CompositesGuy

I've been thinking about this exact setup for winter. What was the offset on those 18x8 wheels you mounted? My 20x8.5 are 33mm. Most of the Audi wheels for the Q5 in 8in width are 39mm. Worried that a 39mm offset might rub with a 255 tire.

DennisMitchell

I have 19" OEM wheels on my 2014 Q5. I am running 255/50-19 tires with no problem.

canon_mutant

Got 2 of these in my shop . . . gets everything nicely up out of the way.

https://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=164

uncleiggy

CompositesGuy

Not sure that answers my question. The OEM 255/50-19 runs on a 19x8.5 wheel with a 33mm offset like my 20s. The original post is running 255/55-18 on an 18x8 wheel without mentioning the offset. If they are OEM they probably have a 39mm offset. In that case the 255 tire will be 0.080in closer inside the wheelwell than a 33mm offset wheel. Just looking for confirmation that a 39mm offset 18x8 wheel will not rub with 255/55-18 K02s.

DennisMitchell

The standard 19" wheel on the 2014 Q5 Prestige is 39mm offset.

69Firebird400

Honestly, I didn't think much about offset nor look it up. I just figured that OEM 18" Q5 wheels would be plug and play replacing the OEM 19" wheels that were on the car originally. The specs for the 255/55-18 KO2s on Tire Rack show that they accommodate an 8" wide wheel, and I figured that an extra 20mm, split evenly between the inside and outside of the tire, would widen the tire by just 10mm on each side. Further, the SQ5 has 255 width tires, so I figured I'd be ok with 255 tires, albeit much higher profile than the ones on the SQ5. Tire Rack shows the overall diameter and revolutions per mile of the 255/55-18 to be very similar to the stock tires too (716 for the stock tires vs. 717 for the KO2s; 29.0" diameter for stock vs. 29.2" for the KO2s). The only potential "whew!!" moment I had was after returning from the test drive on the new tires/wheels and noticed this very tight clearance at the top of the front tires. There's about 3/4" between the top of the tire and this piece.



After mounting and installing this setup, I turned the steering wheel to full stop in both directions and observed no binding or rubbing, so I think it's good. Also, when standing a mounted 235/55-19 stock tire/wheel next to a mounted 255/55-18 KO2/wheel, the extra width of the KO2 is because the edge of the sidewall in the KO2 is more vertical and tapers less toward the tread than the regular all-season tire.



That's cool. I was looking at that specific rack and am likely to get that one if I decide not to waste my time trying to build one from scratch out of 2x4s. How many wheels does it hold? If it holds 5 Q5 tires, that would cover the four spare Q5 wheels I have plus one unmounted extra for my wife's van, then I could get a second rack for my extra S6 wheels/tires.

Glad there's people smarter than me on here! Thank you!

CompositesGuy

Did you start with the 255s on your Q5? From the site below 2014 with 255 are on 8.5in wide wheels with 33mm. The 235s have 8in wide wheels with 39mm.

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/audi/q5/

DennisMitchell

The OEM tire on 19" OEM wheel was 235/55-19. Many on this forum have gone plus size replacing with Continental DWS 06 tire in 255/50-19. More sidewall for curb protection, and softer ride. Tire diameter is almost the same.

canon_mutant

It will depend on width. I just have 4 on mine. Also, the wider you extend it, the more it will droop in the middle [one of the short comings]. But, trying to remember as I've had them up for years, I "think" I put the risers on 48" centers [3 16s"] so it was more a function of being able to fit 5 wheels/tires between the 48" centers? Doubtful. Now, there are those grab the backside of the drywall hanger devices but I don't think I'd trust my set of wheels to those. You'd want them solid in studs.