Audiseeker

Getting close to pulling the trigger on this car. Haven't been here in a long time--have been driving a 2002 S8 for TEN years---and I still love the machine. It has 108K on the clock and still runs like it has 25.
But time to go new (er)
My question is the car I'm negotiating has the 20" rims. My understanding is that this means it has the run flat tires---Is this correct?
The car is at an Audi dealer and is going through the cert process. I was going to ask the wheels be swapped out for the stock (19") wheels and all season tires---but am thinking that they could not then certify the car----does that sound correct? (thus I'll have to buy it with the 20" rims). My preference for smaller is I live in the Midwest and we do get potholes. However, my local Audi guy tells me there's not that much difference in 19 vs 20" durability anyway
Plus he looked through the Tire rack catalog and found several alternative all season tires that would fit on the Audi 20" rims (though would be fractionally narrower or wider)--and would not make any difference
Does that sound correct?
As I understand it--the OEM tires are Pirelli and are Summer performance and cost $475 a copy at the Tire Rack. We found some Conti-s at under $200 in all season design plus many others that would work
Would changing off the OEM tires (even when I have to replace them)--be a warranty problem down the road? (could Audi skuttle a suspension repair because of it?)

thanks for any feedback (kind of fun to be chasing a new toy again)

derfA8L

I don't recall that Audi ever spec'd run-flat rubber on the D4 A8 (with or without Sport Pkg). Since the D4 Sports Pkg has made either 19" or 20" all-seasons available last year and 20" A/S this upcoming model year, I really doubt that swapping from 20" Summer tires to either 19" or 20" A/S tires would negatively impact the warranty, but I'm not absolutely sure on this. Clearly, you'd want to discuss this specifically with Audi of America, or have the dealer clarify this with their zone rep.

kgd_007

I would think if they swapped for the 19" wheels that were standard equipment on the A8 they would be able to certify it. It should be an easy question for the Audi dealer doing the certification.

I would love to trade someone my 19" wheels for 20" wheels. That was the only thing the car I bought did not have.

Audiseeker

kgd--then maybe we have a trade (if I end up with the 20-s)--but if it is true that the durability (potential bent rim threat) is about the same 19 vs 20---then I might just keep 'em anyway.
I'm more interested now in the exact tires on the 20-s. Audi specs are all for summer performance--which I really do not want

Audiseeker

Also--In checking the Tire Rack--they are showing three OEM replacements for the 20" Audi wheels (2011 A8 sport package)---and none are run flat---but all are summer performance and very pricey
Again, my Audi indie guy--who runs the shop I use---says I'll have many choices including all seasons in various brands (Michelin--Continental etc etc)--that will fit on these rims (though they'd be fractionally wider or narrower than the OEM choices)
FYI

Lazydog

The only thing that is going to make a difference, when it comes to bent wheels or not, is the height of the sidewalls of the tire you are running. The bigger the wheel the smaller the tire sidewalls. There is only so much room under the fender and if you run large you need a smaller sidewall.

Audiseeker

right, Lazydog
but my Audi guy tells me that the difference between the standard (19") wheel and the sport 20" is insignificant--not enough to make a difference.
I guess time will tell

derfA8L

Difference is 3 tenths of an inch on the sidewall height:

255x45x19 = 4.5" sidewall

265x40x20 = 4.2" sidewall

And 2015 A8 Sport Plus package is spec'd with 20" all-season tires, so there is an OEM Audi 20" all-season availability.

Audiseeker

derf
Is that difference meaningful (in terms of potential rim damage)?

lgball

Pirelli P Zero Nero is the OEM (and only available) all season tire for the Audi 20" rims, at least on my 2013.