[Savannah]

Hi All,

Was wondering what people have experienced with regards to aftermarket wheels for winter.

Up here in Canada, Audi dealerships sell a winter package, wheels and tires for about $2100 plus tax so about $2500.

Aftermarket replica wheels with tires are about $1600 taxes included.

I believe you get what you paid for however spending the extra money on wheels that will get the s#4t kicked out of it because of our winter conditions, i.e. road salt is hard to justify.

Just wondering what members have done.

Bob

 

[cableguy]

I plan to go to our local tire shop (Formerly called America's Tires) and discuss wheel/studless snow tire pricing, looking at a smaller wheel/tire size that the stock 19". I always price out on Tire Rack, including shipping, and they will match this. And then they will swap out the summer and winter tires free every year and it goes a lot faster. Going with a smaller tire has multiple advantages. I'm not willing to fork out as much for the wheels as the stock wheels and I know that over time they will show some wear...I had that with my mini....but frankly it's hard to keep the car clean much of the winter anyway so it's no so noticeable....

 

[Quatto]

I plan to go to our local tire shop (Formerly called America's Tires) and discuss wheel/studless snow tire pricing, looking at a smaller wheel/tire size that the stock 19". I always price out on Tire Rack, including shipping, and they will match this. And then they will swap out the summer and winter tires free every year and it goes a lot faster. Going with a smaller tire has multiple advantages. I'm not willing to fork out as much for the wheels as the stock wheels and I know that over time they will show some wear...I had that with my mini....but frankly it's hard to keep the car clean much of the winter anyway so it's no so noticeable....

I've heard a lot of folks say how much cheaper companies like Tire Rack can be in comparison to local vendors. Usually its guys that know local shops well that get good deals, good enough that they don't go to Tire Rack.

 

[Savannah]

The Q3 is coming with 20" wheels and I'll definitely be going to 17" winter. What is really hard to get, or so it is for me, are specs like wheel weight, cast method, people just don't want to tell you, this is the case for both my local Audi and tire shops, then again I'm not your typical buyer. When looking at tire rack they at least for the most part publish this type of info. The tire shops in general seem to cater towards a younger crowd who isn't necessarily interested in the technical details just the looks.

 

[cableguy]

I note that the Tire Rack site lists a number of different alternatives for smaller sized winter wheel/tire combos when I put in the Q3 with 19" OEM wheels. I know that tire pressure monitoring systems can be an issue when switching out wheels - if anyone has any experience / info on this topic it would be appreciated. Of course one would hope the folks at the local shop or at Tire Rack would know about these things.... Winter tires go on in the first half of November so we're less than two months away from my needing to head out to complete this purchase...ugh....

 

[AudiFox]

Depending on where you live you may have cheaper local alternatives. I know there's a good tire store in Ontario but I can't seem to remember the name of it. Starts with a k.

 

[ivorbiggun]

I'm in Ontario (GTA) - I have a 2015 Quattro with the stock 18" inchers. Last December, I picked up a set of 18" Audi replica wheels (http://www.replika.ca/productinfo.aspx?wn=r133a&fn=hyper+silver&dm=18&wd=-1&wc=audi&bp=5x112) (same style the 19" as what came stock on the 2015 non-Quattro model) and a set of Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice for about $1300 (plus HST) installed. I went to a place called Tires 23 in Mississauga. They seems to be very reputable as that's all they do and have knowledgable staff and loyal customers. My Audi dealer quoted me $2,456.98 for a set of Audi 17" Winter wheels and tires (Retail: $3,192.00). He also quoted me. $3,465.00 for a set of 18" wheels and tires.

I am very happy with the Replica 18's. Saved quite a bit of money I would like to find some reasonably priced Audi center caps for them.

 

[Savannah]

The quote I got for the replica wheels was from a tire shop in Kanata called Kanata Rims and Tires. He said that they would come with, how can I put it, knock off Audi center caps.

 

[msantram]

Anyone here running a set of 17" Winters? Curious to know of anyone's experience.

 

[Savannah]

Yes, ended up with 17 inch 225 Michelin X-Ice and they worked very well in the winter storm we had just over a week ago. These are mounted on aftermarket alloy wheels. The overall tire circumference is close to the stock 20 inches so didn't notice any noticeable error in the speedometer.

 

[msantram]

Thx! I run the same Michelin 17" 225 X-Ice 3's on my SportWagen. My salesperson thinks running a winter set of 17's on the car would be pointless. Given that our winter has been so mild so far, I may hold out until next year. If VW recalls my TDI, then I'll keep my winter set for the Q3.

 

[Otto]

Aren't you legally required to put winter tires on your car?

So far it would be pointless since the winter has been mild, but there could be a big snow dump later in the season. We are a long way from spring yet.

 

[msantram]

I keep thinking to myself "Winter is Coming..."

 

[usgpru27]

In case anyone is interested I just got a set of 4 Bridgestone Blizzak 18's for $125 per tire. I also got a set of their house brand wheels. Very nice for the price. $1,000 out the door.

 

[usgpru27]

Mounted and balanced with lugs as well.