tomashek

Maybe is a stupid question, but what is replica wheel? How are they different from factory wheels?
Thanks in advance

warcity

iTrader: (1)

Same wheel but instead of it being made by Audi, it's made by 3rd party company. It's not as good in quality of course hence the price, this is why it's great for winter use because in winter your wheel will most likely get damaged anyways. Almost 90% folks I know use non factory alloy for winter.

tomashek

Hey, thanks for clarifying. Now I know!

sodapop

oops..here it is...

Regina_TTS

Looking good, sodapop! Love that S Line.

tomashek, my wheels and tires can be seen here complete with pics and links: https://www.audiforum.ca/q5-q7/50225-winter-wheels.html

The best deals and best selection that I have found has always been at Tire Rack.com. As much as I would love to support local shops, nine times out of ten the local guys can't come anywhere close to Tire Rack on price, even after shipping and duty. Also, if you buy a wheel/tire combination, Tire Rack uses Audi quattro recommended "road force" balancing that most smaller shops don't have the equipment for. You can even have your purchase shipped directly to your Audi dealer if that's where you prefer to have the wheels installed.

tomashek

Regina_TTS, how log have you driven on then and how much would you settle for?
Send me a private message if needed to.

kordell10

Hi Tony,

This is great info, thanks for sharing. I too am researching winter tires for my yet-to-be-delivered Q5 (hopefully late-Oct), and I have a very n00b question about changing tires myself. Are there any concerns with the tires not being properly balanced, meaning can I screw up the install and cause issues? Changing a tire looks like a very easy task, I just want to make sure I am not underestimating the job. I'd rather do this myself each season as opposed to bringing it to the dealer or a tire shop - they won't be as careful with my car as I will!

I like the Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow that you use, they are $157 each on TireRack.com. I called OK Tire locally and they are $284 each. As you said, even with shipping, duty and exchange I will come out way ahead on a set of 4 tires mounted on 18" wheels and properly balanced by Tire Rack!

Thanks,
Steve

Regina_TTS

The tires have about 4000km (mid-October to the end of March) on them and there isn't a scratch on the wheels. The set was $2500 new so I'd be looking for $1700.

Regina_TTS

No problem, Steve. Proper balancing is done by the shop that mounts the (rubber) tires on the (alloy) wheels. From there it's just a matter of bolting the wheels on to the car. As long as you have the right tools (all of which are included with your Q5) changing the wheels on your own shouldn't be a problem and will have no bearing on the actual balance of the tires on the wheels. I do mine myself seasonally. I like to thoroughly clean the wheels after I change them and as you said, a shop "won't be as careful with my car as I will." And as an added bonus, you just saved yourself up to $100 in labour and you just had a practice run should you get a flat.

All shiny and ready for winter...

kordell10

Awesome - thanks Tony! Now I have a bit more confidence that ordering from the US is the way to go.

Great pics, thanks for sharing... I like the setup!