Odd Wheel with Quattro

AudiNutta

AudiNutta

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Hi Everyone,

Seeking some advice for a friend. My mate has just purchased a new S3 Saloon 3 weeks ago, only to get a puncture after 1200 miles. Two questions really....

1) Is it definitely OK to replace 1 tyre after this mileage? It is on the rear.

2) We can't get a tyre until early next week, before which he has to drive to work for 2 days. 40 mile round trip. He had the space saver on, but I've now given him a spare Audi full size alloy. His wheels are 235/35/19, the spare is 225/40/18. I know the extra 5mm in profile in theory compensates the difference in wheel size. But I know it's not ideal, but will there be any major damage done driving the car let's say 100 miles with this set up? It has to be better than a space saver?

Crazy to think but Audi can't get the AO fit P Zero, madness. But Kwik Fit and alike can, they are all saying Wednesday onwards so I'm hoping my local tyre place can sort one sooner.

It could have been repaired, but it was driven with a flat somehow and the side walls are badly damaged. The car has TPMS yes, it came up the day before to say a flat and I told him to check and reset the pressures after putting air in, which he said he did but didn't get another TPMS warning so he says!

Thanks in advance,

Matthew.
 
Nope I don't see it being an issue, it's a temporary fix and I'd say better than a space saver,so I'd roll with it,excuse the pun ha.
As for tyre availability, I got a puncture yesterday on my RS3, had to put tyre weld in it to get it home as you don't get a space saver with it,went to National Tyres,none in stock in any of there centres across the U.K.
Guy called head office and was told that the tyres are being manufactured in Italy and won't be here till a week or 2. Pirelli Pzero 255/30 R19 RO1.
2 weeks for my tyres!!!!! And the price ain't cheap either.
 
I thought it must be better than a space saver, Audi let you drive with that so it can't be as bad. It's a brand new tyre on the 18" wheel anyway, so there shouldn't be much difference in size. I just worry for the Haldex, knowing they can be fragile.

Oh god, that is not good.. I don't know how I'd manage haha. If I was stuck like that, I would call the breakdown and get it recovered to home or garage. It's down to the breakdown to supply you with a courtesy car then till your car is repaired. Maybe you should drive it 3 miles away from home and then call them, free car.

I find it crazy that Audi themselves can't find an AO tyre!! I will put in a complaint about that, I'm speaking to Audi UK on Monday anyway. They supply the cars with them, they should have tyres available!
 
Are you sure that calling the Audi breakdown service (AA) for a puncture would give you the option of a loan car?
I think they would just change the wheel to the spacesaver. Audi supply it and it's perfectly OK if used within the recommendations (though it's difficult to keep down to 50mph!)
 
RichardT said:
Are you sure that calling the Audi breakdown service (AA) for a puncture would give you the option of a loan car?
I think they would just change the wheel to the spacesaver. Audi supply it and it's perfectly OK if used within the recommendations (though it's difficult to keep down to 50mph!)
Click to expand...

They could, but a space saver is for emergency use only and I'd say if there was a 2 week delay on getting a tyre.. they have a responsibility to keep you mobile. That's quoting them with the issues with the S3, from the point my car is broken down / recovered it is their responsibility to keep me mobile however it may be.

It's unreasonable to be expected to use a space saver for long periods of time I'd say.

It's like a time when my Dad called the breakdown out for a motorbike puncture. He was working in Bristol and had to travel back to Wales (can't avoid the M4) and they told him he had to stick to 30mph with the repair. Madness. But he didn't have courtesy cover.
 
It should be fine for a few days but I would drive accordingly.

Profiles are percent of width so it's not a direct measurement of tyre wall height and not to be read as 5mm difference although it calculates very close to this (7.75mm)

Space saver diameter : 632.2
18" wheel diameter : 637.2
19" wheel diameter : 647.1

I have a conti 5P A0 tyre for sale with 6mm tread on for £70 if that's any help.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the offer of tyre but he has P-Zero's, which look fantastic. Hoping I can get one for him tomorrow.

He drove the car today and said the traction control kept kicking in, all the time... but I can only assume that means he was putting his foot down which I told him not to do! Oh well, his if he breaks it.

He had it detailed when new, covers were removed at the detailers and not before. First wash, it went to a £5 car wash and has had one ever since... it's heartbreaking. Covered in swirls already. Oh well, any ceramic coating has gone now.
 
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AudiNutta said:
Thanks for the offer of tyre but he has P-Zero's, which look fantastic. Hoping I can get one for him tomorrow.

He drove the car today and said the traction control kept kicking in, all the time... but I can only assume that means he was putting his foot down which I told him not to do! Oh well, his if he breaks it.

He had it detailed when new, covers were removed at the detailers and not before. First wash, it went to a £5 car wash and has had one ever since... it's heartbreaking. Covered in swirls already. Oh well, any ceramic coating has gone now.
Click to expand...
Why would he pay hard earned (presumably) cash to a detailer to then willingly ruin their work?! Madness lol
 
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azibux1 said:
Why would he pay hard earned (presumably) cash to a detailer to then willingly ruin their work?! Madness lol
Click to expand...

He paid for a life shine kit for £200 foolishly, I told him no don't have it put on at Audi.
He paid the £200 to the detailer and the dealer added an additional £200 to get it right for him. Great dealer, that was just on top of the deal!

I gave him a list of wash stuff to buy and use with 0ffers of lessons, I even offered to clean it myself until he bought the stuff but he took it to the local wash before he found time to bring it up.... I'm lost for words, haha.
 
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AudiNutta said:
He paid for a life shine kit for £200 foolishly, I told him no don't have it put on at Audi.
He paid the £200 to the detailer and the dealer added an additional £200 to get it right for him. Great dealer, that was just on top of the deal!

I gave him a list of wash stuff to buy and use with 0ffers of lessons, I even offered to clean it myself until he bought the stuff but he took it to the local wash before he found time to bring it up.... I'm lost for words, haha.
Click to expand...
Ha I see

At least he didn't have it put on by Audi... still a shame he paid £200 for lifeshine though lol
 
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azibux1 said:
Ha I see

At least he didn't have it put on by Audi... still a shame he paid £200 for lifeshine though lol
Click to expand...

Yep it is, but it will be interesting to compare my car to his in 6 months condition wise....
 
AudiNutta said:
Thanks for the offer of tyre but he has P-Zero's, which look fantastic. Hoping I can get one for him tomorrow.

He drove the car today and said the traction control kept kicking in, all the time... but I can only assume that means he was putting his foot down which I told him not to do! Oh well, his if he breaks it.

He had it detailed when new, covers were removed at the detailers and not before. First wash, it went to a £5 car wash and has had one ever since... it's heartbreaking. Covered in swirls already. Oh well, any ceramic coating has gone now.
Click to expand...

Any time I've used a space saver on any car, it causes the TC system to kick in, under normal driving - pulling away from junctions etc. It's the imbalance of the wheels I think that causes it, so he's probably not putting his foot down.
 
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His car really didn't like the wheel!! He was late to work today, an hour late because he had to stop and take it off and back on.

He said the traction control light was flashing constantly and he could hardly accelerate.

Really seems to have upset the car. I might plug it in with Carista and look for fault codes.
 
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