O.Z. Wheels for R8

[hmp10]

TireRack (for those of us in the U.S.) has now had an R8 in their shop to test for wheel fitments. They said the biggest challenge was brake clearance, as the R8 brakes extend rather far outward.

The lightest of the wheels they offer is the O.Z. Botticelli III, which TireRack tells me weighs roughly 8 pounds less per wheel than the factory wheel (and roughly 3 pounds less than the next lightest wheel they stock for this car, the O.Z. Superleggera III.)

Has anyone had any experience with O.Z. wheels?

[biggie27]

O.Z. makes quality wheels Ive never owned a set personaly but I know a few people who had them and Ive heard good things, there on par with bbs quality if that helps

[hmp10]

Thanks for the input. I've also had very good experiences with TireRack, which now assembles the 3-piece OZ wheels at their own site.

I need to put a set of all-season tires on my car for the winter, and I was going to order a second set of factory wheels. However, the OZ wheels at TireRack are only a few hundred dollars more for a full set, they are forged (the factory wheels are cast), and they weigh considerably less. So I think I'm going with the OZ wheels -- probably the Superleggera III's. (The Botticellis weigh a bit less, but their design is a lot "busier".)

[biggie27]

what size rims are u going to get, the superlegra's are nice they would look hot with the r8

[hmp10]

Gonna stick with the 19".

[hmp10]

My car is arriving December 28, and I've got to put all-season tires on it. So I'm now right up against the decision of whether to get new winter wheels and keep the summer tires mounted on the factory wheels instead of switching tires on and off wheels.

I'm leaning toward the O.Z. Superleggera III wheels, which I would get from TireRack and have them mount the winter tires before shipment. Since the R8 has a tire pressure monitoring system, TireRack would install their own sensors on each wheel. They are telling me the R8 receiver will automatically adjust to read the signal from the TireRack sensors.

Does anyone know whether that is true?

Thanks.

[OEMplus.com]

The OZ are a great brand and look terrific. I would prefer the Galileo III.

They are telling me the R8 receiver will automatically adjust to read the signal from the TireRack sensors. Does anyone know whether that is true?

Yes, I do these all the time. You'll only need to reset the car via the MMI and it will adapt to the new sensors.

[hmp10]

I like the Galileo, too. However, it's a cast wheel. The only two forged O.Z. wheels available for the R8 are the Superleggera and the Botticelli. (The Botticelli is a couple of pounds lighter, but the design is a bit "busy" for my tastes.)

The O.Z. wheels are very close to the factory spec. Factory offsets are 42mm/50mm, and the O.Z. offsets are 43mm/51mm. However, the O.Z. wheels do require centering rings to fit the R8 hubs.

Actually, I committed yesterday to the Superleggera wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RS960 all-season tires (the only all-season tire made in the rear wheel size). I am buying them through my car dealer, who is getting them from TireRack's wholesale division.

I also found out the R8 tire pressure monitoring system can be programmed by the dealer to receive the signals from two different sets of tire sensors without the driver having to do anything. Audi did this to accommodate people who switch tires when they get to the track.

So when the dealer delivers the car to me, it will already be programmed for both the summer and winter set-ups, using TireRack-installed sensors for the winter set-up.

[OEMplus.com]

Oops, didn't read the fine print to realize that the Galileo is not a forged wheel. In that case, I'm with you on the Superleggera's.

The centering ring is not a big deal and won't negatively affect fit or performance. Glad to see that you're dealer is taking care of the second wheel package for you. Post some photos when you have it delivered!

[yacoub]

sounds like a good choice and i'd love to see pics of the SuperLegg3s on it when you swap to the winter gear =)