Which titanium rims to get?

[Slav4ikMD]

Hi, I am new to this site and looking for some guidance:

My new '15 S4 is coming in a few days and I am looking to get another set of wheels for winter tires. I love the titanium style and wondering which of the websites that sell imitation rims are more reputable and have better quality. These are the ones I found for reasonable prices: are they all pretty much the same or not?

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_S4-Quattro-3.0T/Wheels/Aftermarket_Alloys/Alzor_Wheels/ES2207750/

http://www.purems.com/Products/AU510-1880-5112-HB35-AU510-18-Hyper-Black-Machined-Face-ET35-Wheels-Set

http://www.aspecwheels.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=2421_2422_2434&product_id=4660

Also if anyone has any leads on used 18' rims and some winter tires, I'd much appreciate that. I am in NY. Thanks!

[o1turbo30v]

Yeah those are all about the same....get the ones from ECS.

[Slav4ikMD]

So the Alzor's are not worse, given that they are cheaper (only $399!)? Are they all pretty much identical replicas?

I do like the purems ones are they seem to be a little darker... but more pricey.

And thinking to get blizzak tires...

If anyone has any other thoughts, I'd appreciate it. Looking to not spend too much money hopefully.

[SteveYem]

We have a set of the Alzor 18" reps on my wife's car and I have no major complaints other than each wheel took a crap ton of weights to balance out, and we are still getting some minor vibration. Of course that could be the tires, but I have a gut feeling it's the wheels.

[Big_Daddy]

Hartmann's?:

http://shop.achtuning.com/Hartmann-Wheels-for-Audi-B8-S4.aspx

[Slav4ikMD]

Hartmann's are (I am guessing) better quality, but will be around 1200-1400 for a set... Just a bit much I think.

[o1turbo30v]

Hartmann's are (I am guessing) better quality, but will be around 1200-1400 for a set... Just a bit much I think.

Not really, they are all made in china, Hartmann is Achtuning's brand and Alzor is ECS's, I wouldn't be surprised if they came from the same factory. For winters dude just buy the cheaper ones, same low pressure cast construction.

[DGVR6]

Not many people know this but narrow wheels and larger side walls are best for a winter setup.
Go for some cheap wheels bro, the meatier the sidewalks the less chance for bends.

[Slav4ikMD]

Yeah, that's what I figure... The ones for $399 sound like a pretty damn good deal. Will go with 18', 245/40/18 tires. On tire rack, Blizzaks are $192 a tire, not too bad. They also have some inexpensive Dunlops at 170.

Can also get the same wheels on tire rack for like 620, might make sense to do that, to have them mounted and not have to worry about doing that separately...

[Bikel]

Not really, they are all made in china, Hartmann is Achtuning's brand and Alzor is ECS's, I wouldn't be surprised if they came from the same factory. For winters dude just buy the cheaper ones, same low pressure cast construction.

Not so fast my friend... My set of Hartmann HR8's are actually made in Germany. Just say'n....

[o1turbo30v]

Not so fast my friend... My set of Hartmann HR8's are actually made in Germany. Just say'n....

Ok I stand corrected, two of my friends had them and I swear the boxes they came in said made in Taiwan or some other Asian country, could be wrong.

[TSXCman]

Which ones are made of titanium?

[robokn]

NONE, they wouldn't work and would cost about 10k each wheel if even possible

[TSXCman]

Just bugging you, hah. I was getting a kick out of hearing it

[S4tranquility]

We have a set of the Alzor 18" reps on my wife's car and I have no major complaints other than each wheel took a crap ton of weights to balance out, and we are still getting some minor vibration. Of course that could be the tires, but I have a gut feeling it's the wheels.

Just for the record... My 19" Alzor Ti wheels with 255-35-19 Continental DWS only took 1, 2, 4, and 6 wheel weights (5g ea?) to balance. Better than my OEM peelers.

[Slav4ikMD]

Another quick question: if I get 18' wheels, it's fine to get 245/40/18 winter tires, right? That 40 won't be too big, correct? I don't think they make winter tires with 35... Just want to make sure I order the right set.

