Just sharing some recent pictures we took of Alex’s B6 A4 1.8T Quattro since he stopped by for a visit (Thanks for the chocolates!!). This K04-equipped 1.8T has a menacing look with it’s black-on-black appearance completed with black powder-coated Hartmann Forged Split-7 Wheels, now discontinued.

The Hartmann Forged Split-7 Wheels are 19×8 with an aggressive 32mm offset which brings the wheels closer to the fender’s edge. He’s got Dunlop Direzza DZ-101 tires wrapping the wheels in a 245/35-19. Now we just need to get him into (at least) a set of STaSIS Streetsports!

An old friend stopped by to show off his new car, quite the step-up from a VW Mk5 Jetta GLI. I was happy for him but so envious at the same time!! Already sporting a custom cat-back from Performance Exhaust in Algona, WA this BMW e92 M3 rumbles like no other V8 on the Seattle streets!

I’ll let the car speak for itself.

It’s certainly not often we would expect a VW Eos to come through. We’ve actually chipped this particular Eos 2.0T with APR software last Fall so it was good to see it back. But top it off with the fact the couple who owns this Eos found a set of our Hartmann Mesh 305s in the classifieds to throw on the car made this quite the photo opportunity!

I hear suspension is planned for the car which will really improve the over-all stance as it sits just above the 19×8.5 Hartmann Mesh 305 Wheels. Perhaps we’ll get that chance this Spring.

… From picking up a new set of Hartmann Wheels!

I called Ryan, our first VW Mk5 2.0T TSI customer as it was time to update his APR-tuned ECU with a stock file that was recently released by APR. Since the ECU upgrade and H&R suspension install that was completed this last Fall, Ryan has been itching to do something new to the GTI and he sure wasn’t going to let harsh winter conditions stop him! He had been eying the Hartmann Evolution R5 Wheels for quite some time, and after a few seconds of holding the wheels up to his car yesterday, he made an appointment for install this morning.

Brand new TPM Sensors ($225 per set with any Hartmann Wheel purchase!) and all-season Falken 912s in a 225/40-18 were mounted and balanced, then thrown on the car within an hour.  The transformation was more than enough to put a smile on Ryan’s face and satisfy the “mod-bug” he caught.  We both knew the bronze finish on the Evolution R5s would set the car off just right.

In the coming months, we expect Ryan back as he has expressed interest in APR’s RSC turbo-back exhaust system. We also hear a StopTech BBK might also be planned later to fill the blank space now left behind the open-face design of the Evolution R5s. We’ll of course keep you posted with the results.

It was a sad day when we learned the Mesh 305s were no longer going to be available. Bill (the owner) wasn’t going to give up though and after quite some time, we were able to source the original mold and get it to our current manufacturer for production.

… And now, back from the dead!!

Hartmann Mesh 305 Wheel:
* 19×8.5, 48mm offset - Sale price: $260.00 ea.

I’ve got the following wheels enroute… They are the perfect “winter wheel” set-up for your RS4, RS6, All-Road, C5 4.2L A6, or S6. These wheels are due in early next week. I do not expect them to last very long and I’m taking pre-orders from anyone who wants in on these.

***Quantities are LIMITED so act FAST!!***

Hartmann RS6-172 Wheel:
* 18×7.5, 20mm offset - Sale Price: $199 ea.

And we’ve found the absolute last of the following: (3 sets)

Hartmann RS4-131 Wheel:
* 18×8.5, 20mm offset - Sale Price: $250 ea.

When Audi brought us the 2009 (B8) Audi A4, they left us a little surprise.  Rather than having the usual 57.1mm center bore we were accustomed to, the new Audi wheel hub required a wheel with a 66.6mm center bore - a size we normally see on Mercedes Benz wheels!  We’re not quite sure what brought the change, nevertheless we had to make some adjustments in the Hartmann Wheel line-up to make sure enough wheel options were going to be available for our new Audi customers.

Fortunately we already had a selection of Mercedes-fitment wheels in our inventory and considering MB shares the same bolt pattern with Audi, we were relieved to have immediate access to wheels for the new Audi, especially with winter already arriving in many parts of the country.

The styles below would certainly be unique for an Audi, but the prices per set will make it difficult for you to pass up…

The following are ALL $509 a set!!!*

Style # 051 17×7.5″ ET35

Style # 124 17×8.0″ ET37

Style # 126 17×8.0″ ET35

Style # 140 18×8.5″ ET35
Style # 140 19×8.5″ ET35

Style # 144 18×8.5″ ET35

Style # 155 18×8.5″ ET35

Style # 196 17×8.5″ ET34:

Style # 283 17×8.5″ ET38
Style # 283 18×8.5″ ET38

* shipping not included in $509 price for the set of wheels.

