I think I hate my new rims!

[RVT]

Thanks for the feed back everyone, I have returned to my OEM rims. Kind words (and mean ones) were welcome, and it helped me get over that decision.
I've pulled the images to hopefully kill this thread.

Peace!



OK, So even us old farts like a good lookin (and handling) ride. As my A4 came on bald tires and scuffed rims, I decided to replace them ASAP.
Of importance to me was staying with 17” rims, and reducing the weight as much as possible. Getting down into 16-18 lb rims sent pricing through the roof, but I found these on Tirerack at 20lbs and a reasonable price.
Using Tireracks vehicle preview, these rims looked pretty sweet. I ordered them up with my Bridgestone Potenzas, and eagerly waited for their arrival.
They show up… The tires are what I need, and the rims themselves look awesome…..
Right up until I put them on the car…..
Standing back and looking, the first words out of my mouth was “Awww Cr@p”.

Now I face a dilemma. Do I pull and sell them. Or can I get them to look good on the car. I hoped the tint would help (shifting part of the cars color towards black), and it did to a minor degree, but I stall cannot feel the love.
Other ideas, paint the calipers (red?), slotted rotors, black side markers. More Chrome?

Any style ideas anyone may have to blend them more to the car? Or should I cut my losses, toss the new tires on the factory rims, and fleabay as much of my money back as possible?

Criticism and helpful input requested!
Thanks
Vince

[A4A4A4]

All wheels are going to look a lot better with a good drop. Go buy yourself a nice set of coilovers and I'm sure you'll feel a lot better about your wheels once you've got a decent ride height.

[JRMSLINEA4]

Looks like they are taller than the factory rims/tires. Look at the sidewall what size are the tires?

[wayneB7]

Right up until I put them on the car…..
Standing back and looking, the first words out of my mouth was “Awww Cr@p”.

As another old-ish fart, I agree with that sentiment. Especially since they appear to be chrome. I love chrome rims like a poke in the eyeballs with a sharp, hot, barbed skewer. I do like your thinking regarding the weight. When I upgrade mine, biggest criterion would be equal or lesser weight on 18" diameter. But back to your question.

Or should I cut my losses, toss the new tires on the factory rims, and fleabay as much of my money back as possible?

That is precisely what I would do if I were you. No sense fiddling with the rest of the car to suit the rims, with no guarantee that you would love the rims any more then. I believe in gut instinct, and if your gut was “Awww Cr@p” at the start, there is a lot that would have to be done to erase that.

Just my 2 cents.

[RVT]

Looks like they are taller than the factory rims/tires. Look at the sidewall what size are the tires?

Factory size 235/45-17

[jojogoya88]

HOly shittt thats monster truck height...

Tell you what...get rid of your rims, sell them...

AND you can buy my 19'' BBS CK's!!!!!


or just put springs/coilovers on and i promise itl put a smile back on ur face

[Vinscap]

I agree with you. They don't flow with the car.

[RVT]

HOly shittt thats monster truck height...

Tell you what...get rid of your rims, sell them...

AND you can buy my 19'' BBS CK's!!!!!


or just put springs/coilovers on and i promise itl put a smile back on ur face

LOL and I would want 19" rims why? Are they under 20Lbs? (I did mention that "Handling" was most important to me...) Thanks anyhow!

Two comment saying lowering will help, two saying dump 'em. Not wnating to mirror anothers car, what have you all seen don to a bright red car that lets it stand out on the street? Red and chrome or red and black cosmetics...?

[dmaize]

boo. even with a drop i dont think they could look right. and your tires seem like they have to much sidewall.

[TapouTx914]

LOL and I would want 19" rims why? Are they under 20Lbs? (I did mention that "Handling" was most important to me...)

No CK's are not under 20lbs but they do sure look good but if you just want the weight and it to look decent a set of coilovers will definitely help it looks way better because as of now it is 4x4 status.

[b5s4tt]

paint the rims gold or bronze if you like that style. they will look great with a drop

[a4dc89]

you need a low pro tire, it looks like its an suv sized thickness

[Burtonrider1002]

i think they would look great with a drop... dunno

[RVT]

OK, here it the tirerack image that sold me.... Ride height may have something to do with it... or just my bad taste...
keep the feedback coming!

Thanks!
Vince

[A4A4A4]

LOL and I would want 19" rims why? Are they under 20Lbs? (I did mention that "Handling" was most important to me...) Thanks anyhow!

