Questions: What is wrong with the factory 16" wheels?
 

Why does everybody upgrade to 17" (at a significant cost). Do the wheels and tires from an A6 bolt right up to an A4 with no problems? What is the advantage of the 7 spoke "sport wheels" over the 5 spoke "non-sport" wheels from a 2.8? I have non-sport setup and am likely to buy new wheels (so I can put snows on the 15"ers)

Thanks alot for any opinions...

Mark 98.5A41.8TQM

Looks, reduced sidewall (performance), bigger brakes.

Depends on the person...
 

Some do it for lighter wheel wieght, looks, handling (larger wheel base and stiffer side wall), fitting for bigger brakes, or a combo of these things.

No real difference between 16" 5-spoke and 16" 7-spoke alloys....
 

....both are about the same weight and the quality on both is equal (IMHO). So between those two wheels, it boils down to preference on looks.

Nothings wrong with 'em. With the exception of not being able to get some of the big brake kits in
 

they can perform as good or better than the 17" ones at less money and a greater margine of safety from wheel damage.

A lot of folks here like the 16" 5 spoke. They are more attractive than many aftermarkets IMO.

Also: they're a little pricey
 

I'm in the same boat, upgrading a 1.8T non-sport. (I did the suspension 2 years ago.) For me, 16" wheels and summer tires will be enough of an improvement in looks and handling and better able to withstand Boston potholes. I'll keep the 15's for the winter.

But the Audi OEM wheels list for $240 each ($210 at Clair). I was seriously considering the Audi 16" accessory wheel called Tango; you might want to look at that, if $210 is not too high. It's a 6-spoker, and I think it looks a lot better than the 5- or 7- or even the newer 10-spoke wheels.

But I decided on a less expensive option: 16" ATP S5 ($139 at Tire Rack). It looks something like the 17" Avus wheel (S4).

Try again. About 4 lbs difference in weigth. 38lbs (plus tire) for 7 spoke, 43lbs for 5 spoke.

not too bad used though
 

Lots of folks upgrading their 16" to 17 or bigger and selling the 16"s. Personally, I really like the look of the 16s even though 17 is probably a better fit for the A4.

That's odd.....Gary @ Ronal posted weights a few years ago and both wheels were between 20-21 lbs.
 

I'll have to weigh mine (I have both styles of 16" rims) next time I have the tires off of them.