Facelift Wheel opinions needed

[DannyDog1306]

Afternoon all,

I currently have an S3 Saloon in Ara blue with 19" V spoke alloys and as much as I love the style of the wheels, I don't like the fact that they are matte and I've never able to get them looking glossy and clean.

I started to look at maybe buying some new wheels and here are my preferred choices so far:

Black gloss/Diamond finish Rotors as seen on the latest RS3's
https://www.google.com/search?clien...AKHQMDC2YQ4dUDCAY&uact=5#imgrc=8TB4SINQrlelfM:
Audi 5 twin spoke star design alloys as seen mainly on the PFL S3's
https://www.google.com/search?clien...UKHbgZAggQ4dUDCAY&uact=5#imgrc=iYeasFwpLqhgtM:
TTRS Twist style alloys but I've not actually seen these on a TTRS to date
https://www.google.com/search?clien...UKHW3-CncQ4dUDCAY&uact=5#imgrc=9JZ3mZNhHTIMXM:

What do you guys think? Has anyone on here swapped there wheels on a Ara blue saloon? Any other wheels I may not be aware of. I love the BBS CHR's but want to stick with the OEM look.

 

[AlS3BE]

Would it not be cheaper refurbing the wheels to a colour and finish of your choosing?
All the wheels look good I think. I kinda prefer the matte finishes to the shiny ones.

 

[DannyDog1306]

Would it not be cheaper refurbing the wheels to a colour and finish of your choosing?
All the wheels look good I think. I kinda prefer the matte finishes to the shiny ones.

I did think of that but then I saw a set of V spokes which had been painted gloss black and they looked a completely different wheel and not in a good way.

 

[AlS3BE]

I did think of that but then I saw a set of V spokes which had been painted gloss black and they looked a completely different wheel and not in a good way.

Gloss black is a hit and miss with most wheels.
Some just looks too boy racer-ish for my liking.
I think a dark chrome/gun metal finish would look really nice in the v spoke. Still shiny but the dark finish adds a bit of depth to it rather than a flat colour finish.

 

[DannyDog1306]

Gloss black is a hit and miss with most wheels.
Some just looks too boy racer-ish for my liking.
I think a dark chrome/gun metal finish would look really nice in the v spoke. Still shiny but the dark finish adds a bit of depth to it rather than a flat colour finish.

Yeah I know what you mean about the black gloss wheels looking boy racer-ish. That seems to be the opinion amongst my friends too. I’ll have a think about changing the look of the V spokes. It’ll be allot cheaper than buying new I would of thought

 

[dp_motley]

Personally. I like simplicity of the rotors. I've been considering your option #1 for a long time but couldn't find them for a reasonable price, so I bought a replica of the option #2 (the PFL S3 alloys). I never liked twisted rotors as your option #3.

Did you consider changing color of your V-spokes? Look at this picture at audizine.

 

[wab172uk]

I currently have an S3 Saloon in Ara blue with 19" V spoke alloys and as much as I love the style of the wheels, I don't like the fact that they are matte and I've never able to get them looking glossy and clean

Audi 5 twin spoke star design alloys as seen mainly on the PFL S3's
https://www.google.com/search?clien...UKHbgZAggQ4dUDCAY&uact=5#imgrc=iYeasFwpLqhgtM:
.

Originals are still one of Audi's best designs. And not done to death like the Rota's have been.

 

[AlS3BE]

I quite like my BE rotors but wished they made it 19s.

 

[DannyDog1306]

Personally. I like simplicity of the rotors. I've been considering your option #1 for a long time but couldn't find them for a reasonable price, so I bought a replica of the option #2 (the PFL S3 alloys). I never liked twisted rotors as your option #3.

Did you consider changing color of your V-spokes? Look at this picture at audizine.

Did you buy those twin spokes in 18” or 19”? If 19”, do you have a pic? I only tend to see 18”s on the S3’s near me.

I like those V spokes with the gloss black rim. It’s the rim part which I don’t like on mine.

 

[Phone Tech]

When u buying the wheels u need to be sure of many aspects ... ! sizes , offsets , widthness, correct tyres etc..
I've been through problems
I am upgrading from 18'' to 19'' and you need specific ones on A3 series !
As I bought wrong alloys they were very nice but ended up sending them back as offset was wrong ET35 ...

 

[dp_motley]

Did you buy those twin spokes in 18” or 19”? If 19”, do you have a pic? I only tend to see 18”s on the S3’s near me.

I like those V spokes with the gloss black rim. It’s the rim part which I don’t like on mine.

I bought 19x8 ET45. All local traders had them ET35 only, so I bought them directly from China. I have a pic of the wheel but I didn't fit them yet as they needed spigot rings 66.45-57.1 while I bought wrong size of 66.6-57.1 which didn't fit. I bought new spigot rings and hope they will arrive tomorrow. Here's the wheel.

 

[Phone Tech]

I bought 19x8 ET45. All local traders had them ET35 only, so I bought them directly from China. I have a pic of the wheel but I didn't fit them yet as they needed spigot rings 66.45-57.1 while I bought wrong size of 66.6-57.1 which didn't fit. I bought new spigot rings and hope they will arrive tomorrow. Here's the wheel.

