spicedparrot

So..I have the 20" summer tires/wheels that came with the Black Optic package. Thinking in advance...I have questions about winter tires.

I know many recommend getting a different size. What size would you recommend for this vehicle? And if I get say, 18" rims for winter is that going to affect how any of my guages read. Seems to me when I was a kid if you put on different size tires it changed the accuracy of your speedometer.

Also, I'm assuming TireRack.com is more than sufficient? I think I can manage changing 4 tires on my own. ;-)

gk1

I don't think 18" fit...there may be a few exceptions...you would have to go 19" minimum. As long as the total diameter (Wheel + tire) is the same or close to the stock setup the gauges will be fine. TireRack will advise the most appropriate size for your combination on their site.

stillwaterS6

I ordered 19" VMRs and they didn't clear the caliper. You need the inside diameter.

No, I don't recall what it was. Ended up going 19" audi wheel and tire package.

eric strauss

Congrats on the new car! 18's are a tricky fit, most wheels won't do it as they can interfere with caliper clearance. The concern about the gauges, etc. is a non-issue as the height of the tire and wheel combo will remain the same, as the aspect ratio of the tire increases with decreasing wheel diameter...

255/35-20 = same height as 255/40-19, etc.

A 19" package would be good. I have had consistently good results from The Tire Rack (11 sets of tires/wheels, so far). The Blizzak LM's and The Michelin Alpin (sic) have been my favorite. They are true Severe Service snow tires (hence the snowflake and mountain stamp on the sidewall), but work well on multi-surfaces such as ice.

If you order your winter set now, they may be having overstock sales from last winter.

Good luck and happy motoring

Eric

djsiry

does anyone just swap the tires for the winter or is that ill advised.

In the past I have bought a set of winter tires mounted on steel rims for my golf but that's obviously not going to fly for an S6.

The full wheel and tire set will be pricey and the car is a lease so they are throw away.

If people do tires only are there places that will store your summer tires for the winter?

stillwaterS6

Just tires is tough because your going to the tire shop twice a year for mounting. Whereas you can swap by yourself and not put gross tires inside the car.

You can always craigslist then when you're done. Not 100% throw away.

I built a small 2x4 rack and lag bolted it to the wall in my garage. $20 max and it gets them up high.

Also, in Minnesota you can think winter is over, swap and then get snow in May. 20 lug bolts is easier to deal with than getting to the shop for mounting.

Silent Drone

I do this with my OEM 20s. I run summer performance tires in the summer and Blizzaks in the winter. Its not a problem at all. I'd rather not mess with changing the wheels out myself even though its not difficult. I don't own a quality jack and I don't want to go and buy one. I usually get the tires at the dealer because they will match the local discount tire prices. The dealer will also store them but that costs around $120/yr so I opt to just take them home and store them in my garage. I think our local discount tire will store them for a fee also if you ask. I don't have any need for smaller rims in the winter. I live in SLC for reference.

tenspeed

There are several advantages to having a dedicated set of wheels for snow tires.

First, get the smallest diameter rims that fit over the calipers. The tires are less expensive and the sidewalls are larger for potholes.

Second, winter salts and grit will eat up the finish.

Third, you are more likely to plow into a curb and damage a wheel when your driving on snow and ice.

Fourth, you stand a chance of damaging the rim or tire every time you put it on a tire machine.

You can find new aftermarket and used OEM rims to use for snow tires. Try Tire Rack, Craig's list and eBay. Find something damaged and PlastiDip it.

Here's a link from the S6 section on snow tires and wheels - OEM Wheels Plus Replica Winter Wheel Review - AudiWorld Forums

Deazy

I found some a couple of years ago from oemwheelsplus. They are 19" and fit but just barely. They were inexpensive so i was a bit concerned about quality but they've gone through a couple of winters and have been fine. They were around $700 if memory serves me correctly. I am running nokian hakka R2's which are pricey but amazing. Overkill for most but it depends where you live.

wilburhaines

I'm spending so much damn money on this car I'm reluctant to cheap out on the wheels and tires, and the idea of driving over 100 mph on Chinese replicas gives me the *******, though I realize they're probably just fine. My old school fuddy-duddy instincts demand that a pedigreed German performance car should have pedigreed German performance wheels. So I'll spring 1500-2000 for a set of BBS.

But then I deal with mild winter conditions, with very little snow driving and that under pretty lightweight conditions, so my winter wheels won't get banged up or salt damaged and nice wheels will stay nice, particularly because I will Opticoat them to negate the legendary S6 brake dust mess. I'm compelled to get a winter setup due to the summer P Zeros' 45 degree minimum ambient temp tolerance (nelow that they are prone to compound cracking specifically excluded by the warranty, see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=P+Zero+Nero ). I do a lot of sub 45 degree dry and wet driving in the winter, and do infrequently need to bluff my way past chain controls, so it's winter tires or park it.

From all the research I've done it appears that the Blizzak is THE badass in the snow, and the Alpin a stellar all-around tire with dry and wet performance that surpasses that of many summer "performance" tires. Because my snow needs are so modest I'm going with the Alpin.

Tire Rack are excellent people to work with. The fitment for this car with its massive front calipers is very tricky. they test fit what they sell and know what will fit an S6, so you can trust their configurator and back that up by calling their specialists if you wish. If they SAY it will fit they will make things right if it doesn't. Some guy on eBay, not so much.

Tire Rack also sells fairly inexpensive storage covers so you and your car are not dealing with filthy tires on your biannual trip to have them swapped.