Z911

I am a regular (Z356) over the Rennlist Porsche forum and have some posting experience with the R8 Talk Forum. I was a member here as z356 in 2004, but need to get moderators to let me access my old name instead of this newer Z911 handle.

I am replacing a MY2011 R8 v8 manual Spyder with a MY2016 RS7, which I am in the process of finalizing specs in next few days. I am ordering the 'RS7 Dynamic Package' with 'Dynamic Ride Control' (DRC). My question revolves around wheel/tire options. Some believe that the standard 20" wheels with 275/35 tires might be a good combination with DRC to mitigate for the 'sportier' ride of that suspension. For example, I have seen a number of US dealers spec for inventory the 'Dynamic Ride Control' option their '16 RS7s with the standard 20" wheels (which comes w. higher sidewalls 275/35 tires), perhaps to mitigate for the stiffer ride of 'DRC'. And the RS7's optional 21" wheels & tires are quite heavy at a reported 65+pounds! But for me it's hard to give up the better-looking optional 21" wheels which are only a $1000 option in the US (quite a good deal for that wheel/tire size upgrade!) and which will probably have better re-sale value for the car in the future.

Is the 21" Optional wheels with 275/30 profile tires too unforgiving with the various modes of the DRC suspension on US roads (California/Oregon/Nevada)? Would anyone who has taken delivery of a DRC-optioned RS7 please state their choice of wheel size (standard 20" vs optional 21") and comment on their experience with their wheel/tire choice on their car? If you had to order all over again, which wheel/tire size you recommend? My objective is to take advantage of the sportier DRC on this new '16 RS7. But if I need to compromise somewhere to live with that stiffer suspension, I might be tempted to do it by ordering the standard 20" wheels with 275/35 higher profile tires rather than to switch to the standard 'air suspension'! But I would like to hear feedback from those actual owners of DRC-optioned RS7s. Thank you.

I have some experience with an earlier version of Audi's DRC, as I owned a new MY2003 RS6 back in its day. But that car had 18 rims with 255/40 tires & I thought of that DRC-equipped vehicle as perfectly acceptable in ride quality!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel

chucky0731

I have a 2016 RS7, 21" wheel + DRC....No issues and loving it. The air suspension is just too soft and floaty for me, and also tilt too much when making sharp turns. The DRC is just right in comfort mode. A little harsh when in dynamic. I live in Los Angeles.

bhoov14

I have a 2016 RS7 with DRC and the 21" wheels. Based on your previous cars, I don't think the 21" wheels are an issue w DRC. Very comfortable ride in comfort mode on bumpy roads, more road feel in dynamic mode. It comes down to which wheels that you prefer, or if you'll use the 20" as a snow/winter set. Great to see you on here, you have had very insightful comments on the R8 board as well as Rennlist.

Z911

Gentlemen: I appreciate your responses. And I do thank you bhoov14 for your welcoming comment!

I am going with the 'Dynamic Package' & the 21" optional wheels/tires as it now stands. I am also monitoring the pending announcement of pricing & content for the US version of the new 'Performance' model RS7 expected at the upcoming LA Auto Show in a few week's time. I think this model will be too expensive to interest me away from my present (base) RS7 model specs...but we will wait & see!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
.

RCCurtis

The AudiUSA website shows a 275/35-21 wheel/tire option for the RS7 Performance. Might be a website error because no such option shows on Audi.de. Maybe they'll know at the LA Auto Show.

pmarin

The USA website has 275/30 21 as the tire size, same as regular RS7. There is 275/35 20 option for the standard rs7

RCCurtis

I checked again. Yes, there is a 275/35 20 for the regular RS7, but for the RS7 Performance, there are no 20" wheels offered (probably because the front ceramic disks are 16.5"). One of the wheel options is 275/35 21. Here it is copied from the AudiUSA website:

21" 5-double-arm design wheels (High Gloss Black finish) with 275/35 summer performance tires

I'm going to the LA Auto Show on Monday. Hopefully I'll find somebody who knows for sure. It's an ideal solution but I don't know what they do about ride height and speedometer etc.