Smaller wheels than listed

[KeithWalter]

Hi everyone

Thinking seriously about buying a Q3 Sportback Vorsprung

Will Audi supply different wheels and tyres to those specified in their builder app?

The Vorsprung edition is only listed with 20inch wheels, but I'm a bit worried about wheels that large with all the potholes in the UK

Would Audi be able to order 18 or 19 inch wheels instead with all season tyres, or will they insist on the 20 inch as specified with a separate set of winter wheels/tyres?

[Magnet]

Hello Keith, 

By what I can make out, the Vorsprung edition of the Q3 is only available with wheels of 20 inch diameter minimum (in caps), with options of increasing theses diameters to 21 or even 22 inch - like farm cart wheels. 

It sounds to me that you are interested in a comfortable ride over potholes rather than road holding capabilities, and if so, the all important factor is the tyre profile (the height of the tyre wall rubber from road to rim). If this is if the order of 40 profile or less then the ride is going to be firm, unless the tyres are very wide - profile = % of width. Another factor in the comfort stakes is whether run-flat tyres are fitted as standard, as they often are now, since the sidewall will be firmer and less flexible. 

In theory, the larger the wheel and tyre diameter, the less affect will be felt at a pothole, since the larger dia. wheel will roll over the pothole rather than into it. 

Apps. are fine, but you cannot beat a face to face discussion and assessment of a test vehicle with the dealer. That would be my move -  armed with some of the above. 

Let us know how you get on, and what the tyres sizes and types are on the 20 inch wheels. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[KeithWalter]

8 hours ago, Magnet said:

Hello Keith, 

By what I can make out, the Vorsprung edition of the Q3 is only available with wheels of 20 inch diameter minimum (in caps), with options of increasing theses diameters to 21 or even 22 inch - like farm cart wheels. 

It sounds to me that you are interested in a comfortable ride over potholes rather than road holding capabilities, and if so, the all important factor is the tyre profile (the height of the tyre wall rubber from road to rim). If this is if the order of 40 profile or less then the ride is going to be firm, unless the tyres are very wide - profile = % of width. Another factor in the comfort stakes is whether run-flat tyres are fitted as standard, as they often are now, since the sidewall will be firmer and less flexible. 

In theory, the larger the wheel and tyre diameter, the less affect will be felt at a pothole, since the larger dia. wheel will roll over the pothole rather than into it. 

Apps. are fine, but you cannot beat a face to face discussion and assessment of a test vehicle with the dealer. That would be my move -  armed with some of the above. 

Let us know how you get on, and what the tyres sizes and types are on the 20 inch wheels. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Thanks Gareth, we have a car on a 24 hour loan from Audi in Crawley at the moment with 19 inch wheels

The ride's been fine, even down our potholed road, so I'm not so worried any more

I have to say I do like the car very much - will probably pull the trigger on one tomorrow 🙂

Regards

[KeithWalter]

On 2/20/2020 at 9:02 AM, Magnet said:

 

Let us know how you get on, and what the tyres sizes and types are on the 20 inch wheels. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth

Ordered a 2 litre TFSI Q3 Sportback, Vorsprung version in the end

Wheels are 20 inch with 255/40 R 20 tyres

[Magnet]

Well done Keith,

225 is a reasonable width to somewhat compensate for the 40 profile which could be considered low. The acid test is of course, you were able to fully assess the ride comfort before committing. 

Incidentally - run flats or not? Run flats now seem to becoming the norm. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[KeithWalter]

34 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Well done Keith,

225 is a reasonable width to somewhat compensate for the 40 profile which could be considered low. The acid test is of course, you were able to fully assess the ride comfort before committing. 

Incidentally - run flats or not? Run flats now seem to becoming the norm. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

To be honest, I don't know Gareth. No mention of tyre type on web site or car builder and I forgot to ask the dealer

Something I'll have to research

Keith

[KeithWalter]

I just checked out a photo of the wheels we've ordered on the web builder and the tyres are definitely not runflats - phew!

Keith