Two comment saying lowering will help, two saying dump 'em. Not wnating to mirror anothers car, what have you all seen don to a bright red car that lets it stand out on the street? Red and chrome or red and black cosmetics...?

If handling is really important to you should worry less about your wheels and more about your suspension and getting an RS4 rear sway bar.

I mean even if you decide to get rid of the wheels, having coilovers is still a very important thing to have. It improves your cars handling tremendously and is probably the most important aesthetic mod as well.

Moral of the story, get coilovers then decide if you want to keep your wheels or not.

[20AE428]

I think you know it. They are f ugly wheels. Don't really work on any audi. Sell em or paint all black and of course - suspension before wheels!

[RVT]

boo. even with a drop i dont think they could look right. and your tires seem like they have to much sidewall.

Cant help that.... I like the tires.... It rains a lot here, and they are rated as one of the best in that area. They will simply go to different rims.

If handling is really important to you should worry less about your wheels and more about your suspension and getting an RS4 rear sway bar.

I mean even if you decide to get rid of the wheels, having coilovers is still a very important thing to get. It improves your cars handling tremendously and is the most important aesthetic mod as well.

Moral of the story, get coilovers then decide if you want to keep your wheels or not.

Appreciate it input, but a step at a time. I haven't even made my first payment on the car. I NEEDED new tires. The rims where a whim...

Here is what I would return to...

[RUGERJITSU]

i say dump them...and get something you like to stare at.

[B6JoeS4]

you should have just gotten some 18" rs4 reps and get some springs and shocks. then it will look sweet

[Malamute]

If you don't like them, dump them and get what you can for them. I also wouldn't get too hung up on weight. Sure, lighter is better, but I wouldn't worry about a 23lb wheel that much.

You're the one that will be looking at them every day. If they're already bugging you I'd get rid of them. Not that my opinion matters, but I don't think they look good either.

[got boost.]

OK, here it the tirerack image that sold me.... Ride height may have something to do with it... or just my bad taste...
keep the feedback coming!

Thanks!
Vince

sorry to break it to you but those wheels are horrible i wouldnt even want to touch them even if they were free. The stock wheels you have look 100 times better with a simple drop. I say put the new tires on the stock wheels and hope someone with bad taste on ebay pays a high price for them.

[RVT]

In looking at the old tires... Its not that these are high sidewall nearly as much as the old ones were showing cord....

I appreciate the feedback... I am leaning twords pulling them.
18s and up are out of the question. I wouldn't even waist my time looking at them. My A4 is to be a daily driver, in and area that gets high rainfall year 'round. Lowering may happen down the road, but only by a little, and not while sacrificing ride comfort.

Peace,
Vince

[QTC]

I'd toss the tires on the stock wheels and throw the other ones on eBay. The stock wheels are a good looking wheel imo

[Audi Juice]

Couple of questions...

First of all, do you know if tire rack has any type of a restocking policy? You may be able to get away with only losing 15-20%. Id call them and see if there is anything that can be done. Explain that the finish was not accurately represented by the photos.

Second, what type of wheel is important to you? Brand, weight, color, size? From what you stated already, it seems like a nice lightweight wheel is what you are looking for, but what are the other preferences? Those B6 style sport wheels are pretty damn heavy for 17's. I used to run them on my old b5.

Here is what I would recommend. I think you should pick up a set of OZ Ultraleggeras. Seems to be what you are looking to get out of a wheel. Id pick them up in the silver finish. In 17's they only weigh 16.7lbs. You arent really going to beat that, and they are roughly $1000 a set new. These are the wheels that I am currently using in 19", and they only weigh about 20lbs. I think I may refinish mine in silver.

[MOFSTEEL]

Those wheels are horrible.
You could go to a larger wheel and still get a lighter wheel.
My 19x8.5 wheels are 19lbs a piece.
Send those back and take some time to look around.
Impulse buying leads to wheels like those.

[Spiff69]

If you're just dead set against lowering it right now, then I say dump them. Go with something with more thickness in the spokes and they will look less dwarfed by the ride height and tire size.

[jmars]

I'm no "young" guy on this forum but I'll be honest.............tough looking wheel.

With that said here's what I would do.............after seeing if you can return those wheels:

1) Since you don't want a "drop" but are adiment about handling then why not pick up an OEM sport suspension? It will be around $300 max used and thats for coils and springs. Its a slight drop but far from "dropped." The car will be no different in the rain or flooded areas.

