View Full Version : Wheels/Tires/Problems Galore
JDillon15
06-29-2015, 05:15 PM
Alright, so I'm a little frustrated and not entirely sure what the best option is. I'm currently running a set of black RS4 replica rims. 235/35/19 et 35 I am lowered on springs.
The problem is I have bent 3 wheels and cracked the 4th. I've already spent 150 repairing the cracked rim and really, all 4 could be repainted and the 3 straightened. So obviously, it's going to cost me more than the value of the wheels to get them fixed. Then, last week I got a hole in one of the tires. I'm running Nitto 555 235 35 19 tires, and at over $160 a pop, not thrilled that I ruined that tire. So I've recently spent a boat load of money (I wont even mention the 2 other sets of wheels I bought trying to fix the problem).
Obviously a lot of this is my own fault, and I've learned a lot about tires/wheels through it. Just looking for some other opinions on a good option and what members would find to be QUALITY wheels/tires. I know I can dodge pot holes, but some of them are just SO DAMN inviting.
Now onto the options I have thought through thus far.
1.) Sell everything and buy a quality set of wheels and tires (not opposed to this option at all, Just wondering what will be quality enough to stop bending)
2.) Fix up the set of 18s that I bought, get new tires(235/40/18), and run those. (I want to use these as winter wheels, but could put all season tires on them and run them for a while)
3.) buy another Nitto 555 at 160 + install, and run these bent rims until I literally lose my mind. (getting close)
4.) You tell me??
Photos of my current set-up:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/29/621008e1d93a69ea8c87bd74422965fb.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/29/6fc08a6156a17ae30152edaf42c95155.jpg
aluthman
06-29-2015, 05:51 PM
I will not run anything bigger than 18s on a car unless it still allows a fat sidewall for that reason. I had 305/25/20 tires on my old car and they were like rubber bands. I had bends repaired twice and there were more in them when I got rid of the car. A thick sidewall will help prevent most of your problems, although you should still try to avoid potholes.
kaz02a4
06-29-2015, 06:13 PM
Obviously a lot of this is my own fault, and I've learned a lot about tires/wheels through it. Just looking for some other opinions on a good option and what members would find to be QUALITY wheels/tires. I know I can dodge pot holes, but some of them are just SO DAMN inviting.
Lol.
I'm with Adam on this one, no bigger than 18s. I also am one of those OEM+ guys, so I'm running a set of these directly from the factory:
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/3926IMG_0135.JPG
I can't say anything about aftermarket wheel brands, but I haven't had issues with OEM wheels, ever. Also, Cooper makes a great tire (RS3-A for all-seasons, RS3-S for summers) at a great price. Nearly all of the cars in my family are running some sort of Cooper tire. Just my $0.02
Run the 18" oem sline wheel, made by Ronal, counter pressure cast iirc.
Get rid of the invisible 19" wheels.
aluthman
06-29-2015, 06:45 PM
And fix your bumper [wrench]
JDillon15
06-29-2015, 06:47 PM
Anyone have any experience with Nitto Motivo? Discount tire is doing a sale at the end of the week. I was thinking about picking up a set of 235/40/18s. Looks like it would be 585+tax and install?
JDillon15
06-29-2015, 06:47 PM
And fix your bumper [wrench]
If you can tell me how, you will be my hero. I've used JB weld 3 times with no success.
CleverA4Name
06-29-2015, 06:48 PM
I don't necessarily think it is the 19's that are the issue, nor the tire size. I have ran 3 sets of 19's at 19x8.5, 19x9.5, and 19x10 all on 235/35 tires and have never had any issues with bends. The wheels that I have ran have been VMR's and HRE's. The VMR's were both one piece, one cast and one flow formed, and the HRE's were a 3 piece cast wheel.
It could be the wheel brand that you are running, or just driving habits (like you said, you have learned how to be more observant of imperfections in the road). One thing to take into consideration too is that as you bend and repair the wheels, their structure will get weaker and more prone to bending/cracking in the future.
My thoughts would be that you sell your current wheels and pick up another set. They are going to continue to be a headache, and if anything will stress you out just because you have had issues with them in the past. With the tires, I am not sure how much life you have left on them, but I have heard that it can be finicky with the Quattro system to try and get just one more tire to match. You could try to find a used one somewhere that is as close as possible, or you could buy a new set.
Good luck man!
