The 2002 Audi S8 sits at an interesting point in the modern performance-sedan story, blending understated executive styling with the kind of all-wheel-drive capability and V8 pace that made the first-generation S8 especially appealing to enthusiasts. It is a car that rewards a tire choice matching its balance of speed, stability, and road manners. The 2002 Audi S8 uses a 245/45R18 radial tire on an 18-inch rim, so the decision is less about multiple fitments and more about choosing the right performance-oriented version of that size. Available options center on blackwall radial designs from BFGoodrich and Nitto, making condition, wheel setup, and intended road use the key considerations.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2002 Audi S8
The 2002 Audi S8 uses one primary tire size: 245/45R18 radial on an 18-inch rim. That fitment also carries across the Base sub-model, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of 245/45R18 best suits the car's wheel width, driving style, and preference for a particular performance-oriented tire series.
The 245/45R18 size uses modern metric sizing, with 245 indicating section width in millimeters, 45 identifying the aspect ratio, R showing radial construction, and 18 marking the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2002 Audi S8, that format matches the car's modern high-performance character and its 18-inch wheel package. Available choices in this size include blackwall radial tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto across several g-Force and NT555 G2 series options. The practical choice comes down to selecting a tire in the correct size that also suits the wheel width and the way the car will actually be driven.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 2002 Audi S8 sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters as a final confirmation before comparing products, wheel dimensions, and tire-series differences.
1
2002 Audi S8 Base
The 2002 Audi S8 Base uses the same 245/45R18 radial fitment as the main model listing. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing among available blackwall performance radials while confirming the actual wheel width and overall vehicle setup before installation.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2002 Audi S8 Tires for Sale
Available 245/45R18 choices for the 2002 Audi S8 focus on blackwall radial performance tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto. The product grid lets you compare different series, rim-width compatibility, load figures where stated, and other specification details within the same core size.
Common 2002 Audi S8 tire questions usually center on 245/45R18 fitment, 18-inch rim compatibility, choosing among available radial performance tires, and checking wheel, suspension, and tire condition before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2002 Audi S8?
The 2002 Audi S8 uses a 245/45R18 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model and it corresponds to an 18-inch wheel, giving the car a modern metric performance-tire format rather than an older numeric or alphanumeric size system.
Selecting the right tire still means more than matching the size code alone. Check the actual wheel diameter and wheel width on the car, especially if it has been modified over the years, then compare the available 245/45R18 products for construction details, load figures where stated, and intended road use.
What size rim does a 2002 Audi S8 use?
The 2002 Audi S8 uses an 18-inch rim with its 245/45R18 tire size. The tire size itself confirms that wheel diameter, and the available products in this fitment are all built around 18-inch rim compatibility.
Wheel diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. It is still important to confirm the wheel width actually on the car, since the available 245/45R18 tires are intended for specific rim-width ranges, and that can affect how the tire sits, clears, and performs on an S8.
Does the 2002 Audi S8 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 2002 Audi S8 Base uses the same 245/45R18 radial tire size as the main 2002 Audi S8 fitment. There is no separate primary tire size for the Base sub-model in this application.
That makes tire selection more straightforward because the choice is within one size rather than between multiple fitments. The real comparison becomes which 245/45R18 tire best matches the car's current wheels, the desired performance character, and the condition of the suspension and alignment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/45R18 tire for a 2002 Audi S8?
Start with the correct size and construction: 245/45R18 radial on an 18-inch rim. From there, compare the available tire series, the stated rim-width range, and load information where it is given, since those details help separate one performance-oriented option from another.
The 2002 Audi S8 is a fast, heavy sedan, so the right choice should match the wheel setup and the way the car is used. A regularly driven car may call for a different product emphasis than a low-mile collector example, and either one should be checked for clearance, inflation, and even tread wear before final selection.
What sidewall styles are available for 2002 Audi S8 tires?
The available tires for the 2002 Audi S8 in 245/45R18 are offered in blackwall form. That keeps the presentation clean and modern, which suits the S8's understated performance-sedan appearance and the style of the radial products available in this fitment.
Since sidewall treatment is not the main differentiator here, the more useful comparison is between tire series and specifications within the same blackwall format. Pay closer attention to wheel-width suitability, load figures where they are stated, and how the tire's intended character matches the car's use.
What brands offer tires for the 2002 Audi S8?
BFGoodrich and Nitto offer tires for the 2002 Audi S8 in the 245/45R18 size. Within that fitment, BFGoodrich appears in multiple g-Force series, while Nitto is represented by the NT555 G2, giving the buyer more than one brand and series to compare.
Brand choice should be part of the decision, but not the entire decision. It helps to compare each tire's size execution, rim-width range, load figure where shown, and overall intended use so the final selection matches the S8's wheel setup and the way the car will be driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2002 Audi S8?
A period-style approach for a 2002 Audi S8 starts with staying in the original-style fitment format: 245/45R18 radial on an 18-inch wheel. Since the available options are modern blackwall performance radials, the appearance remains appropriately restrained rather than visually over-styled.
For a more original-looking presentation, keep the wheel design and overall stance of the car in mind along with the tire size itself. Exact authenticity questions are best answered with marque-specific references and original vehicle documentation, but maintaining the proper size and overall visual proportion is the right starting point.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2002 Audi S8 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 2002 Audi S8 restoration because tire size has a strong effect on the car's stance, wheel-to-tire proportion, and overall presentation. Staying with the proper 245/45R18 radial format helps preserve the look expected from an early-2000s high-performance Audi sedan.
Fitment also affects how complete and coherent the finished car feels on the road. Even if the car wears the correct size, it is worth confirming wheel width, checking for prior suspension changes, and inspecting alignment and tire condition so the restored vehicle drives as cleanly as it looks.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2002 Audi S8?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 2002 Audi S8 even when the tire size remains 245/45R18. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, alignment changes, or body modifications can all affect how much room the tire has in normal driving and at full steering lock.
A car that still carries its original-style wheel and suspension setup is simpler to match, but any changes should be checked carefully before installing new tires. Confirm actual wheel dimensions, then inspect fender, inner-liner, and suspension clearance so the tire choice works with the car as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 2002 Audi S8 on new tires?
Before driving a 2002 Audi S8 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel size and width, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct 245/45R18 fitment. It also helps to check alignment, valve stems, and overall suspension condition before putting the car back into regular use.
A quick visual check is not enough on a performance sedan. Verify inflation pressure, look for any rubbing during steering travel, and monitor the tires for early signs of uneven wear or air loss after installation. That extra attention helps the car settle in properly on its new set.
How should 245/45R18 tires on a collector 2002 Audi S8 be maintained?
245/45R18 tires on a collector 2002 Audi S8 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful monitoring for cracking, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear. Low-mileage cars often age tires out before they wear them out, so condition matters as much as tread depth.
Good storage habits also help preserve a seldom-driven S8. Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources, then inspect the tires again before any extended drive. A collector car that sits for long periods benefits from more frequent condition checks than its mileage alone might suggest.
