55cadillacking

https://www.audiforum.ca/q5-q7-58/my...nt-move-71238/

Hilarious. I just pulled the trigger on the LM60's from Tirerack. Should be here next week. I chose them over the DMV1's because they are supposed to be a better performer on those dry winter days. I've had a lot of different Blizzaks over the years, but this is the first time going with the LM60.

mtjim

After some research, I decided to go with a 20" Hartmann rim set up with Pirelli Scorpions. A few reviews by other scorpion owners seem to give them solid marks in snow/wet/dry conditions and here in Montana, we have it all. The tire size is the same as what came with the car and they seem to work well so far. Actually the Hartmann package with the Pirellis is better looking (in my and other's opinions) than the 20" rims and the Goodyear Excellence tires that came from the factory. Tires were $293ea from Tire Rack and the rims were $345 direct from Hartmann. Audi's package was more and really didn't do it for me.

55cadillacking

Great minds think (almost exactly) alike. I just took delivery of a set of 255/45 R20 Bridgestone Blizzak LM60's from Tire Rack. I will be mounting them on Hartmann's as well. Which design of wheel did you go with?

mtjim

55caddy: Please go to section 13 on the Hartmann website and go to the second-to-last entry. There you will see 18", 19", and 20" wheels for the SQ5. I went with the ET29 20" wheels and they look sharp! The local Audi dealership (only one in MT is in my town), thought they were sharp too. Those Blizzaks are great in heavy snow and ice and I've run them in the past myself, although not the exact ones you have. Good luck with your choice!

mtjim

55caddy - one other thing; the Hartmanns requre slightly longer lug bolts. Our Audi dealer had them and just gave them to me, so "two thumbs up" to the dlrshp!

55cadillacking

Yes! You went with the 5-spoke rotor rims. I was very tempted to go that direction. I bet they look like a million bucks. Any chance you can post up some photos? Bridgestone has a few versions of the Blizzak, but the LM60 is supposed to be the best performer in dry winter conditions, which is what I deal with (city living) 90% of the time.

Also, thanks for the advice on the lug bolts. The CDN Hartmann dealer (ESSEX) actually sent me a set of bolts that work with the exact wheels I went with (triple-split 5-spoke). I asked the guy at Essex what the difference was and this was his response:

The difference is not in the length but how the seat of the lug fits in the Hartmann Wheels.We just found out on Friday that the later production SQ5 had a bigger seat to them so they did not fit in the Hartmanns correctly so we are just take a precaution and getting all SQ5 customers new bolts.

Regardless, I am confident they will work well with the wheels I chose. Congratulations on our choice and I do hope you are able to post up pics.

cooper

My SQ5 (off the lot) came with the 20 inch OEMs. I have an opportunity to buy a set of the 21 inch OEMs + tires brand new for $3,500 (private w/ no tax). I would throw winter tires on my OEM 20's (cost approx. $1,100). So all in this option is around $4,600, less whatever I can recover from selling the 20" Michelin Latitude summers.

Have any of you driven the SQ5 with 21's vs. 20's? Is there a discernable difference in performance and handling? I thought the 21 inch may ride a bit rough, but would be interested to hear from anyone who has test driven both.

The other option that I am looking at is throwing on Hartmann triple split 5 spoke wheels with Blizzaks for winter (all in around $2,600+tax). The difference between the two options is around $2k and I would recover some of that from selling the 20" Michelins. Man it is tempting! I like those 21's way better than the 20's!

bimmer26

So both yourself and 55cadillacking have the 21" summer rim-tires? They look great! I have the 21" currently as well but I really need to buy a set of winters. My dealership is telling me to choose the Audi 20" but not only will it cost me $5000+, I don't like the look.

After reading what everyone has posted on this topic I really like either 20" Hartmann HS5-209-GA:M or HRS6-204-MA with LM-60 or Scorpion.

I mentioned to my dealership I wanted to check out after market and they mentioned I would get vibration and issues in the end. I don't think it's a scare tactic to buy Audi product b/c I have a great relationship with them however I'm sure they are looking out for their best interest first. Does have me concerned since it's the first time I'm buying non-factory equipment.

I would appreciate any feedback from those experienced with buying aftermarket and specifically with the SQ5.

Cheers!

55cadillacking

I think $3500 for the OEM 21's with the Dunlops is a good deal considering my 20" Hartmann's with Blizzak LM60's set me back $3000 after all was said and done. Actually, that's a no brainer imho.

I don't have my SQ5 yet so I can't comment on the specific ride difference between the 20's and 21's, but from my experience with other cars, it's when you start getting down to a 40-series tire or lower, it can be a significantly rougher ride. Whatever the difference, it sounds like you are quite smitten with the 21's so I think you'll be kicking yourself down the road if you pass up that opportunity. The heart wants what the heart wants...

I had 22" rims for the summer on my Q7 and I liked the stiffness of the ride. I put aftermarket MRR 19" rims on my Eibach-lowered Kia Optima SX (my daily driver) and that is a rough rider. My **** puckers at the mere suggestion of a dip or bump in the road.

Let us know what you end up choosing. (Go 21's!)

$5k for a 20" set up? That's nuts. For that kind of money I'd be looking at BBS or HRE. I think your dealer is making a pretty bold statement by stating you will have issues. It is totally dependent on what rim you end up with. I have had cheap Chinese knock-off replica rims that rolled straight and true, and I've had costly "brand name" aftermarket rims that sucked. Both of those Hartmann's you mentioned are gorgeous and will enhance the look of your ride. No doubt. The Hartmann's, from what I have been able to discern, are produced in Germany using a pretty decent process. The Audi OEM rims obviously undergo a much costlier development and testing process, and you pay for that. I was really on the fence, wondering if I should pay the extra cash for the Audi OEM's, but I am comfortable with the route I took. Was the extra $2k (Your $5k quote - my $3k for rims/tires) worth the extra piece of mind? I didn't think so. If you are worried about non-OEM, and you think you'll forever be paranoid, and you can afford it, go OEM. It's a tough one if you don't like the look of the 20. Long story longer, I'm not much help. Go with your gut.

mtjim

Hi Bimmer, I can't believe that either the Hartmann rims or the Blizzaks or the Scorpions pose a problem. My own saleman oredered Hartmann's for his wife's new Q7 that came in with my SQ5. He got Blizzaks as she wanted more grip and less performance. I opted for the Hartmann rims mentioned in an earlier post of mine with the Scorpions as I wanted performance (V-rated: good to 149 mph), while still having good grip. I ran Pirelli's on my old Saab 9000 Turbo and they were great. I've run the new ones 450 miles so far and no vibration. When they were a little broken in (200 miles) I started to push them more and they passed with flying colors. Tire Rack had some good reviews on them. Audi matched Tire Rack's price of $2,552 for the rims and tires as they could see they were going to lose the entire sale. I'm guessing they could still make a couple of bucks and they guaranteed all. There was no "song and dance" about only using Audi equip; heck, all the staff said, "You're smart enough, go ahead with what you are doing as it's what we do." That was all I needed to hear. Hope that helps Bimmer!