JDillon15
06-29-2015, 06:55 PM
I don't necessarily think it is the 19's that are the issue, nor the tire size. I have ran 3 sets of 19's at 19x8.5, 19x9.5, and 19x10 all on 235/35 tires and have never had any issues with bends. The wheels that I have ran have been VMR's and HRE's. The VMR's were both one piece, one cast and one flow formed, and the HRE's were a 3 piece cast wheel.
It could be the wheel brand that you are running, or just driving habits (like you said, you have learned how to be more observant of imperfections in the road). One thing to take into consideration too is that as you bend and repair the wheels, their structure will get weaker and more prone to bending/cracking in the future.
My thoughts would be that you sell your current wheels and pick up another set. They are going to continue to be a headache, and if anything will stress you out just because you have had issues with them in the past. With the tires, I am not sure how much life you have left on them, but I have heard that it can be finicky with the Quattro system to try and get just one more tire to match. You could try to find a used one somewhere that is as close as possible, or you could buy a new set.
Good luck man!
I appreciate your insights - and to help any other member that might stumble upon this thread, as long as the overall diameter of the wheel is within 3% of the others, you'll be fine. That's the natural tolerance that the Quattro system allows.
CleverA4Name
06-29-2015, 06:55 PM
Anyone have any experience with Nitto Motivo? Discount tire is doing a sale at the end of the week. I was thinking about picking up a set of 235/40/18s. Looks like it would be 585+tax and install?
I have always run Hankook Ventus V12's or Continental DWS and had great success with both tires. Great grip, low road noise, and good life, although they are closer to the $200/tire range.
If you can tell me how, you will be my hero. I've used JB weld 3 times with no success.
There are two screws that go from that portion of the bumper through the frame? and then have two nuts that tighten on the other side that can be accessed through the fender lining. You may be missing one or both of those screws or nuts, or the nuts need to be tightened
JDillon15
06-29-2015, 07:03 PM
I have always run Hankook Ventus V12's or Continental DWS and had great success with both tires. Great grip, low road noise, and good life, although they are closer to the $200/tire range.
My dad ran the continental and said they had a LOT of road noise; switched to the Nittos and loves them.
There are two screws that go from that portion of the bumper through the frame? and then have two nuts that tighten on the other side that can be accessed through the fender lining. You may be missing one or both of those screws or nuts, or the nuts need to be tightened
I wish it were that simple. I actually broke that whole piece off at the bumper; the jb weld was to re-attach the two pieces.
CleverA4Name
06-29-2015, 07:37 PM
I wish it were that simple. I actually broke that whole piece off at the bumper; the jb weld was to re-attach the two pieces.
Well shit...Yeah that will be tough then...Have you tried using some Lord Fusor? I used this stuff when I did my RS4 grille to DTM bumper retrofit:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/fly300kts/DTM%20Grille/IMG_9091Large.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/user/fly300kts/media/DTM%20Grille/IMG_9091Large.jpg.html)
JDillon15
06-29-2015, 07:47 PM
Well shit...Yeah that will be tough then...Have you tried using some Lord Fusor? I used this stuff when I did my RS4 grille to DTM bumper retrofit:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/fly300kts/DTM%20Grille/IMG_9091Large.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/user/fly300kts/media/DTM%20Grille/IMG_9091Large.jpg.html)
I haven't. I was looking into plastic welding but haven't gotten far.
You used that to attach plastic to plastic? I know whatever you use to bond needs to be somewhat durable. That JB Weld keeps snapping off.
aluthman
06-29-2015, 08:19 PM
JB weld isn't that great with plastic IMO. Try something made for bumper repair like the Fusor mentioned above.
JDillon15
06-29-2015, 08:33 PM
JB weld isn't that great with plastic IMO. Try something made for bumper repair like the Fusor mentioned above.
Look at you guys; always steering me right. [az]
Hugh@EuropaParts
06-30-2015, 08:50 AM
I had cast 19's and I now have forged 19's... cast bent easily... forged have not.
Samsonite
06-30-2015, 09:19 PM
You should be able to run those 18" Ronals with some good meat and not have any problems bending/cracking wheels.
With that being said, I have driven ~100k miles over 3 Minnesota winters and summers on 19" Continental DWS with VMR's while lowered without any problems whatsoever (knocks on wood).
FWIW I actually have those 18" Ronal S-line wheels on one of my Avants and 19" VMR's on my other Avant and the DWS' on my 19's actually ride smoother than the 18" Pirelli PZero's. Pay for a good tire and you'll be happy.
Most of all, you gotta pay attention to the road you're driving on and try to avoid those potholes!