[o1turbo30v]

245/40/18 is the stock size, use it.

[xuandatou]

Personally I would go with Hartmann, saw those titanium once wheels in person, love the finish ! But they are pricy [:(]

[A4 Joe]

Hartmann's on my 2014. Very happy. Smooth as silk. $1100 or so shipped.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h407/Joearch56/1EA4581C-88E6-43DF-B312-7402CB0471FA.jpg

[CARGUYROB]

Not many people know this but narrow wheels and larger side walls are best for a winter setup.


I have heard this too over the years. A narrower wheel/tire will do more cutting through the snow rather than riding on top of it. You get better traction that way.

[somedude]

I have heard this too over the years. A narrower wheel/tire will do more cutting through the snow rather than riding on top of it. You get better traction that way.

I can confirm that theory. I put 205/50/17 on my B5S4 last winter and I was able to drive like a dick in some pretty unbelieveable situations. Counterpoint my W12 with 275/35/20 is horrible in the snow even though it carries the weight of a battleship it is a scary ride on anything that is more than a few inches of snow. I am not suggesting it would get stuck easily but it will not stop or turn with percision at all.

[RudyH]

I can confirm that theory. I put 205/50/17 on my B5S4 last winter and I was able to drive like a dick in some pretty unbelieveable situations. Counterpoint my W12 with 275/35/20 is horrible in the snow even though it carries the weight of a battleship it is a scary ride on anything that is more than a few inches of snow. I am not suggesting it would get stuck easily but it will not stop or turn with percision at all.

Sorry confused the W12 has wider tires then the 205's? This is expected to be scary to attempt to drive.

[Dion@Achtuning]

Not really, they are all made in china, Hartmann is Achtuning's brand and Alzor is ECS's, I wouldn't be surprised if they came from the same factory.

Far from the truth.

Hartmann Wheels are manufactured by a German company, same one that produces wheels for Borbet, Techart, Brabus, and many other reputable wheel manufacturers. [up]

[Slav4ikMD]

So I've been trying to do more research on the titanium wheels and it really seems that they are NOT all the same, at least in terms of appearance. Seems like the cheaper Alzor wheels have more of a matte finish and are much much lighter grey, which somehow gives them a "lighter" and thinner appearance. I do want something more beefy and shiny, particularly to go with my Dakota grey pearl effect body. It seems that these: http://www.aspecwheels.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=2421_2422_2434&product_id=4660 are the best buy for that gunmetal shinier color - BUT they say they are for B6 and B7, although the size seems to be the right one. Any thoughts? I'll call them on Monday to clarify, but was just wondering if anyone knows...

[david55838]

Don't cheap out on your $50k + S4. If you like the Titanium style, go for the Hartmanns, or spend even more on OEM Black Optics take offs. Peeling finish or a freeway shimmy is the last thing you want.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l80/david55838/DSC_9902_zps59f7a5df.jpg (http://s93.photobucket.com/user/david55838/media/DSC_9902_zps59f7a5df.jpg.html)

[BDNY7]

Don't cheap out on your $50k + S4. If you like the Titanium style, go for the Hartmanns, or spend even more on OEM Black Optics take offs. Peeling finish or a freeway shimmy is the last thing you want.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l80/david55838/DSC_9902_zps59f7a5df.jpg (http://s93.photobucket.com/user/david55838/media/DSC_9902_zps59f7a5df.jpg.html)

Wanting to cheap out for winter rims isn't that big of a deal, they will get beat up anyway and will be much cheaper to replace if one bends. Just because I opted to put the $400 Alzor for winter doesn't mean I cheap out on my car because I'd rather use the money saved towards nicer summer wheels which I did by recently ordering BBS CH-R's. Just my honest opinion.

[Slav4ikMD]

David, are those Hartmann's on your car?

Could you comment specifically on the size of wheels that I posted? Will then fit my car? Thanks!

BTW do Hartmann's come in 18'?

