Issue #1 - Tire/wheel upgrade for A4 Avant

[Ti Kan]

ricematthews writes:
> I am considering the possibility of upsizing the rubber and possibly the
> wheels on the A4 Avant.  I currently have the 7 spoke sport wheels with
> 205/55/16 tires.  The math tells me that acceptable alternatives (based on
> wheel diameter) would be 225/50/16 and 225/45/17.  From what I have heard, I
> think the 225's should fit.  I'm sure many out there have used one or the
> other of these sizes on their A4.  Is there any rubbing with the 225's?

The 225/50-16 will also fit fine on your stock wheels.

If you use 17" wheels of proper offset, the 225/45-17 should fit fine.
In fact, that is the stock size on late 2001 A4 quattros with the
"quattro sport" package, as well as on all S4s.

> Does anybody have other pros or cons about the 16 vs. 17 inch.  I tend to
> deal with more bumpy roads than many (it's a Pennsylvania thing).  Will the
> 17's bend really easily (I realize that this depends partly on wheel brand
> too)?

The 17s are going to ride a bit harder than the 16s, but it will also
give crisper turn-in and provide better "feel".  As for bending the wheel,
it depends pretty much all on the wheel you choose and your road conditions.
It's hard to generalize.

-Ti
01 S4 2.7 biturbo quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
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