luv2sleep

Hey folks, I'm shopping for rims for my new baby and need some help, please.
I live in SoCal so I don't deal with adverse weather. I might take my Q5 on a skiing trip once or twice a year. This is my daily driver and I don't drive like a mad man (not that you can in L.A. traffic).
So...... here are some quesitons:
1) How is the ride with the 20s? Do you notice a big difference between 19s vs. 20s?
2) What kind of offset range should I be looking for? I'm guessing 38mm-ish?
3) Driving in snowy conditions-19 vs. 20s?

Thanks in advance!

ThunderDent

I'm ordering my 20's as well. I have to figure the ride will always be a little cushier the smaller the wheel and bigger the tire you have.

As far as the offset, it depends on how far you want your wheel coming out toward the fender well. The 19" 5-arms and the 20" S-line wheels both have 33mm offset (on 8.5 rims). Other manufacturers have differing offsets for more aggressive looking appearances, but some need spacers to run them. This is why I personally opted not to go that route.

If you drive in snowy conditions, you'll probably need 18s or 19s. The 20" wheels don't really have any tires available for them in any sort of more aggressive all-season/winter tread. Plus, they aren't really a deep type of tread. They are really meant for summer driving only. With your climate, I wouldn't worry at all about it. Get the 20's. I am in a moderate climate with probably 2-2 1/2 months of winter every year. Sometimes a lot of snow, sometimes nearly none (last year). I'm going to keep my 19's and use them late December through early March, and then put on the 20's for the rest of the year. I think quite a few people run 2 sets of wheels on here that are in a mixed climate.

D_Frost

20's will track a bit more compared to 18/19s... you will feel the steering and road feedback to be more direct...

Offset will depend on the width of the wheel... 8 inch width will be good with 30mm offset for a close to flush look. Might want to check out an offset calculator like: http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp You can compare between 2 different wheels + tires so that you have a better idea as to how the new wheel sits.

As for snow, I would probably dedicate a winter tire, but if you're in a mild climate, 20" all-seasons like the Continental DWS might work for you.

luv2sleep

Thanks guys for very good info! Hey, post some pictures when get the rims. I'm probably going to go with the 20s. They definitely look better, IMHO.

luv2sleep

Thanks guys for the good info! Hey, post some pictures when ya'll get the rims. I'm probably going to go with the 20s. They definitely look better, IMHO.

luv2sleep

One more question: the tire size for 20s is 255/45-20 on a 20x8.5 rim, correct? Sorry, I hate asking dumb questions but I do it anyway :-) It's just that the Tirerack website does not give me the option to choose 20s if I type in the Q5 2.0T Prem Plus.

D_Frost

You can refer to this thread for more info:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2814595

But yes, that tire size would be the factory size.

D_Frost

This thread has info on the wheel sizes/offsets:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2776051

luv2sleep

Need some help... I'm looking at Hartmann 19" wheels. There are two offset choices for 19x8.5: 25 and 38. Which one do I choose?

D_Frost

You should check with Achtuning/Hartmann directly, but as far as I recall, the ET25 is going to be fairly flush with the fenders in the front (and a little less so in the back)...