New Wheels Required - What Should I do?
- Thread starter Fiona
- Start date
One benefit of using the standard 175/60R15 fitted to the standard 5.5Jx15 ET34 rim, is that it will fit in the spare wheel well.
However, a slightly oversize 185/60R15 would be the same width if fitted to a narrower 5Jx15 ET28 rim so would also fit in the spare wheel well, as shown in the chart below.
If you want to continue driving at normal speeds after getting a puncture, this could be worth considering...instead of fitting a different sized spare and being limited to 50mph and rather compromised handling.
The 175 and 185 shown on a tyre's sidewall is simply the nominal width. The actual inflated width of a tyre always depends on the width of the rim to which it is fitted. If you were to fit a 185/60R15 to a 5.5J rim, it's actual inflated width would be 189mm, and if you were to fit a 185/60R15 to a 6J rim, it's actual inflated width would be 195mm. So as you can see, it's only when you fit a 185/60R15 to a 5J rim does its actual inflated width become the same as a 175/60R15 fitted to a 5.5J rim.
Actual width of inflated tyre
175/60R15 fitted to 5.5J rim 183mm
185/60R15 fitted to 5J rim 183mm
185/60R15 fitted to 5.5J rim 189mm
185/60R15 fitted to 6J rim 195mm
Notice in the chart below that 8Z0601027 and 8Z0601027 03C is the same OEM part number. The associated 03C is simply the 3-digit colour code, which as shown in the chart below means "rally black". When searching online, it's normal just to use the shortened version without the 3-digit colour code.
Audi A2 original 15" steel rims
5Jx15 ET28 5/100 57.1 steel rim 8Z0601027A (listed on Audi Tradition)
5.5Jx15 ET34 5/100 57.1 steel rim 8Z0601027 (listed on Audi Tradition)
The below original 5.5Jx15 ET34 alloy rim is still available new from places such as Audi Tradition. However, the price is very high.
Audi A2 original 15" alloy rim
Audi Tradition are listing Pepperpots for 87.36 Euros each (about £74.75) plus shipping. However, Pepperpots come in two colours and the burnished silver colour is less popular than avus silver...hence why burnished silver is still available new and avus silver isn't (or at least expensive and difficult to find new).
Pepperpots 6Jx15 ET38 5/100 57.1 alloy rim 8L0601025D Z33 (burnished silver)
Pepperpots weigh a lot less than most other alloy rims that you might consider fitting to an A2, as they weigh an incredibly light 5.7kg. This is because they are a forged alloy lightweight design.
Pepperpots 6Jx15 ET38 5/100 57.1 alloy rim (from Audi A3)
Hub cap for Pepperpots
Audi Tradition are listing the correct hub caps for the Pepperpots. These might also still be available new to order through VAG parts departments.
Hub cap for Pepperpots 8L0601165D 7ZJ
However, a slightly oversize 185/60R15 would be the same width if fitted to a narrower 5Jx15 ET28 rim so would also fit in the spare wheel well, as shown in the chart below.
If you want to continue driving at normal speeds after getting a puncture, this could be worth considering...instead of fitting a different sized spare and being limited to 50mph and rather compromised handling.
The 175 and 185 shown on a tyre's sidewall is simply the nominal width. The actual inflated width of a tyre always depends on the width of the rim to which it is fitted. If you were to fit a 185/60R15 to a 5.5J rim, it's actual inflated width would be 189mm, and if you were to fit a 185/60R15 to a 6J rim, it's actual inflated width would be 195mm. So as you can see, it's only when you fit a 185/60R15 to a 5J rim does its actual inflated width become the same as a 175/60R15 fitted to a 5.5J rim.
Actual width of inflated tyre
175/60R15 fitted to 5.5J rim 183mm
185/60R15 fitted to 5J rim 183mm
185/60R15 fitted to 5.5J rim 189mm
185/60R15 fitted to 6J rim 195mm
Notice in the chart below that 8Z0601027 and 8Z0601027 03C is the same OEM part number. The associated 03C is simply the 3-digit colour code, which as shown in the chart below means "rally black". When searching online, it's normal just to use the shortened version without the 3-digit colour code.
Audi A2 original 15" steel rims
| 2 | 8Z0601027 | Steel rim | 5.5Jx15 ET34 5/100 57.1 | |||
| 8Z0601027 03C | rally black | |||||
| 3 | 8Z0601027A | Steel rim | 5Jx15 ET28 5/100 57.1 | |||
| 8Z0601027A 03C | rally black |
5Jx15 ET28 5/100 57.1 steel rim 8Z0601027A (listed on Audi Tradition)
5.5Jx15 ET34 5/100 57.1 steel rim 8Z0601027 (listed on Audi Tradition)
The below original 5.5Jx15 ET34 alloy rim is still available new from places such as Audi Tradition. However, the price is very high.
Audi A2 original 15" alloy rim
| 1 | 8Z0601025A | Aluminium rim | 5.5Jx15 ET34 5/100 57.1 | |||
| 8Z0601025A Z33 | burnished aluminium |
Audi Tradition are listing Pepperpots for 87.36 Euros each (about £74.75) plus shipping. However, Pepperpots come in two colours and the burnished silver colour is less popular than avus silver...hence why burnished silver is still available new and avus silver isn't (or at least expensive and difficult to find new).
Pepperpots 6Jx15 ET38 5/100 57.1 alloy rim 8L0601025D Z33 (burnished silver)
Pepperpots weigh a lot less than most other alloy rims that you might consider fitting to an A2, as they weigh an incredibly light 5.7kg. This is because they are a forged alloy lightweight design.
