In a message dated 3/22/05 9:46:32 AM Eastern Standard Time,
vanagon-rcampbell@USA.NET writes:

> In an all factory config (original alloys, before my recent change out),
> at the Solid Waste Authority in Palm Beach County, my van weighed in at 3800
> pounds on the scale as I left the dump.  Subtracting my 210 pounds and you
> have a '91 Carat weighing around 3600.  I do not recall the amount of fuel
> in
> it at that time.....
>
>

i just checked on the quattro list..  the empty weight for a Audi turbo
Quattro, late 80's, is 3600 lbs.. curb weight (no cargo or passengers).  GVWR is
4200 for my  Audi turbo nonQ, so for a Q is would be more, say around 4500 as
the diffs and driveshaft of a Q weigh more.

so here you have a '91 Vanagon carat that weighs 3600 with no load or
passengers
and you have a ('86-'91) audi quattro that weighs 3600 with no load or
passengers.

numbers dont lie..

the big audis use the 5x112 bolt pattern.. the late 80's type 44's
(5000TQ/200TQ) are very heavy cars. So are the A6, and V8/A8, even heavier.  i have used
just about every Audi wheel on a vanagon (some of my pics are on BenT's wheel
page) and never had an issue with damaging a wheel.   in fact, the "Fuchs"
wheels  that were offered as an option on the '86-'88 audi 5000TQ are
Forged...and they use them for UrQ rally cars..forged wheels are stronger than any steel
or aluminum cast wheel that was ever offered on the vanagon.   the V8/ A8
wheels are a 38mm offset and are good choices too.
i did not give the curb unladen weight for a Audi V8 or A8, but it is
SUBSTANTIALLY heavier than the 5000/200.   Listmember Hans Achter has 1990 Audi V8
wheels on his syncro.
as with any audi wheels, they are a direct bolt on for the syncro with no
mods, but you will need to machine the centers and if you are using them on a
2wd. All audi wheels have different offsets..most are 45mm but the heavier V8
audis use a lower offset 35-38mm.

the vanagon stock alloys will bend, just like any other wheel.  i have a pic
of a bent carat alloy if anyone wants to see.

more info can be found on Bens wheel page.

chris