Anorangeman

My new 2018 RS8 has the Black Optics package so comes with the 20" wheels / summer performance tires. But I will need winter tires / wheels where I am at in Upstate NY.


The tires I would like are the Michelin X-ICE XI3 225/50R18, a good value at 4 for $649.76 (after $70 exclusive Tirerack rebate)


Tirerack doesn't seem to sell any wheels at any size that fit the 2018 RS8 so...


The wheels I am eyeing are $140 each from discounttire and would seem to fit the tires well as a tire at the above size should not be on a rim wider than 8.00 inches, per this calculator. Also, the speedometer reading differential is very low and well within accepted recommendations.


I understand the need to accommodate the hub / center bore, offset, and brakes / calipers after minus sizing like this.


From what I could find, the 2018 RS8 has a center bore of 66.5mm and the non-ceramic brakes that I have are a size of 14.8 inches (front) / 13.0 inches (rear)


The above wheels indicate a hub bore size of 67mm, 8.00 inches wide, and an offset of 20mm, so a good fit I would think, as the 19 inch stock wheels and 20 inch optional wheels have an offset of 24mm and 26mm, respectively.


Does anyone see any reason why my proposed tire / wheel combination won't work well without needing to use spacers or extra long lugs and is also a much better value than buying 19 or 20 inch winter tires, as they always seem to be much more expensive than 18 inch winter tires. I mean, having a narrower tread width (225) and higher sidewall height can only improve snow traction and pothole resistance over anything wider and shorter (and astronomically more expensive) to boot, am I right? I'll just need to pay a local shop to mount / balance for this match made in heaven.


Am I missing anything? Check me if I'm wrong please.

NABS4

I don't know what a "RS8" is but if it's a RS5, then the consensus is that most (perhaps all) 18" wheels are too small for the car given the diameter of the front rotors.

Anorangeman

Deazy

I would be very leery of 18" wheels unless they were test fit with tires on and balance weights. My S6 barely could take 19's and i had to make sure the wheel weights were low profile on the inside of the barrel or they'd hit. Just my experience.

Derboy

Will be tight in front brakes and increase your overall diameter by 17mm so less room in the arch. For me, I'd be buying another tyre at 19"

mhblaw

I had 18" whinter wheels/tires for my '13 RS5 that did fit my '18 S5. Tried them on my '18 RS5 and very little clearance between the caliper and the wheel so sold them with the S5. I did order wheels and tires from my local tire shop and installed Saturday, 19", 35mm offset and 245 x 40 x 19 Nokian Happelitta snow tires. Go with 19's even though tires are more expensive than 18's.

JBDinTX