Pepperpots 6Jx15 ET38 5/100 57.1 alloy rim (from Audi A3)
| 3 | 8L0601025D | Aluminium rim | 6Jx15 ET38 5/100 57.1 | |||
| 8L0601025D Z33 | burnished aluminium | |||||
| 3 | 8L0601025E | Aluminium rim | 6Jx15 ET38 5/100 57.1 | |||
| 8L0601025E Z17 | avus silver |
| 9 | 8L0601165D | Hub cap | ||||
| 8L0601165D 7ZJ | grey metallic |
Audi Tradition are listing the correct hub caps for the Pepperpots. These might also still be available new to order through VAG parts departments.
Hub cap for Pepperpots 8L0601165D 7ZJ
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simon martyn
Member
I think you should go with Steve, Speaking personally I find the Falken tyre a very good all rounder.
The standard wheel is very strong, well made and balances well.
The standard wheel is very strong, well made and balances well.
PlasticMac
Member
Am I the only A2OC member who actually likes 17" wheels, for ride looks, and handling?
Mac.
Mac.
PlasticMac
Member
Mine's a Sport, no idea of 17" on non Sport, but with a bit more suspension travel compared to Sport, should be fine, surely .
Mac.
I have a set of four recently refurbished (locally, professionally) 17s 9 spokes. Since we are living in a teetering state, I am forced to use 15" pepperpots to preserve my car and its components. I will keep the wheels in the hope we might get a responsible functioning government before I move to mainland Europe in shame.
PlasticMac
Member
Offer them to @Fiona
Whichever party wins next time round, fixing pot holes won't be a priority. All but A & M roads are local authority's responsibility anyway.
Mac.
If I had a spare set, Mac, I certainly would.
As it is, it would be foolish of me to separate the original wheels from the 1.6 FSI. Wheels I had renovated to keep the car OEM. If were I to ultimately sell the car - which I am doing my utmost to maintain and improve (while keeping it OEM looking) - I would put those wheels on for photos and sell with the car, subject to the buyers' tastes (I'd offer up a set of 15" inch A1 wheels as an alternative, if they also wanted a slightly safer ride).
Regards who is responsible for our roads, I am well aware that LA are expected to maintain roads. They all appear to be massively underfunded by, ahem, central government.
Local authorities call for more road maintenance funding as government stands by its approach | New Civil Engineer
The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, published earlier this month by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), estimated that £12.64bn
www.newcivilengineer.com
PlasticMac
Member
It seems to me, that most of the potholes, on local roads are the result of poor road maintenance over decades. Our LA had a programme called "Resilience" which consisted of spreading an emulsions on top of the existing, 40, year old, surface. This raised the road surface about 15 - 20mm. Resulting in all iron work, drains and man lids, being 15 - 20mm below the road surface. This provides the perfect way for surface water to seep beneath the new surface. The end result? Potholes where there were none.If I had a spare set, Mac, I certainly would.
As it is, it would be foolish of me to separate the original wheels from the 1.6 FSI. Wheels I had renovated to keep the car OEM. If were I to ultimately sell the car - which I am doing my utmost to maintain and improve (while keeping it OEM looking) - I would put those wheels on for photos and sell with the car, subject to the buyers' tastes (I'd offer up a set of 15" inch A1 wheels as an alternative, if they also wanted a slightly safer ride).
Regards who is responsible for our roads, I am well aware that LA are expected to maintain roads. They all appear to be massively underfunded by, ahem, central government.
Local authorities call for more road maintenance funding as government stands by its approach | New Civil Engineer
The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, published earlier this month by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), estimated that £12.64bn
A similar, but much more expensive process is carried out on A roads. Again, insufficient of the original top surface is removed, before the new is applied. Again, iron works are now well below the road surface, and the adhesion of the new surface to the sub base, (which isn't really a sub base, but the remains of the original road), is poor. Again, potholes where there were none. Same applies to pot hole patching, poor preparation of the base, means patch doesn’t bond, pot holes return within twelve months.
I don't expect the PM or Minister of Transport to manage this work, it's the responsibility of local and national road management, who are the same, regardless of who's in power.
The problem goes back to poor, or non existent maintenance. Roads wear, and will wear much more rapidly in future with EV weighing in 100 % heavier than the standard used in the original, (1970/80s), design standard.
Mac.
Edit: Apologies for the thread swerve/rant.
Jellybean
A2OC Donor
Jellybean
A2OC Donor
Greywall
Member
Nope, I love the 17" sport wheels but hankering after a set of A1 18" wheels. I must be mad but they give the A2 a new lease of life!
Fiona
Member
After reading all your posts, still not being able to decide, I got the one wheel that needed fixing welded for £84, back on the road by mid afternoon which was the main thing. Interesting reading the different options, so plenty to consider when the day comes, thanks all.
I do rather like my original 17" and all the time my teeth and bones remain intact I'll keep going with them.
I do rather like my original 17" and all the time my teeth and bones remain intact I'll keep going with them.
Oldboy_2i
Member
Hi Fiona,
I'm having the same conundrum. I like the look of the original 17's but they are awful over bumps and don't even worse if they hit the slightest of pot holes. I blame the maintenance of the road and not the wheels/sport suspension. I've decided to stick with them and annoy anyone that's following me (I do like slowing down when there's a big 4x4 trying to bully me)!!!
