How is the ride with 22 inch rims?
 

Hi all, I'm new to the Audi family and just got a CPO 2006 A8 W12 this past week! Unfortunately, it came with 18 inch rims and I am desperately wanting to swap them out of a larger size. I am leaning towards getting 22 inch rims but am a tad bit afraid of sacrificing too much comfort for them. How has your experience been with 22's on the lwb A8's? Is the ride way too harsh? Thanks!!

Ummm.... you want to put what on German Engineering?

20's are the perfect size for the A8's wheel well. Anything larger than that would look too big and the you would sacrafice ride quality severly, even on an air suspension.
Funny thing is, i thought the W12 had 20 inch wheels stock?

Sorry, have to agree. It is an A8 not a dodge charger. 22's would be terribly uncomfortable let alone not very pretty on such a nice car.

Actually, according to the window sticker, the 2006 A8 W12 comes standard with 19 inch rims. However, the original owner opted for a "No Charge" option of 18 inch rims instead! I haven't the foggiest on why that happened...Anyways, do you really think these are too big for the A8? And for the asking price, I can't help but be drawn to them!:cool:


http://members.cox.net/snafe6/AUDIA8ONE.JPG

Those are very pretty rims infact. Although, would you rather throw the cash on an un-needed rim, and new tires that do not last very long at all when yours work fine im guessing. Or prepare yourself for further tune-ups or vacations with the fam ;)

I would imagine if he has a W12 he is pretty well off, tune ups are probably the last thing on his mind. You show pictures of the rims but not the size? The rims on that A8 in the pic does look like it has 22"s, but as you can see it has a rubber band for tires, thats what takes the brunt of the impact from a bump, you could very easilly bend a wheel in a hurry. Personally i would throw on 20"s of that same rim. Then get the LLTek lowering sensors, which is what that A8 in the pic has im guessing.

Sorry, I guess giving you the size of the rims would help! The pictured wheels are in fact 22 X 9.5 front an rear with an offset of 35mm front and rear with a Hub Bore of 57.1. I like the way the black W12 wears the wheels over the grey A8. You are right though, those tires look quite thin. I am leaning towards taking your advice on the 20's and the LLtech lowering module, thanks! Decisions, decisions!

Brozee: In the famous words of, my Wife, "Why can't I just have it all?" :D
Seriously though, for the money that I just dropped to purchase my W12, I just can't stand to see tiny 18 inch rims on such a large sedan!

The 18" rims that you have right now gives you a much softer ride than 19 or 20", I actually put older A8 17" wheels in the winter and the ride closes to a Town Car but can't match it...
You'll see what I'm talking about when you'll get your 20's...