[S4tranquility]

Here are the Alzors in 19". Winter setup. I miss my summer tire responsiveness already.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/S4tranquility/DB672DF5-B484-4509-9CD1-6141CF899A46_zps8zpea2eh.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/user/S4tranquility/media/DB672DF5-B484-4509-9CD1-6141CF899A46_zps8zpea2eh.jpg.html)

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/S4tranquility/5457C7B5-EEFE-4622-B4F7-3848B3418BFA_zpsq1fcrk4k.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/user/S4tranquility/media/5457C7B5-EEFE-4622-B4F7-3848B3418BFA_zpsq1fcrk4k.jpg.html)

[Slav4ikMD]

Thanks! Those Alzors look very good. My car is basically the same color (Daytone grey pearl effect - can barely tell the difference).

S4tranquility, did you consider other brands of titanium wheels? I know can't beat Alzor's price.... I just wish I could actually SEE all of those wheels "live" next to each other.... I am hoping for something with a "heavier" and shiner feel to them... I don't mind the extra 200 bucks, just not sure if they are *really* different wheels.

One can get so OCD with this stuff... I'll just have to pick something this week! LOL

[S4tranquility]

Thanks! Those Alzors look very good. My car is basically the same color (Daytone grey pearl effect - can barely tell the difference).

S4tranquility, did you consider other brands of titanium wheels? I know can't beat Alzor's price.... I just wish I could actually SEE all of those wheels "live" next to each other.... I am hoping for something with a "heavier" and shiner feel to them... I don't mind the extra 200 bucks, just not sure if they are *really* different wheels.

One can get so OCD with this stuff... I'll just have to pick something this week! LOL

I had a set of Alzors on my B5 S4 along with half a dozen other wheels and the Alzors were quite good so I didn't think twice about it. The quality of these things in terms and of looks is very good. They balanced up with fewer wheel weights than the stock peelers, which doesn't suck. In the end, they're wheels... If they look good and last a few winters, who cares if they're the "cheap" option.

The center cap holes are maybe 1-2 mm smaller so the stock peeler center caps didn't want to snap in. Fortunately I had a spare set. Broke 1 as I was working them in with a flathead. I already ordered a set of the slightly smaller ones.

[VenturiRS]

I had a set of Alzors on my B5 S4 along with half a dozen other wheels and the Alzors were quite good so I didn't think twice about it. The quality of these things in terms and of looks is very good. They balanced up with fewer wheel weights than the stock peelers, which doesn't suck. In the end, they're wheels... If they look good and last a few winters, who cares if they're the "cheap" option.

The center cap holes are maybe 1-2 mm smaller so the stock peeler center caps didn't want to snap in. Fortunately I had a spare set. Broke 1 as I was working them in with a flathead. I already ordered a set of the slightly smaller ones.

Could you provide a link for the centercaps?

[Slav4ikMD]

Yes, would appreciate the link for the center caps that fit the Alzors! Thanks!!

[S4tranquility]

Could you provide a link for the centercaps?


Yes, would appreciate the link for the center caps that fit the Alzors! Thanks!!

Ordered off eBay from a US seller. I will post the exact place after I receive them and verify they fit better.

[S4tranquility]

Ordered off eBay from a US seller. I will post the exact place after I receive them and verify they fit better.

Well the caps came and are still a little too big. Here are the diameters of the center caps. Exterior is self explanatory. For interior I measured from the outside of the clips (furthest point out).

Alzor caps: exterior=69mm; interior=58.5mm.
eBay China: exterior=69mm; interior=61.0mm.
eBay Cali: exterior=68.5mm; interior=61.0mm.

The search continues.

[VenturiRS]

Well the caps came and are still a little too big. Here are the diameters of the center caps. Exterior is self explanatory. For interior I measured from the outside of the clips (furthest point out).

Alzor caps: exterior=69mm; interior=58.5mm.
eBay China: exterior=69mm; interior=61.0mm.
eBay Cali: exterior=68.5mm; interior=61.0mm.

The search continues.

Grrr... thanks, I'll keep popping back in here.

[emnahum]

Grrr... thanks, I'll keep popping back in here.

