Saki, you’ve mentioned in a few posts on various forums that the B7 RS4 wheels were forged. I don’t remember seeing a forged stamp on the back of my wheels when I cleaned them last. Where are you getting this information that they are forged? Great if they are, but I was pretty sure they were cast.
someone smart told me that. I just believed it. It makes a ton of sense though, as I’ve never seen a set of 19x9 ET29 wheels that weighed anything close to 26 lbs, especially in that design. For example, VMR708 which are a mm for mm replica of the RS4 wheel are only 19x8.5. ET38 wheels (so 1/2" narrower, and 9 mm less offsetting material) and they weigh 28-9lbs. Their 18x8.5 et38 wheels are around 26 lbs.
Would it necessarily say forged on a set of OEM production wheels that some company made 32,000 of?
Maybe not. I don’t see why they wouldnt distinguish between cast and forged though. I also don’t think the amount of wheels that a company makes really determines if a forged stamp is put on the wheels. Speaking of OEM productoin forged wheels, I can think of a few vehicles that have forged wheels with a stamp on them…Jeep SRT8, Subaru STI, Mitsubishi EVO MR, Nissan 350/370Z(with Rays). Granted all of these cars are higher production than the RS4, but again, why should production numbers matter? If companies are willing to spend the coin on forged wheels, put the damn stamp on to prove it. How is anyone to really know for sure without it? You can compare the weights of two very similar wheels, but keep in mind that there are various casting methods used out there. One method could produce a lighter/heavier wheel than another even if the wheel is the same design.
I dunno, all I’m saying is I want proof if a wheel is forged, not just hearsay. But that’s just me.
who gives a fuck if it’s forged, really? It’s very light, and when I was shocked by how light the RS4 wheel is I asked someone who knows a bunch about this car, and they explained that the wheels are forged. As I said above, I believed it, because it made sense with respect to the weight of the wheel vs. just about any other similarly sized wheel I’ve ever seen…let alone one with 14 spokes.
Should you choose to require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, that’s certainly your prerogative. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find out! The wheels look great, come on the car for free, and are very light for their size. I don’t really care one way or another.
well for a given mass the forged wheel is typically stronger, and given Audi’s tendency to build very strong wheels I’d suspect they are forged as well
So here’s a noob question that I’m curious about now. I understand the process of forged vs cast, but is forged lighter b/c the metal used weighs less comparatively to the molten metal poured into a cast? (Does the metal that is being poured into a cast need different impurities added for a more efficient melting point and/or casting process). I was under the impression that forged was more dense as well as more uniform. So typically, more dense = more weight.
I may be opening a can of worms about all the different metal forming processes, but my main knowledge of forged vs cast is golf clubs, where forged is best. I just always enjoy learning something new.
Saki, relax bud. All I’m getting at, is there’s no sense in saying the wheels are forged if nobody really knows for sure. We can make assumptions that they are, but that’s about it. For someone that is so particular about things(lets be honest, you like things proven and you like the facts) I just figured that you would know for a fact that the wheels were forged. That’s why I asked where you got your information from in the first place. I was trying to tap into your knowledge on the matter.
All good bro. Let’s get back on topic here. The wheels do look good, and your car looks fantastic as well…and yes I am jealous that you have nice Ti wheels.
From my understanding, the forging process makes metal more dense and as a result heavier. However because of it’s density, the object can be manufactured with less metal and still maintain it’s structrual integrity. That’s what makes it lighter.
its primarily more refined uniform crystal grain structure in forged materials… the grains will flow out along the shape of the part as its pressed whereas a cast piece the grains form based on cooling currents and are semi-random. Billet machined parts will have grains patterns like the billet but do not get the advantage of following the part shape.
I’m very relaxed. I’m just repeating what someone told me, and that someone is knowledgeable about the car. I really don’t care as I’ve said 3 times now. They’re light. They’re free. They fit. They look great. Good enough for me.
I’m not selling them. I’m not extolling their strength virtues and convincing anyone to buy the OEM RS4 wheels to buoy the market. I think as far as a ‘fact’ hunt goes, this is pretty supernumerary.
Good info and thanks. That’s kinda what I was going off of from my knowledge of cast vs forged, but didn’t know that about the billet machined parts. So really it just boils down to the forged being stronger and thus less material can be used for the same part when comparing to cast.
So, as previously discussed, I needed a set of winter wheels, and the weird fitment of the RS4 necessitated either an 8.5x18 ET20 or so wheel with a huge inner barrel to clear the calipers, or going 19. I just decided a second set of OEM RS4 wheels made the most sense. So I found this set of OEM 9x19 ET29 Titanium Package wheels and decided to buy them for my ‘summer’ wheel, and would use my OEM silver RS4 wheels for the winter. I’ve got a week with these Ti wheels on the car before they come off (wanted to test for balance/vibration etc.), so I snapped a couple of quick pics with the BlackBerry.
http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/343718362.jpg
http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/158857496.jpg
http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/611266829.jpg
Anyone ever get black badges for the RS4 that are OEM size?
There’s some on eBay but they’re smallish.
Euroswagr has some carbon fibre ones that I’d like to see.
I know some RS4 owners used audibadges.com/eurobadgez.com and parts4euro.com Not sure on sizing though, if it’s exactly as OEM or not.
sizing is the key component.
I think your car looks really sharp with ti package, ghetto or not looks good on avus. what do u think of just removing the rear badge. or removing and plasti dipping? that anthracite colour euro found looks great.
Anyone ever get black badges for the RS4 that are OEM size?
There’s some on eBay but they’re smallish.
Euroswagr has some carbon fibre ones that I’d like to see.
I know some RS4 owners used audibadges.com/eurobadgez.com and parts4euro.com Not sure on sizing though, if it’s exactly as OEM or not.
sizing is the key component.
I think your car looks really sharp with ti package, ghetto or not looks good on avus. what do u think of just removing the rear badge. or removing and plasti dipping? that anthracite colour euro found looks great.