Mercedes wheels can be fitted on Audi. But can Audi wheels be fitted on Mercedes?
No, Audi wheels won’t fit on Mercedes-Benz because Mercedes has a bigger center bore than that of Audi. As a result, to fit Audi wheels on a Mercedes, you will have to take the wheels to a mechanic to bore out the center bore before fixing them on your Mercedes.
Audi center bore measures about 57.1, while Mercedes center bore is 66.5. So, to fit an Audi wheel on a Mercedes, the mechanic will have to bore its center up to 66.5. However, both of these cars come with the same bold pattern, which is 5X112. Hence, the bolt pattern isn’t the problem but the center bore is.
Depending on your Mercedes and Audi models, you may have to consider other factors, such as wheel size, tire size, and wheel offset. These factors will help you know if the Audi tire with a bored-out center will fit on your Mercedes.
Factors to consider before fitting a custom wheel
Bolt pattern
Most luxury cars on the market come with a bolt pattern of 5X112. Audi and Mercedes are some of the luxury cars with this bolt pattern. Therefore, fixing an Audi wheel on a Mercedes is straightforward if you bore the center to match the Mercedes’ center bore.
Note that a car’s bolt pattern is made up of two parts; the number of wheel studs and the centerline of those wheel studs. In this case, Audi and Mercedes have five wheel studs and the diameter of the centerline of the wheel studs measures 112 mm.
The diameter of the wheel studs is normally measured in different ways, depending on the number of wheel studs. Measuring wheel studs with even numbers such as 4, 6, or 8 is easy. Simply measure from the center of one wheel stud to the center of the opposite wheel stud.
On the contrary, measuring wheel studs with odd numbers is quite different. You will have to measure the center of one wheel stud to the outside of the furthest wheel stud. But since both Audi and Mercedes have the same bolt pattern, the measurements are the same.
Tire size
Apart from the bolt pattern, you will also have to look at the tire size. Audi and Mercedes tire sizes usually vary. In most cases, Mercedes usually come with larger tires than Audi. However, you need to ensure that the middle of the tires is the correct size to that of Mercedes. If not, the tires will not fit.
Since most Mercedes tires are larger than Audi tires, make sure the Audi tire you’re placing on the Mercedes is only smaller by an inch. If it’s smaller than over 1-inch, then the tire won’t fit and this will cause issues during driving.
Wheel size
Another thing that you have to look at before fixing an Audi wheel on a Mercedes is the wheel size. To know if the rim fits, you will have to check the wheel’s dimensions. This is done by measuring the width and diameter of the wheel.
Note that the dimensions of the wheels vary from one car make and model to another. So, even though Audi and Mercedes may have the same bolt pattern, most of their rims differ in size. Most wheels have a diameter that falls between 15 and 18-inches, while the width can be up to 8-inches.
Wheel offset
The easiest way to find out if the Audi wheels will fit on a Mercedes-Benz is by determining both tire’s offset. The offset is normally defined as the space between the centerline of the rim and the hub mounting surface. Besides, the offset can be negative, positive, or zero offset.
Sports car lovers prefer negative offset, which makes the wheel stick outside of the car’s body. On the contrary, positive offset has the wheel tucked into the car. Both of these offsets have their setbacks. The negative offset can make the wheel rub against the car, while the positive offset can interfere with brakes and suspension.
So, before you install Audi wheels with negative or positive offset on your Mercedes, you should consider their pros and cons, unless you want to spend more time in the garage.
FAQ
What is wheel backspacing?
Wheel backspacing is usually measured from the mounting hub of the wheel to the back of the wheel. This is done in inches. It’s important to note that the bigger the backspace of the wheel, the further it will stick back under the car.
Do the latest Audi models have the same center bore as Mercedes?
Yes, they do. Most of the latest Audi models have a 66.6 mm center bore, instead of 57.1 mm. Additionally, they also have the same bolt pattern (5X112). Hence, fitting Audi wheels on Mercedes has been made easier.
What do I have to do to fit Audi wheels on Mercedes if the offset is not the same?
Mercedes usually has an offset of about 37 mm, while Audi has an offset of about 45 mm. To make Audi wheels fit on Mercedes, you may have to use wheel spacers. Note that the difference in offset should always be within 5 mm. So, for the Audi wheels to fit on your Mercedes, they should have an offset of less than 42 mm.
Is the 5X120 bolt pattern the same as the 5X112 bolt pattern?
No, they are not the same. The 5X120 bolt pattern has a bigger radius than the 5X112 bolt pattern. However, both have the same number of wheel studs, but only differ when it comes to the diameter of the centerline of the wheel studs.
Conclusion
Even though fitting Audi wheels on Mercedes is possible, it’s not as easy as fitting Mercedes wheels on Audi. This is because Audi has a smaller center bore than Mercedes. Therefore, fitting Audi wheels on Mercedes requiring boring out the center bore on the rim to make it fit.
What’s more, both of these wheels have a 5X112 bolt pattern, which simplifies things for people who want to interchange Mercedes with Audi rims. However, you will also have to consider the tire size, rim size, and wheel offset.