Anyone tried these stickers?

http://www.audidecals.com/4x-AUDI-Wheel-Center-Caps-68mm-White.html

[DK207]

I just put a set of 18" Alzors with Blizzaks on my 2014. No issues, other than I'd love to get some different center caps on there. Why spend more when you are just going to beat them up in the winter?

[S4tranquility]

Anyone tried these stickers?

http://www.audidecals.com/4x-AUDI-Wheel-Center-Caps-68mm-White.html

You'd want 60mm to stick on the provided Alzor caps. At least the ones I have.

[Starman2112]

Hartmanns site said they were out of stock on 18x8 earlier in the week so I went with Alzors.

ECS site says the alzors need Ball seat lug bolts... Dumb question - Do the stock 19" peelers use ball or conical? (Not near the car at the moment)

[d.p]

Pretty sure OEM wheels use ball seat.

[AWDLover]

Anyone tried these stickers?

http://www.audidecals.com/4x-AUDI-Wheel-Center-Caps-68mm-White.html

See this link for the stickers I went with for the alzor wheels: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/624420-Offset-ET35-vs-ET45-what-s-the-difference?p=10257554&viewfull=1#post10257554

[S4tranquility]

Hartmanns site said they were out of stock on 18x8 earlier in the week so I went with Alzors.

ECS site says the alzors need Ball seat lug bolts... Dumb question - Do the stock 19" peelers use ball or conical? (Not near the car at the moment)
Yes ball seat and same radius and length so you can reuse the stock lug bolts.

[audistealth]

Why put stickers on this car, anywhere?

[emnahum]

Why put stickers on this car, anywhere?

To cover the "Alzor" center caps with the Four Rings.

[emnahum]

See this link for the stickers I went with for the alzor wheels: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/624420-Offset-ET35-vs-ET45-what-s-the-difference?p=10257554&viewfull=1#post10257554

I tried that last night and had problems, but just ordered them now and it worked fine. Thanks.

[audistealth]

To cover the "Alzor" center caps with the Four Rings.

I gathered that, but a sticker? It just seems really tacky.

[AWDLover]

Why put stickers on this car, anywhere?

Just winter wheels so I didn't want to spend 15-25% the cost of the wheels on trying to find audi centercaps that fit. They're like hard plastic with a sticky backing and look alright.

[audistealth]

Just winter wheels so I didn't want to spend 15-25% the cost of the wheels on trying to find audi centercaps that fit. They're like hard plastic with a sticky backing and look alright.

No argument on cost from me, I'm not in the pinky out 50000$+ car, spend more crew.

I'm just having a hard time picturing a sticker working out in a good way. Best of luck.

[emnahum]

No argument on cost from me, I'm not in the pinky out 50000$+ car, spend more crew.

I'm just having a hard time picturing a sticker working out in a good way. Best of luck.

I'll find out soon enough! For $10 I'm willing to take the risk.

[RandyL]

For those of you with separate wheels/tires for winter, how are you managing the TPMS issue? Don't the set of wheels being installed need to be "registered" with the car's TPMS computer each time they are switched?

[sworksone]

I run 19" matte titanium Hartmann's in the summer and use the OEM titaniums for the winter. I just switched to winter mode today which made me realize how much I prefer the Hartmann's with the slightly darker colour and more aggressive stance. It's the second set of Hartmann's I've owned (previously 4 years with 18" HRS4's) and can vouch they make a great wheel. I've never had any issues, with the 18's in particular having taken a fair amount of abuse by eastern Canadian potholes.

[sworksone]

For those of you with separate wheels/tires for winter, how are you managing the TPMS issue? Don't the set of wheels being installed need to be "registered" with the car's TPMS computer each time they are switched?

You simply reset the TPMS in the MMI after you change tires or pressures. Takes five seconds.

[audistealth]

For those of you with separate wheels/tires for winter, how are you managing the TPMS issue? Don't the set of wheels being installed need to be "registered" with the car's TPMS computer each time they are switched?

On this car, TPMS is done through the wheel speed sensor, not a dedicated sensor in each wheel.

[RandyL]

You simply reset the TPMS in the MMI after you change tires or pressures. Takes five seconds.

Aha, thanks!

[DK207]

Can you just spray the center caps with plastidip?