21x10 Wheels On A RS5 Sportback!!!!

[Ed99]

I know a lot of people here are running 20x10.5 20et with 285/30/20 wheels but check out this Youtube video as the owner was able to fit 21x10 wheels on all 4 corners.

Looks pretty sick!!! What do you guys think? I personally like the set up but the 275/25/21 tire walls are too thin. I would try to fit 295/25/21 on there if it clears rubbing.

https://youtu.be/HIqDv8Hv3uA

[Zombie5150]

The wheel size looks OK to me but I’m not liking the rubber band 25’s. I know my 30’s aren’t much bigger physically but they look huge compared to those. Honestly if given a choice I think I’d still stick with the 20’s and 285/30’s.

[Ed99]

The wheel size looks OK to me but I’m not liking the rubber band 25’s. I know my 30’s aren’t much bigger physically but they look huge compared to those. Honestly if given a choice I think I’d still stick with the 20’s and 285/30’s.

True and I am not liking the rubber band 25's too but I guess he needs 25's to probably fit a 21inch wheel and lowered on KW HAS Kit. But I am curious if he could have ran 295/25/21 on there so that will have wider sidewall.

[Audi_509]

I thought 21” wheels fit right. https://i.imgur.com/9G4XSvg.jpg

[Ed99]

I thought 21” wheels fit right. http://https://i.imgur.com/9G4XSvg.jpg

Link doesn't work?

[bluonyx]

looks horrible, you need more rubber than that

[Audi_509]

Link doesn't work?

Fixed link.

[Ed99]

looks horrible, you need more rubber than that

Agree with you and hence wondering if 295/25/20 would look better with a wider tires and fatter side walls.

Found another video on 21 inch wheels on a RS5...looks like in Japan they really like to go big lol!!!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYDy2i5womE

[VVG]

A little history on big wheels and very low profile tires...

Wheels...

The only reason to really have large wheels is to accommodate large brakes. High performance cars with massive brakes needed bigger wheels. After a while the big wheels took on a life of their own giving the "look" of performance that went with massive brakes. And then they became bigger and bigger with no real purpose. Look at race cars. They don't have massive wheels. Big wheels are heavier.

Tires...

The lower profile tires went along with the wheels getting bigger and also the idea that lower profile tires improved handling and steering response. Again, extreme low profiles are not better in this regard. A tire has to be able to absorb a certain amount of shear force and road imperfections to create the best grip and traction. When you go less than about a 40 aspect ratio, there is really no performance benefit at all, and maybe even a performance impairment. Again, look at race cars.

Take home message...more is not always better. Why these trends went to extremes and took on lives of their own beyond any benefit whatsoever is a mystery to me.

[Audi_509]

Likely it’s because of the look. Many of us have different taste and priorities. When I bought my Audi it wasn’t because of performance. I love the appearance and quality of the interior. If performance was the major factor in my buying decision then Audi wouldn’t would not be my pick. For those tracking their Audis I’m sure they are not using 20-22” wheels. They likely, should, have a track set with an appropriate tires for track use. As for my pavement Queen, I either use my 20 or 21” wheels. Just depends if I want to ride oem or something aftermarket.

[VVG]

Likely it’s because of the look. Many of us have different taste and priorities. When I bought my Audi it wasn’t because of performance. I love the appearance and quality of the interior. If performance was the major factor in my buying decision then Audi wouldn’t would not be my pick. For those tracking their Audis I’m sure they are not using 20-22” wheels. They likely, should, have a track set with an appropriate tires for track use. As for my pavement Queen, I either use my 20 or 21” wheels. Just depends if I want to ride oem or something aftermarket.

I agree that it is about the look. But WHY did the look of big wheels become appealing? It is because that look went along with the massive brakes needed on high performance cars. Most serious track cars are lighter so they actually need smaller brake systems than larger road going performance cars. So tracking is a different matter entirely. The phenomenon took on a life of its own however, and expanded well beyond what is needed to accommodate adequate braking systems. No different than cars being lowered. The original intent was to increase performance, or give the appearance of increased performance, but the trend took on a life of its own and went to caricature-like extremes in some cases.

And that is where we must recognize what is of real benefit and has the corresponding appearance vs. what becomes a caricature.

[Ed99]

I agree that it is about the look. But WHY did the look of big wheels become appealing? It is because that look went along with the massive brakes needed on high performance cars. Most serious track cars are lighter so they actually need smaller brake systems than larger road going performance cars. So tracking is a different matter entirely. The phenomenon took on a life of its own however, and expanded well beyond what is needed to accommodate adequate braking systems. No different than cars being lowered. The original intent was to increase performance, or give the appearance of increased performance, but the trend took on a life of its own and went to caricature-like extremes in some cases.

And that is where we must recognize what is of real benefit and has the corresponding appearance vs. what becomes a caricature.

I think wheels got bigger because cars has gone bigger as well!! For the wheels to match up with the larger cars we have now you will need bigger wheels.

Just look at the Porsche 2007 911 generations and they look perfect with 18-19 inch wheels and now you have the latest Porsche 992 911 bigger body and everyone is putting on 21 up front and 22's in the rear. That is an increase from 19inch to 22inch wheels in just over 3 generations.

I must say 21's do look very appealing on our RS5 Sportback vs 20's. I think most of us won't be tracking our RS5's and it's a daily driver. So it would be ok to put 21's on the car for daily usage. But I am against going with such small sidewalls on those tires.

[Liquid Smoke]

Yea the 21's do look good but yea those 25 tires are way too thin, looked like he had a flat lol. Only good for show or casual driving on very good condition roads. I'd have to just raise the car a bit until I can fit 275/30 and it should be cool after that.