Compare Wheel & Tire Specs: 255/55-R18 / 295/35-R21 / 285/40-R22 / 285/45-R22

[flat12]

Hello Audi Gang...I'm still seriously considering "upsizing" the wheels & tires on my Q7. I've been researching things and getting opinions, but as yet I'm still undecided. My Q7 currently has the small 18 inch split-spoke wheels, which are great for comfort but look too small for the vehicle. I understand that going to a larger wheel means reducing the tire sidewall thickness....thereby making the ride harsher, etc. I moved from Michigan to the Columbus GA a couple of years ago and the roads down here are MUCH better than up in the "salt belt". So I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort, but my Q7 has the air suspension to help. Some folks say I'm asking for trouble, and others say there will be no problem.

Below is comparison data for my current set-up, Audi's OEM 21" set-up, and two options of a 22" setup. I realize that going with a larger diameter will require an adjustment to the Speedometer to maintain accuracy, which I'm told can be done with my Vag-Com. There will also be a slight decrease in the Q7's acceleration. I'm thinking OPTION #1 may be okay...feedback is welcomed and encouraged.

My current 18" Wheels (Width = 8.0" / Offset = 57mm) with 255/55-R18 Tires:
Tread Width: 10.04"
Side Wall Ht.: 5.52"
Outer Dia.: 29.04"
Circumference: 91.20"
Revolutions per Mile: 694.7
Load Rating: 109V

Audi 21" Wheels (Width = 10.0" / Offset = 44mm) with 295/35-R21 Tires:
Tread Width: 11.61"
Side Wall Ht.: 4.06"
Outer Dia.: 29.13"
Circumference: 91.47"
Revolutions per Mile: 692.7

OPTION #!: Replica 22" Wheels (Width = 9.5" / Offset = 48mm) with 285/40-R22 Tires
Tread Width: 11.22"
Side Wall Ht.: 4.49"
Outer Dia.: 30.98"
Circumference: 97.27"
Revolutions per Mile: 651.4 (6.6% reduction from my current set-up)
Load Rating: 110V

OPTION #2: Replica 22" Wheels (Width = 9.5" / Offset = 48mm) with 285/45-R22 Tires
Tread Width: 11.22"
Side Wall Ht.: 5.05"
Outer Dia.: 32.10"
Circumference: 100.79"
Revolutions per Mile: 628.6 (10.5% reduction from my current set-up)

[lx4life]

I would go with 22" wheels, I had 22x10 w/ 285 35 22 on my Q7, I just changed my wheels/tires to 22x10.5 with 295 35 22. As far as acceleration it all depends on the weight of your wheel and tire combo. I never changed my speedo and I dont see a big issue.

[iconoclast]

the oem 21" is ideal. second place would be the oem 20". there are only a couple of decent 22" wheels but they are replicas and the tires are very small so if you leave in a region where the roads are abused during the winter it makes for a horrible ride until the roads are repaired. proportionally the 22" would look the best but if you're looking for fashion and function the 21" nail it.

after changing the values through vagcom to adjust for the new wheel size your overall mileage (stored on ecu) will deviate from actual mileage but your speedometer and navigation should be a bit more accurate.

[flat12]

Thanks LX4LIFE and ICONOCLAST for your inputs. I agree that the OEM 21" wheels would be ideal, but as with most things in life I have to find a compromise between what I really want versus what my budget can handle. I have not found any aftermarket "Peeler" wheels any wider than 9.5 inches. If anyone can point me to some that would be great.

LX4LIFE....may I ask what your latest wheels are at 10.5 inches wide? Thank You Sir...

[iconoclast]

they do not make them. the replicas are narrower than oem wheels (i assume so they can sell it for touareg and cayenne as well).
there was a company selling 22"x10 et40 (iirc) in the UK & Germany (TUV Approved) but i do not think they are available anymore.
if your budget can't handle proper parts at this time then two options are leave things as they are or wait until it can.
if you cut corners you'll wind up spending more than doing it correctly the first time around.

[flat12]

I am in total agreement with you ICONOCLAST....that is why I'm beating this subject to death before I do anything at all. I think the options I've laid out so far are a small improvement over my current 18" set-up, but they do fall a bit short of the OEM 21" option.

[iconoclast]

hypothetically speaking you install replica wheels they crack and do not retain air anymore you wasted money on buying a wheel and replacing a tire because it has a bubble.

http://www.audiworld.com/forums/q7-d...*****-2867925/

^wheel options and suggestions. mostly lowered Q7 but you'll find them in there.

[Oligarchy]

21s have some very expensive pricing on the tires that usually last a season. About 12-15k km

[iconoclast]

inflated correctly and rotated religiously you should get anywhere between 18k-25k miles per set.

[flat12]

UPDATE: I went with the 22 inch wheels and 285/35 tires. We just took a drive up to Michigan and back on this set-up, a total of almost 1,800 miles - with no issues. I must admit that the ride is more firm than it was with my old 18 inchers, but it's not what I would call harsh. On smooth roads the ride is still very nice. It dramatically changes the look of the Q7.

[lx4life]

22s are perfect for the Q7, no mater what others think. Plus the tire options are more and cheaper. It looks real good have you thought about spacers and a drop?

[iconoclast]

proportionally speaking they do look better but when you try to keep the overall rolling diameter the same the ride quality suffers dramatically.

[flat12]

Hello lxlife - the outer sidewall of the tires are inside the fenders...which I think is perfect. I prefer the stock ride height...or should I say "heights" as I am fortunate enough to have the air suspension.

Greetings iconoclast - you are right...the ride does firm up quite a bit. If I was still living in Michigan with all of those crappy roads I would NOT recommend 22" wheels. My current tires have a sidewall height that is 1/8 inch less the Audi 21" wheels & tires, so I would guess my Q7 rides very similar to the factory set-up. Overall I gained about 1 mph on the speedo....not enough to worry about. Based on your feedback and other research I decided that I did not want to "re-engineer" things so I targeted the OEM 21" offering.

[aluthman]

I would avoid the 21" wheels simply due to limited tire selection and super high tire prices. 20" or 22" would give you more options for cheaper.

[Oligarchy]

I'm looking probably at 15-18k on the set I have now, my buddies jack broke on the Q7 so rotations aren't as free as they used to be aha