We can also supply you with a set of Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors with your wheel purchase - $225/set!!

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We have also had the opportunity to make some immediate changes to the current Audi-fitment, Hartmann Wheel line-up for those who are concerned with keeping an Audi-looking wheel on their new A4.  The following Audi-fitment Hartmann Wheels have the proper 66.6mm center bore and are hubcentric:

Hartmann A-R8 Wheel:
* 18×8, 32mm offset - List price: $265.00 ea.
* 19×8.5, 38mm offset - List price: $295.00 ea.

Hartmann RS4-252B Wheel:
* 18×8, 32mm offset - List price: $260.00 ea.
* 19×8.5, 38mm offset - List price: $285.00 ea.

Hartmann S5-209 Wheel:
* 19×8.5, 38mm offset - List price: $295.00 ea.

Thumbnail images above direct you to these wheels in our B8 A4 category. Feel free to click on them for further wheel information. Orders can be placed online or by phone (1-877-722-4886).

Feel free to post up or contact us directly if you have any questions. We hope to have on-car pictures soon.

Mark disliked the fact the Oettinger RE Wheels on his Audi S4 showed-off too much of the blank brake discs behind them. When the opportunity presented itself, Mark chose StopTech’s Stage 2 Brake Kit, consisting of OE-sized drilled rotors, PosiQuiet Brake Semi Metallic Pads, and stainless-steel braided brake lines.

Once installation was complete, it was easy to see the aesthetic difference the new brake discs made. Better wet and dry braking performance can be expected thanks to the cross-drilling of the rotors and brake feel is greatly improved with the help of the stainless-steel lines.

APR has announced availability of select B7 Audi A4 Stage 3 Turbo Kits for the 2.0T FSI, model years 2005.5-2006 US Specification Only!

Dyno graphs provided by APR were generated in-house or at an independent testing facility. The Engine Power numbers are derived from multiple runs on their in-house Dynapack All-Wheel Drive Dynamometer averaged to mean values to include the highest and lowest power achievement.

The following two graphs were generated on a Dynojet All Wheel Drive Dynamometer at an independent tuner shop for actual wheel power.

APR’s Stage 3 produces 375hp and 352 lb ft of torque at 20psi of turbocharger pressure. All oem safety features are left intact and all oem or teir 1 supplier stress tolerances are met or exceeded. Each component included in the APR Stage 3 is designed for the rated operating conditions produced by the Stage 3 and will provide many of years of reliable operation and enjoyment.

APR’s Stage 3 Turbocharger System includes every nut, bolt and gasket necessary to the installation. Boost delivery and intake piping and hoses are cast aluminum or wire reinforced multi-ply silicon designed specifically to the application.

APR Stage 3: $5799
APR Stage 3: $6399 (with required high pressure fuel pump)

• APR recommends a front mounted intercooler, performance exhaust system and Carbonio Carbon Fiber Airbox for best results.
• Each Stage 3 will include a new plate for Carbonio’s Carbon Fiber Airbox for fitment of the Stage 3 MAF housing and may not mate to the oem airbox or other aftermarket intake systems.
• APR recommends an upgraded clutch for manual transmission vehicles and makes no claims to the durability of CVT and Tiptronic transmissions when used in conjunction with the Stage 3. APR’s Stage 3 exceeds the OEM ratings for power handling capabilities and it is at the purchasers beware to choose to install an APR Stage 3 on a vehicle which is not equipped with an upgraded transmission.
• APR is currently developing a front mounted intercooler solution to offer as a standalone product and to complement the Stage 3. Projected release is February of 2009. Any aftermarket intercooler currently offered seems of sufficient capability to work in conjunction with the Stage 3 and if the intercooler fits with a stock turbocharger compressor exit hose it will work with the Stage 3. If the competitor’s intercooler replaces the oem turbocharger compressor exit hose, fitment may or may not be possible.
• The Stage 3 is offered with or without a high pressure fuel pump but is required for operation. Some clients may have previously purchased the pump as a standalone product thus the pricing offer without the pump.
• The ecu upgrade is accomplished and available for all 2005.5-2006 model year US Specification B7 A4 2.0T FSI’s. 2007+ model year B7 A4’s will be accomplished in the next 3-6 weeks. European Spec availability will occur in first or second quarter of 2009.
• The Stage 3 is not equipped with a catalyst and includes a testpipe to connect to any exhaust system that is 2.5” in diameter and mates to the oem catalyst pipe.