your car. Standard 17" was 43mm....18 & 19" were 45mm from the factory:

http://www.audiworld.com/model/a8/05/05A8.pdf (Page #5...tech specs)

And this 9 spoke 20x9" Audi OEM wheel for D3's: 4E0601025AFZ33 has a 46mm offset:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/4E0_...5_AF/ES382856/

43mm should be good on your car...just a few mm's wider stance.

 

You are bang on!

I spoke with 2 Audi stores this morning and both told me my current offset is 45mm (19" turbine style).

The wheel I want is a 20" with a 42mm offset (China). All the factory A8 wheels are going to 35-37mm offset.

I can buy a full set of Chinese wheels for the price of one factory 20" Audi wheel.

Thanks for your input!

 

Just a note: In normal/light usage, it shouldn't matter...but you will be accepting a large drop in quality to save that $$...many buy refurbished Audi OEM's instead.

The cheapest alloy wheels are usually "gravity cast" ...simply poured into a mold.

Better wheels are either "pressure cast" or "high pressure cast" ...much stronger.

The best wheels are "forged", which are cut/formed from billet ...the best quality available.

Most Audi OEM are forged (even 17" fat-fives) or at least HP Cast.

In the most extreme conditions (example: combo of extreme cold and hitting pot holes), cheaper construction are more prone to breakage and warping. I personally have had pretty good luck with pressure cast in the past, at reasonable prices. Forged are the best, but never cheap.


P.S. The change in offset lately "could" be a change in body/suspension configuration in the newest models...not sure, though(?)