2011 Audi R8 Wheel Fitment Guide

Professional, safety-first guidance for matching and upgrading wheels and tires on the 2011 Audi R8. Use the on-page calculator to validate every change before you buy.

tl;dr

• Known OEM anchors: 5x112, 57.1 mm center bore, M14 x 1.5 threads.
• Provided wheel: 19 x 8.5, ET 42, backspacing 5.9 in. Tire 235 width, 40 aspect, R18 is listed, which conflicts with a 19 in rim. Treat this as partial data.
• R8 often runs different front and rear sizes. Confirm per axle with the calculator and OEM sources.
• Keep tire diameter changes small, aim within about 2 percent, and verify brake and inner clearance.
• Use hub-centric wheels or rings for 57.1 mm. Do a dry fit and re-torque after 50 to 100 miles.

Recommendation

I recommend you validate your exact front and rear OEM sizes first, then model any change in the calculator before buying. Start from the known front baseline below unless your actual car shows otherwise. If your door placard, build sheet, or existing wheel stamps do not match the baseline, use your actual measurements instead.

Because the tire and wheel diameters above conflict, verify your car’s current tire sidewalls and the stamps on each wheel. The R8 commonly uses staggered setups, but exact sizes vary by trim and package. Do not assume rear sizes from the front data.

Impact

How size changes affect your R8

• Offset: Lower ET pushes wheels outward, higher ET tucks inward. Inner clearance to strut and upright is critical.
• Width: Wider wheels reduce inner clearance and may poke outside the fender. Model both inner and outer positions.
• Tire diameter: Affects gearing, speedometer, and ride height. Keep changes small and even per axle.
• Brake clearance: R8 calipers are large. Rim diameter, spoke shape, and barrel profile all matter. Do not rely on diameter alone.
• Hub fit: 57.1 mm center engagement keeps the wheel true. Rings are required if the wheel’s bore is larger.

What to aim for

• Overall tire diameter within about 2 percent of your verified OEM on each axle.
• Positive inner clearance margin after modeling in the calculator, then confirm with a physical check.
• Proper lug seat type for your wheels, correct thread engagement, and re-torque after short mileage.

Risks

• Caliper or barrel interference: Even if the diameter seems right, spoke design can collide with caliper corners.
• Inner rub: Too much inward move from offset or width can contact the strut or liner.
• Outer poke: Fender contact on compression or steering lock, especially with wider tires.
• Vibration: Non hub-centric fit or incorrect rings cause shake at speed.
• Hardware mismatch: Wrong lug seat type, bolt length, or spacer without proper hub lip.
• TPMS issues: Sensor type and frequency can vary. Confirm by VIN or current sensor markings.

Next actions

Checklist

• Read your current tire sidewalls and wheel stamps on both axles. Write down rim width, diameter, and offset if stamped.
• Check the door placard and the owner’s manual. If values differ, trust the placard for factory tire sizes, then confirm wheel specs physically.
• Open the calculator on this page. Set Installed on to 2011 Audi R8.
• Enter your verified OEM front and rear as baselines. If unknown, start with the given 19 x 8.5 ET 42 as a front reference only, and leave rear blank until verified.
• Model your candidate wheels or tires. Watch inner clearance, outer poke, and tire diameter delta as you change width, offset, and aspect ratio.
• If you test 18 in wheels, verify brake clearance carefully. Use a template from the wheel maker if available.
• Plan for hub-centric rings if wheel bore is larger than 57.1 mm.
• Select correct lug seat type for your wheels. Audi OE is often ball seat, some aftermarket use cone seat. Match the wheel, not the car.
• Dry fit one corner. Spin by hand, check lock to lock, and compress the suspension if possible.
• Torque to the factory spec from your owner’s manual. Re-torque after 50 to 100 miles.

Using the calculator effectively

• Compare Wheels from donor vs Installed on your vehicle to visualize offset and width changes.
• Use Custom wheel size to try different width and ET, then note inner change and outer change values.
• Adjust Custom tire size for section width and aspect ratio. The tool updates tire diameter. Keep the delta modest.
• Repeat per axle if your R8 is staggered. Do not copy front results to the rear without checking.

Gotchas

• Backspacing and offset must be considered together. Changing width with the same ET alters inner and outer positions.
• Spacers require longer bolts and a hub-centric design. Do not stack spacers.
• Some brake kits need specific barrel profiles. Ask the wheel maker for a caliper template.

Helpful tools

• 1/2 inch torque wrench
• Wheel hanger pin M14x1.5
• Hub-centric rings 57.1 mm ID
• Tread depth gauge

If values are missing or vary

Do not guess. Confirm with your VIN, the owner’s manual, or OEM parts catalogs. Use the calculator to test options against your verified baselines. If you cannot confirm a value, flag it as unknown and do a physical test fit before mounting tires.

Summary

The 2011 Audi R8 uses 5x112, a 57.1 mm hub, and M14 x 1.5 hardware. You have

Nick Marchenko

Automotive Expert