Bart A. Lane

I swear they look better in person. I put the Audi center caps on which makes them look a little stock. The nice thing is that, even though bigger, I have saved over 5 pounds PER wheel/tire combo and that means a lot. It is very quiet to drive now but I haven't spent a lot of time in it. I like them OK.

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Ali B

I think this is typical when you upgrade to larger wheels. The gap between the tire and the fender appears more pronounced with lower profile tires. I think the BBS wheels are nice, but not quite sure if they fit the A8. I like your original 17" 5-spokers a little better.

I have a comment about your navigation receiver box on top of the trunk lid. The first time I saw this was at the LA Auto Show on an A6 and an A8, and I was shocked. It looks like an oversight on the part of the system designers. I've noticed that the A4 and S4 don't have this box with the GPS option. I don't know about you, but I would skip this option based on the aesthetic damage it does to the clean lines of the car. How do you feel about it?

Bart A. Lane

The car was on uneven ground and there was a slope so it lifted up the back end some. On level ground it looks much better. The tires are exactly the same height as the 225/55/17 stock tires because I didn't want to mess with the calibration any.

I agree on the Nav lump. It does look funny but I really do love the system. It is so easy to go someplace new now. I use it all the time and don't think I would want to go without it now. I'm not sure about the A4 but the A6 has a silver colored circle there that also stands out quite loudly. For the benefit it gives me I consider it a small price to pay. But, it is always the first thing people ask about the car.

"What is that square thing on your trunk?"

"It is the receiver for the navigation system. It receives signals from space."

"Cool"

DJ

Sorry to be in the wrong forum, but will those wheels fit correctly on an A6 2.7T? Also, do you know if they're lighter then the stock setup on the 2.7T w/sport pkg?

Ali B

I assume that you went with 245/45R18 tires on 18 x 8 wheels. Am I correct? Wouldn't 8.5" width work better with 245 tires? Perhaps there is a clearance problem with the 8.5" width.

Yes, these tires are the same height as your 17" tires. I was merely saying that even though the fender gap is exactly the same as before, it appears larger because of the lower profile rubber (proportion of gap to tire sidewall is higher). Based on a second look at all the pictures, your gap seems fine. I'm glad you like the Audi navigation system. In the recent C/D comparison test involving the '00 A8, it was judged to be the enthusiast driver's choice with best cockpit ergonomics.

Manny

The GPS antenna is installed at the dealer. They cut a whole in the trunk and put the box on. The cars you may have seen on the lot with GPS may not have had the antenna mounted yet.

Bart A. Lane

I went with S8 sizes although I have seen a few posted that were different. For the most part I see 245/45/18 on 8x18 rims which is what I have. I was assured on several fronts that 245 is fine on a 8" rim and the A6 4.2 has 255 on a 8" wheel so it is fine.

I don't know if 8.5" would have fit or not, it looks like it would be very close up front but the 8" width was a no brainer for me anyway. I know the S8 wheel is 8x18 for sure and I wanted to stick with that.

The Nav system continues to amaze me. Everybody I know pooh-poohed such a feature when I first brought it home. Now they all love it.

After I get my brakes on I will take some better pictures on level ground with a clean car. Pressed for time today. It really does look all right to me.

mrw

S4 nav antenna is INSIDE the trunk, no lump.

J.H@ll

Bart, does this mean plans for S8 Avus wheels are now off?

J.H@ll

… ignore the question above.