2) Grab an RS4 rear sway bar.........that conbined with a sport suspension will be night and day. You won't believe it

3) Wheels........OZ's were mentioned, great light wheel and TR has a good price on them. Also RS4 reps are a nice taseful choice. You'll prob take a hit on the wheel but at least you have the tire. OR paint them black......just rattle can them. Black wheels on red loook great.

4) Use the search function SEARCH before buying...........everything has been discussed to death regarding appearance. Seeing that you are a One ringer, I'm guess you are new. Lots of great look members cars on this site so it takes the guess work out of it for you.

Good Luck............don't be afraid to ask for help.......

[TDI]

they are ugly
sorry dude

[Geoffafa]

please, for the love of god lower that vehicle, you also need less of a sidewall, with that you could make it look a lot better, but as of right now [thumbsdown]

[1FASTB6S4]

those rims would probley look good on a civic... but seriously u should have asked us and we wouldve found u nice wheels..

[1FASTB6S4]

LOL

[RVT]

Thank all for the reply's. The deed is now done.

My OEM rims are back on the car, and I will now go cower and lick my wounds for the next week or two.
I appreciate the honesty of reviews given, most importantly reminding me that if my gut says they stink, then pay attention to it, cause I'm the one that has to live with it every day.

I sill dislike the OEM rims, so they will get replaced eventually, but I need to tally up my losses on this fiasco first.

Thanks again everyone
Keep it shiny side up!
Vince

[pw211]

I don't think the wheel itself looks too terrible but in 17" its hard to find a good looking wheel. Honestly some people can pull of 17" gold or bronze wheels (as mentioned earlier in this thread somewhere) but no way on an audi, especially not a brilliant red one.

and why so against a drop? If you want handling a drop could be good? It would definitely help the look of the car. If you do decide to dump the wheels get wheels with more/thicker spokes. These wheels just look too small and skinny.

[RVT]

Couple of questions...
Here is what I would recommend. I think you should pick up a set of OZ Ultraleggeras.

Looked at them, and the price scared me. Remember, I was shopping for tires only when I began. Adding another $500 to the buy was tough, but I grimmest and said WTF as I clicked "Place the order".

and why so against a drop? .

Not against it as much as I fully understand the mathematics of roll centers and the gains in handling. It is more the loss of ride comfort. Most lowering springs tend to stiffen up the ride, including the Eibach Pro series (my preferred). Right now, a majority of my passengers are 50 plus years old, and getting in and out of a lowered car is often difficult for them. The Stratus I traded in was lower by far and it was even painful for some. (At lease the Audi has grab handles).

Time will tell if the performance bug keeps dinging at me....

peace


(Anyone want a almost new set of rims?)

[muffinman]

Sorry, almost no rims will look good without a proper drop - that's the truf. If you're going to do it, do it right.

Also, the sidewalls on those tires are massive, making the rims look like they're 15's... experiment with slight tire stretching or thinner / lower profile tires. However, lower profile tires = more wheel gap = looks increasingly horrendous without a drop.

Last, you seem to be really into keeping the rolling/unsprung weight as low as possible... instead of looking at just the rim weights, consider tire weights as well (they fluctuate by more than you think) - makes a big difference. Based on my experiences (with 18" and 19" tires), most Bridgestones tend to run on the heavy side.

Good luck

[EYE4SPEED]

Ouch - not to be mean, but those won't even look right on a ricer. You don't have to jump on the mesh bandwagon, but your stockers look way better than those... sorry.

[Sharkfin]

All wheels are going to look a lot better with a good drop. Go buy yourself a nice set of coilovers and I'm sure you'll feel a lot better about your wheels once you've got a decent ride height.

that's exactly what I thought, does tirerack say no returns after you mount them?

[TWINTURBOA6]

please visit www.hartmannwheels.com
buy a new set....replace the tires...ebay the wheels....buy yourself some factory style wheels and keep it original...it kind of takes the luxury out of the car with those wheels

[pw211]

You should also consider the S-line suspension then, if you are worried about ride comfort. From what I hear you don't loose too much comfort and you get some drop and handling upgrade.

[Sharkfin]

If handling is really important to you should worry less about your wheels and more about your suspension and getting an RS4 rear sway bar.

I mean even if you decide to get rid of the wheels, having coilovers is still a very important thing to have. It improves your cars handling tremendously and is probably the most important aesthetic mod as well.

Moral of the story, get coilovers then decide if you want to keep your wheels or not.

second that, try that route!