[Biturbos4] Winter wheels

Thu Nov 8 07:02:03 PST 2012

Back to winter tires:
Assuming identical tires (compound, features, etc.), narrower tires are
better on ice and snow, since PSI onto the surface to "bite" is critical.
This means ice, snow, hardpack.... but not wet or dry pavement.  A wider
tire has more surface area and therefore less PSI onto the surface.  This
is why desert tires (designed to float on top of the sand dunes) are wide.

The minus one or minus two concept is simple- go with a smaller diameter
rim (the minus) and a narrower width, but taller sidewall tire to match
outside circumference to baseline, which means speedometer will be correct,
etc.

A site which I've used for years provides the graphics:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

It's worth noting that every manufacturer has slightly different specs...
mostly related to tread block design and height.  In other words, one
manufacturer's 245/50-17 tire isn't exactly the same height or
circumference than another manufacturer's tire, despite being the "same
size."  So (very) close is good enough.  =)

Mark Rosenkrantz
On Thu, Nov 8, 2012 at 9:38 AM, Grant Lenahan <glenahan at vfemail.net> wrote:

> 215/55-16
> On my c5 I run 225/55-16
>
> Sent from my phone -- please forgive my typos!
>
> On Nov 8, 2012, at 2:17 PM, "John Koenig" <koenigj at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> >
> > Oversize in what dimension(s)?
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Grant Lenahan [mailto:glenahan at vfemail.net]
> > Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 1:44 AM
> > To: John Koenig
> > Cc: <biturbos4 at www.audifans.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Winter wheels
> >
> >
> > A slight oversize tire helps immensely
> >
> > Grant
> >
> > Sent from my phone -- please forgive my typos!
> >
> > On Nov 7, 2012, at 8:23 PM, "John Koenig" <koenigj at comcast.net> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> I've had the Momos and the AT Italias -- none of them are round anymore.
> >>
> >> The narrower section width of a 16" tire of the OE-equivalant overall
> >> diameter is a great trick.
> >> Check out the tires used on ice/snow set-ups for rally cars.
> >>
> >> ~John
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: biturbos4-bounces at www.audifans.com
> >> [mailto:biturbos4-bounces at www.audifans.com]On Behalf Of Henry Nisiewicz
> >> Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 11:11 AM
> >> To: Mark Rosenkrantz; Richard van der Hoff
> >> Cc: biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> >> Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Winter wheels
> >>
> >>
> >> When I purchased my 2001 S4 sedan in 2001, I went to Tire Rack and got a
> >> set of AT Italia S5 16 x 7's with 205/55-HR16 Michelin Pilot Alpins.
>  The
> >> AT Italia's were one of only two or three wheels at that time that
> cleared
> >> the S-4's OEM front brakes.  Most likely they're no longer available,
> but
> >> the folks at Tire Rack should be able to come up with some alternatives.
> >>
> >> The advantage of 16's over 17's for winter is of course the taller
> > sidewall
> >> and the narrower tread with the about the same load rating.  I've been
> >> participating in the Audi Club's winter ice driving schools for many
> years
> >> and have found this arrangement very satisfactory.
> >>
> >> Hank (in Wisconsin)
> >>
> >>
> >>> [Original Message]
> >>> From: Mark Rosenkrantz <speedracer.mark at gmail.com>
> >>> To: Richard van der Hoff <richard at sw1v.org>
> >>> Cc: biturbos4 at www.audifans.com <biturbos4 at www.audifans.com>
> >>> Date: 11/7/2012 9:48:55 AM
> >>> Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Winter wheels
> >>>
> >>> There were a few, really few 16" rims that would fit a B5S4... But they
> >> may be no longer made.  Anything newer, you're at 17" for sure.
>  TireRack
> >> might have some alloy rims well under $150 each... A good investment.
> > With
> >> my wholesale account I get a decent discount on rims, but I can't drop
> >> ship... So unless you're near Binghamton, NY you could try to find
> someone
> >> local that deals with them.  Avoid the steelies... They just look awful
> > and
> >> are likely heavier and even more prone to salt corrosion.
> >>>
> >>> Mark Rosenkrantz
> >>> Typos sent from my iPad
> >>>
> >>> On Nov 7, 2012, at 9:45 AM, Richard van der Hoff <richard at sw1v.org>
> > wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Well, (a) the tyres are more expensive, and (b) I can't find any steel
> >> 17s, so the wheels are /much/ more expensive.
> >>>>
> >>>> On 07/11/2012 14:36, Shaun Blair wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> what is wrong with 17'S ....
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2012 14:08:22 +0000
> >>>>>> From: quattro at rvanderhoff.org.uk
> >>>>>> To: biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> >>>>>> Subject: [Biturbos4] Winter wheels
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Hi guys,
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> It's well past time I bought a set of winter tyres. I've been
> thinking
> >>>>>> about getting a second set of rims to go with them, but that only
> >> really
> >>>>>> seems worthwhile if I can get some 16" steel ones to fit.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> So, I know that a lot of 16" wheels won't fit over the B5 S4 brakes
> -
> >>>>>> does any body have any experience with ones that do?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Thanks
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Richard
> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>> Biturbos4 mailing list
> >>>>>> Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> >>>>>> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
> >>>>>
> >>>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
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> >>
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