The 2009 Audi S8 sits at an interesting point in Audi performance history, combining full-size luxury sedan presence with the sharper character expected from the S badge. Buyers looking at one today are usually balancing modern road manners with the desire to preserve the car’s distinctive factory-era stance. This exact model uses a 265/35R20 radial tire on a 20-inch rim, so the fitment question is straightforward and the real decision centers on tire style and product character. Available choices include blackwall, redline, and raised white letter presentations across several radial series. That makes it especially important to match the tire to the car’s intended look, wheel setup, and driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Audi S8
The 2009 Audi S8 uses one primary tire size: 265/35R20, and it is a radial fitment for a 20-inch rim. The 2009 Audi S8 Base uses that same size, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which version of that size best suits the car’s appearance, wheel specification, and intended road use.
A 265/35R20 size identifies a metric radial tire with a nominal section width of 265 millimeters, a 35-series aspect ratio, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2009 Audi S8, that modern low-profile radial sizing supports the car’s performance-luxury character and keeps the fitment aligned with its large-diameter wheel package. Available choices in this size include blackwall, redline, and raised white letter sidewall treatments from Nitto, BFGoodrich, and Pro-Trac across distinct tire series. The practical choice comes down to preserving the intended stance, confirming wheel width compatibility, and selecting the visual style that best matches the car.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 2009 Audi S8 sub-models because the same primary tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it confirms that tire selection can focus on product style, wheel compatibility, and intended use rather than a size change.
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2009 Audi S8 Base
The 2009 Audi S8 Base uses the same 265/35R20 radial fitment found on the model overall. That lets the tire decision center on sidewall presentation, tire series, and wheel-width suitability instead of sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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 2009 Audi S8 Tires for Sale
Available 265/35R20 choices for the 2009 Audi S8 include radial options from Nitto, BFGoodrich, and Pro-Trac. Buyers can compare blackwall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls along with differences in tire series, rim-width specification, weight, and other product details.
These FAQs focus on 2009 Audi S8 tire size, 20-inch rim fitment, product and sidewall choices, and the checks that matter before road use or after wheel and suspension changes.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Audi S8?
The 2009 Audi S8 uses a 265/35R20 tire size. This is a radial fitment built for a 20-inch rim, and the covered 2009 Audi S8 Base model uses that same primary size.
That makes size selection fairly simple, but the job is not finished once the size matches. It is still worth confirming the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if it has aftermarket wheels, and comparing details such as rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the type of driving the car will see before choosing among the available 265/35R20 tires.
What size rim does a 2009 Audi S8 use?
The primary tire fitment for the 2009 Audi S8 uses a 20-inch rim diameter. The 265/35R20 size is built around that 20-inch wheel diameter, so any tire choice in the correct primary size must match a 20-inch rim.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Wheel width also matters, and some tires in this size include a stated rim-width range, so it is smart to verify the actual wheel dimensions on the car before selecting a tire, especially if the original wheels have been replaced or the car has been modified for appearance or performance.
Does the 2009 Audi S8 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 2009 Audi S8 Base uses the same 265/35R20 radial tire size as the model overall. There is no separate primary tire size to sort through for the covered Base configuration.
That shared fitment simplifies the search, because the decision moves from identifying the right size to choosing the right tire within that size. Once the car is confirmed as an S8 Base, the next steps are comparing sidewall appearance, checking wheel-width suitability, and making sure the overall setup still has proper clearance if wheels or suspension have been changed.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 265/35R20 tire for a 2009 Audi S8?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 265/35R20, and make sure the tire is matched to a 20-inch wheel. From there, the main differences are construction details within the radial category, sidewall presentation, tire series, and product specifications such as weight or rim-width range where those are stated.
The best choice depends on how the car is used and how it should look. A buyer focused on a clean modern presentation may prefer a blackwall tire, while a more customized appearance may point toward redline or raised white letter styling. It is also worth checking wheel dimensions and comparing product specs closely before settling on one option.
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Audi S8 tires?
The available 265/35R20 tires for the 2009 Audi S8 include blackwall, redline, and RWL sidewall styles. RWL stands for raised white letter, giving the car a more expressive performance look than a plain black sidewall.
Sidewall style does not change the primary fitment size, but it can change the car’s overall presentation quite a bit. Blackwall tends to keep the look understated, while redline and raised white letter options add more visual character. Choosing between them usually comes down to whether the car is being kept closer to a modern luxury-performance appearance or given a more personalized style.
What brands offer tires for the 2009 Audi S8?
The 2009 Audi S8 has 265/35R20 tire options from Nitto, BFGoodrich, and Pro-Trac. Those choices span multiple radial tire series, including Nitto NT555 G2, BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A, and Pro-Trac Street Pro III.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare each tire’s sidewall treatment, any stated rim-width information, and other visible product characteristics to see which option best matches the car’s wheel setup and intended use. That approach gives a clearer buying path than choosing strictly by name without checking the details of the specific tire.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Audi S8?
A period-style 2009 Audi S8 still starts with the correct 265/35R20 size, since the stance and proportions of the car depend heavily on that low-profile 20-inch fitment. From there, the most appearance-driven choices are the tire series and sidewall treatment rather than a change in basic size or construction.
A blackwall tire usually keeps the presentation closest to the restrained luxury-performance look associated with this era, while redline or raised white letter options create a more customized result. Buyers concerned with strict originality should compare the car against marque references, period photos, or build-specific documentation before using appearance details alone to guide the final tire choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2009 Audi S8?
On the 2009 Audi S8, the primary fitment is already radial, so the appearance question is less about changing construction and more about how the chosen tire presents itself on the wheel. In this case, sidewall design and tire series have a stronger visual effect than a bias-ply-versus-radial decision.
That means the car’s look can shift noticeably even while staying in the correct 265/35R20 radial size. A blackwall keeps the wheel and body lines visually dominant, while redline or raised white letter sidewalls add more emphasis at the tire itself. For a restoration-minded owner, keeping the size right is the foundation, and sidewall choice shapes the final character.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Audi S8?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 2009 Audi S8 is 265/35R20, modifications can change whether that size works the same way on a specific car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications can all influence tire clearance and overall fitment behavior.
A modified car should be checked more carefully than a stock one. Confirm the actual wheel diameter and width, look at inner and outer clearance, and turn the steering through its range if the setup has changed. Those checks matter before choosing among available tires, because the correct nominal size alone does not account for every difference in a customized setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Audi S8 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, verify that the tire size matches the car’s 265/35R20 fitment, and make sure the tires are mounted on the proper 20-inch rims. It is also important to check inflation pressure, valve condition, and the balance and seating of each tire.
A short visual inspection after installation can prevent bigger issues later. Look for uneven clearance, rubbing marks, cuts, bulges, or any sign of air loss once the car is back on the ground. A cautious test drive, followed by another quick inspection, is a smart way to confirm that the new tires and the car’s existing wheel setup are working together properly.
How often should tires on a 2009 Audi S8 be inspected?
Tires on a 2009 Audi S8 should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. A quick check for pressure loss, sidewall damage, irregular wear, and embedded debris should become part of routine ownership, especially on a performance-oriented sedan running low-profile 265/35R20 tires.
Cars that see limited use deserve just as much attention as daily drivers. Long periods of sitting can make it easier to miss aging, flat spotting, or slow air loss, so occasional close inspection is worthwhile even when mileage stays low. Checking the tires before a longer drive is particularly important, since collector-minded or low-use vehicles can hide condition issues between outings.