View attachment 187698

Uuh man u bought replicas wrong ones .. I have ordered exactly same but original .. !
U should have ET49 and bore 57.1 yes .. same I ordered them above and they had 66.od .. now am correct..
Gonna clean them now receiving 4th wheel tomorrow

 

[dp_motley]

Yes, the oem ones have the offset of 49. The replica rim manufacturers make ET25, 35, 45. Actually, I like that mine are ET45 as they would fit more flush with the wing than the oem ET49. I'll fit the wheels with 8mm spacers on the back.

I wish I could get the oem ones.

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Here you go, but machined face with matt gray finish and a breeze to clean., unlike the two shown above, those were my OEM original wheels. Hartman well made replica RS6 wheels, uses original Audi R13 radius lug bolts, not tapered as most non OEM alloys, and Audi centre caps
19 x 8.5 Et 47 fitted on my Ara S3.

 

[OCDaveS4]

That is one lovely looking car !! Just love Ara...

 

[Phone Tech]

At last all frustration is over got nice upgrade to 19'' 3 wheels spot on slight scuffs but 4th has significant dents and wheel cost me £200 will need refurbish ..
But from distance car looks awesome .. those wheels are massive

 

[dp_motley]

Upgraded mine too Ride feels harsher though, but the look is awesome. There's no comparison to the boring oem 18" silver 5-double spoke alloys.

 

[Phone Tech]

Upgraded mine too Ride feels harsher though, but the look is awesome. There's no comparison to the boring oem 18" silver 5-double spoke alloys.

View attachment 187771

What's harser? I don't feel much difference but I have changed tyres blacklion champoint bu66 235 /35/ ZR19 91Y XL and they are nice smooth and quieter.. than roadstone eurovis sport 04 235 40 ZR18 95W XL

But now brake discs looks soo little haha it needs upgrading to bigger .. but then it needs proper calipers too

 

[dp_motley]

What's harser? I don't feel much difference but I have changed tyres blacklion champoint bu66 235 /35/ ZR19 91Y XL and they are nice smooth and quieter.. than roadstone eurovis sport 04 235 40 ZR18 95W XL

But now brake discs looks soo little haha it needs upgrading to bigger .. but then it needs proper calipers too

Agree on the brakes looking too small. This was my first impression after changing the wheels as I started with the rear one. But replacing the brakes with the S3 version would be a pretty expansive project, not sure I could afford it. What is needed for it anyway?

As to the harsher ride, I notice road imperfections more, even those that I didn't notice or that felt smoother on the 18" wheels. But it was expected. Also, I inflated my tyres one bar more then on the 18s, so perhaps I have to deflate them to the 18" tyre level given I have a light 35TFSI car.

On the tyres, I used to buy premium tyres only and they used to be quieter and more comfortable than most budget or medium level tyres. I changed from the soft Dunlop to the soft Assy 5.

There is a difference between your and mine setup. You have the light forged oem alloys that weigh 9,5 kg each. My replica weights 11.9 kg, so the wheels may feel differently for you and me. Add to this that my car is lowered. Is yours?

 

[Phone Tech]

Agree on the brakes looking too small. This was my first impression after changing the wheels as I started with the rear one. But replacing the brakes with the S3 version would be a pretty expansive project, not sure I could afford it. What is needed for it anyway?

As to the harsher ride, I notice road imperfections more, even those that I didn't notice or that felt smoother on the 18" wheels. But it was expected. Also, I inflated my tyres one bar more then on the 18s, so perhaps I have to deflate them to the 18" tyre level given I have a light 35TFSI car.

On the tyres, I used to buy premium tyres only and they used to be quieter and more comfortable than most budget or medium level tyres. I changed from the soft Dunlop to the soft Assy 5.

There is a difference between your and mine setup. You have the light forged oem alloys that weigh 9,5 kg each. My replica weights 11.9 kg, so the wheels may feel differently for you and me. Add to this that my car is lowered. Is yours?

Yeah S3 or RS3 brake setup is like £1000 unfortunately or can be even more .. but it is fine am fine with it .. of course u will need
front calipers complete because they allow 345mm discs to be fitted .. we have 312 mm and rears s3 or rs3 are 310
so front rear calipers £500 (used) £800-1000 (new) 345mm and 310mm discs £500 (used) £1000 (new) or even more..

I don't have imperfections at all. I had wheels properly fitted balanced I had wheel alignment done few weeks back .. replaced wheel bearings fronts
Runs perfectly smooth ... My tyres are now at 36 psi .. previous 18'' I had 40 .. man who fitted these new said 40 is too much ...

I don't believe the words ''premium'' tyres .. it is all lie .. of course there are bad ones but there are far better cheaper ones but it is like with everything else .. if big companies wants advertise it is only about it.. and they don't want another new brands to be stand out.. they will either buy them .. and Blacklion tyres and Roadstone/Nexen are great .. but they deny it because they know they are good but the don't want that ppl will start buying them... (it is exactly same like with everything else apple knows Huawei is getting best but they try to destroy them by banning .. They cannot be sold in USA otherwise ppl would start buying huawei instead of crApple) ..

Yes lighter wheels then much much faster launch accelerate from stop ..

 

[dp_motley]

Did I say the ride got harsher? Ignore it. It was a typo Lol

Seriously, I was about to ask my wife on a way home today if she noticed any ride comfort loss when she asked me if everything was all right with the wheels as they felt quieter and softer/more forgiving on road imperfections. She thought that perhaps the tyres deflated a little thus the ride got smoother

The ride did get smoother, actually, but without me doing a thing for it. I guess the tyres needed to break in a little which had happened during the 100 km of use. Everything is fine now