The question “will Mercedes wheels fit Audi?” is frequently asked because both car manufacturing companies originate from the same country – Germany.
There have also been rumors about the companies being closely knitted to one another, well, that would have to be a discussion for another day. The answer to the question “will Mercedes wheels fit Audi?” is NO; Mercedes wheels will not fit Audi.
The reason might vary based on the assessment of different experts, but speaking on specifics; the offset for Mercedes is 37mm while that of Audi is around 45mm, besides, the center bore for Mercedes is way larger than those of Audi which makes it practically impossible for Mercedes wheels to fit Audi.
Regardless of the differences, the wheels on an Audi should fit a Mercedes, but I wouldn’t bank on it though.
What is the wheel bolt pattern on an Audi?
The wheel bolt pattern of Audi models including S8, A8, S6, A6, S4, and A4 have a bolt pattern of 5X112. The Audis with a different bolt pattern is the TT model which has a bolt pattern of 5X100. Audi Q7 has a different bolt pattern as well.
The offset of all Audi vehicles will also tend to vary depending on the actual model, but also relative to its rim width. The actual measurement is usually determined by the wheel to bolt up a level to the hub face to the wheel’s center line.
For a particular width – depending on the model of Audi – the lower the offset of the vehicle, the greater its wheel will be pushed outward in the direction of the fender.
Audi models such as A8 19’s and 18’s with an 8 ½ width have their offset measured at 45mm.
However, the offset on the 9/20 is measured at 46mm which doesn’t really differ in the actual sense, but when you consider the maths involving the wheel centreline and the bolt up level, you’ll see that half of the width increase will face inwards – about ¼ inch – while the other half will face outwards.
In the case of the A8 series, they can sufficiently handle the increase that comes in the offset without causing damages to the suspensions inwardly or outwardly rubbing the fenders.
Anyone looking to give their Audi a more robust look can consider reducing the offset to a particular width, or better still, use spacers. This correction will place the load away from the bearing, but it will sufficiently increase the wear on the suspension parts.
Owners of Audi OEM rims looking to achieve a robust look might not be able to do it without spacers since most of the Audi rims are built with similar offsets with a particular width.
The exemptions in this category are RS6, S6, C5, A6, and 4.2C5; and the reason they are exempted from the list is that they are produced with big fenders. Usually, Audi reduces the offset to about 10mm in a given width, but it use to be a bit more.
Regardless, if you want 18s, the only option you might have would be to use RS6 wheels which can be quite rare to find.
Those who have a set of these hard-to-get wheels will tell you that they slightly move outside the edge compared to the 20’s you know, even though the ’20s are designed with 275/35’s and RS 6 wheels are designed with 255/45.
There are more choices out there in the open market, usually around ET 35 which are closely related to the C5 fender flare group.
Spacers will allow you to do a lot without wheel expenses or changeouts. For instance, when spacers are used at the rear, the wheels are more tucked inside the fenders than in the front. The same goes for more issues with suspension loading, the wheel bolts will have to be properly fit.
Finally, all these should be adhered to if you want a good set that puts the diameter in the same proportion as the wheel bolt-up level, to help reduce the effect of the added appearance.
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How do I know what rims will fit my car?
Because of the many options available to us in wheel styles, one can easily get confused as to what wheel will fit a particular ride.
You might like a particular set of wheels but it’s definitely not a guarantee that it would fit on your vehicle. Not to worry, the steps clearly outlined below will help you solve this dilemma regardless of the vehicle type.
Step 1
Ensure you know the bolt pattern
Knowing the bolt pattern of your vehicle is the foundational knowledge you must have. I have already started the Audi bolt pattern to be 5X112 for most of the car series except the TT model and Q7.
If you aren’t sure about the bolt pattern of your vehicle, you can always Google it, or better still, count the number of lugs on a wheel, then use a tape to measure the distance between any opposing lug nut.
Step 2
Measure the stock dimension of your wheel
To get the true measurement of a wheel, you have to measure the wheel diameter and the overall width using your tape. If the replacement tire you have fits the measurement, go right ahead and do the exchange.
Some wheels might also fit even if they have a larger diameter or wider wheels, but note that you’re going to have issues when it comes to clearance.
However, if you still wish to install wheels with larger diameters than required, then installing low profile tires would be the way to go because they help put the outer dimension of the tire and wheel in the same bracket – one does not exceed the other. This also means that using a wider wheel will require you to install wider tires.
Step 3
Know the offset of your rear wheels
For those who don’t know, the offset of a wheel is the position where a wheel is located concerning the hub. In determining the offset of a wheel, you have to note the position of a mounting pad concerning the centreline of the said wheel.
An offset is said to be negative when the mounting pad of a wheel is facing outwards of the centreline, which can commonly be found on rear wheel drives. On the other hand, an offset is said to be positive if the wheel’s mountain pad faces the inward centreline of the wheel and puts the wheel closer to the body.
When wheels are used with incorrect offsets, lots of things can go wrong. For instance, if the wheels are too far from the bodywork of the vehicle, the tires might end up rubbing the wheel openings, and if the wheels are too close, there’s bound to be interference between the brake components and the suspension.
Getting it right with the offset is the final thing you need to know before going ahead to experiment with other wheels on your vehicle. If you aren’t sure about anything, seek the advice of a seasoned professional to get it done professionally.
How can I get the best out of my Audi wheel?
Audi cars are definitely one of the very best out there, and if you don’t want to spend a fortune on replacing your wheels every now and then, you have to take deliberate steps to get the best out of your wheels. The following tips below will help.
Check the pressure of your tires regularly
Tire pressures are known to fluctuate, especially during winter and summer times. This is why you have to constantly check the pressure of your tires to ensure they stay within the limits of the specified PSI, which is usually 32-36.
Rotate your wheels
As long as the offset isn’t an issue, you should practice rotating your wheels periodically to help balance the effect of wear it will be experiencing. Uneven wear can make you spend unnecessarily on tire replacements.
Ensure your tires are properly aligned
Properly aligning your tires will reduce the effect of wear and tear on your tires and also make your driving experience more comfortable and fun.
FAQs
What cars use bolt pattern 5X112?
Cars having the 5X112 bolt pattern aside from Audi vehicles include BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen. However, the offset of each vehicle should be considered before assuming they will fit your vehicle.
What is the bolt pattern of the Audi A4?
Just like most Audi vehicles, the bolt pattern on Audi A4 is 5X112 with an OEM of a set of 43. However, a low 30s will still do.
Can you fit 5X110 to 5X112?
Yes, you can fit anything ranging from 110 to 112 as long as you use wobbles, and as long as you don’t exceed the 2mm barrier required for wobbles to work properly.
Will Mercedes wheels fit Audi – Conclusion
Getting it right with your wheel is one of the first things you have to do if you want to truly enjoy your vehicle, and I only hope you get it right with this one. Kindly let me know if you have any other thoughts you would like me to share in the comments section. Cheers…
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.