[Guest]

Hello all,

Received my Q5 recently (offroad pkg) and immediately switched to factory 18" rims at dealership smallest available for Q5.

Based on reviews, I knew it was a rigid ride but thought that with the 18's I'd be able to soften it considerably; haven't hit the sweet spot yet; my back telleth me so...

What would happen if I changed to tires with a larger sidewall height (aspect ratio)? Factory installed are 60; can I go to 65, and, will it further soften the ride? If not, can I install 17" rims on the Q5 or would the Audi designer police come to snatch me in the middle of the night? (17's seem to have a much larger choice of A/T tires to choose from). I suppose width has to remain at 235?

I live in a country with less than ideal roads..

Cheers

 

[guyguyke]

Your Q5 comes now with 18"-rims and the correct /60 tyre ratio in order to keep the diameter of the wheel at the right value, what is important for mileage and speed readings), but the ordinary Q5 comes with 17"-rims (235/65/17)
Switching to 235/65/18 will alter the readings and therefore is not allowed (see the conformity certificate)
The only combinations are
235/65/17
235/60/18
235/55/19
245/50/20 (width has no effect on the diameter, but is function of the width of the rim, here 1/2 inch wider)

Comfort beeing proportional to the high of the tyre, the only way to go if you are not satisfied of the ride of the /60 tyres is to retrofit 17"rims with /65 tyres; within a reasonnable mileage, you dealer will probably accept to switch free of costs (my dealer promised this, but I stayed on my 235/55/19, in my opinion the shortest tyre that preserves an acceptable comfort
By way of comparison, my Q5 is softer than all A4 I tested before buying the Q5

 

[Guest]

Thank you Guyguyke,

Very helpful insights regarding tire conformity!

I had asked these same questions to my Audi dealer but they (basically) shrugged their shoulders like "I dunno.."

As you said, comfort is proportional to the height of the wheel so I'll most likely switch down to the 17's; then I can safely retrofit to the /65 radials whilst maintaining correct mileage and speed readings thus avoiding a core meltdown in the warp drive

At the end of the day, it may not look as cool but whaddaya gonna do?

Thanks again..

 

[guyguyke]

little precision : comfort depends on the height of the tyre, not the wheel
I'm surprised that you consider the 18"-rims as not soft enough, because tyres with an aspect-ratio of /60 are nowadays absolutely common on (older) limousines. On his 235/55/19 rims my Q5 behaves largely as smooth as my Saab Convertible (215/55/16). It is an advantage of the SUV's that they are equipped with bigger wheels (and higher tyres) than their limo sisters (an A4 has 225/45 on 18"-wheels, that is two measures shorter and significantly harder)

 

[Hooplescat]

so what are the deepest tyes i can put on the 20" off road rims?

 

[moonan]

Does anyone know the exact specs of the wheels for a Q5?

ie bolt pattern diameter, offset etc. I am thinking of trying to find a set of steel wheels (probably 17" but maybe 16 if they can be made to fit) for serious off-road use in the Australian outback. Planning a trip across the Simpson Desert with my Touareg brethren later in the year.....

cheers,

.Neil