18-inch or 20-inch
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 30
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18-inch or 20-inch
Hello everyone,
Just bought a new 2009 Q7 3.6 Premium Plus, White/beige. The car has 18-inch wheels on but got a great deal so could not resist passing it up. I am thinking about upgrading to 20-inch (yes, i know i will need the "spacers") but would like to know if the effects on ride quality, handling, etc.
Just bought a new 2009 Q7 3.6 Premium Plus, White/beige. The car has 18-inch wheels on but got a great deal so could not resist passing it up. I am thinking about upgrading to 20-inch (yes, i know i will need the "spacers") but would like to know if the effects on ride quality, handling, etc.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,319
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From: Ireland, Dublin
Welcome aboard, I think it will partially depend on your choice of tyres
Some of the guys are using both Summer/Winter so they will give the best direct comparison. That said 20" is the most common size on Q7s so no worries really.
Your location may also affect what you want to ride on.
I would describe my ride on 20s as firm but not annoyingly so.
Your location may also affect what you want to ride on.
I would describe my ride on 20s as firm but not annoyingly so.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 720
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You could try 19s?
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/85357/17112008040.jpg"></center><p>I waited for the tyres to wear out on my double spoke 18s and then bought the new 19 inch style with new tyres. The ride isn't much different but I agree the 18s look slightly 'wrong'. I went for Continental tyres again and expect around 21k miles again. I now have them fully inflated as per the manual for better life though, so hoping to be surprised. There are a couple of other 19" styles and I could forward part numbers if I can find my old emails if you like. Official Audi wheels aren't cheap though.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 55
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I drive a '07 Q7 4.2 with OEM 20-inch double spoke (stock) initially on Conti's
I don't remember a large difference in ride quality compared with the other Q7 3.6 on 18" I test drove back then. Perhaps the thing that stuck to my mind was how harsh the 20" were on the X5 that I also test drove beforehand. In contrast, the ride on the GL450 with 19" wheels felt really mushy. On the Q, 20" felt just about right. Looking back, the ride with the original Conti's seem a little stiffer and as it approached 20K miles had increasing subtle vibrations despite good alignment and wheel balance and careful tire pressure inflation. My current Michelins (only 2K miles on them) have a much better ride and grip. On the whole I like the balance of road "feel" without getting a sore bum even on 3-hour road trips. Ofcourse, this is only IMHO....
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,196
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From: Chicagoland
Ride is definitely firmer, but why would finding tires be hard? Lots of 275/45-20 tires out there.
23 at Tirerack alone.<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR4&url=%2Ftires%2FCompare1.jsp%3Fwidth%3D 275%252F%26amp%3Bratio%3D45%26amp%3Bdiameter%3D20% 26amp%3BskipOver%3Dtrue%26amp%3BautoYear%3D2007%26 amp%3Bdiameter%3D20%26amp%3BsortCode%3D60060%26amp %3BautoMo
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