A4 Robin

I am currently running the stcok Pirelli P6 tires I got with my 2009 A4 and was thinking about 19" tires in the spring once these need to be replaced. I'm going to change my wheels anyway but other than that what are some tjoughts on the 18's vs the 19's.

audi8k

I'm happy with 18" (245/40) on my summer wheels. I choose 17" (225/50) for the winter. I notice that the summer wheels makes some more road noise. They are stiff enough for me (on a quattro 3.2 with ADS-dynamic steering & regulated sport chassis).

In my view going to 19" has only drawbacks:
- more expensive tires
- risk of more road noise
- don't need it stiffer
- less margin for curb damage

(Mine came with Bridgestone summer tires and noise and handling might depend as much on the tire model as on the tire size.)

ItsDubC

My sport pkg A4 came w/ 245/40/18 Michelin PS2s, which if you read reviews are pretty nice tires. When I got my 19s, I wrapped them in 245/35/19 Hankook Ventus V12 evos, whose purchase I based on reading a lot of reviews as well.

The new tires were actually cheaper than 245/40/18 PS2s, any change in road noise was unobservable, wet and dry traction is still great, and the ride is't even remotely as harsh as I thought moving up to 19s would make it (and I attribute that to the tire as well). Overall, I'm happy w/ the Hankooks.

Bayman48

I also switched from the stock sport package 18's to 19's, to me the ride is a little rougher but after driving on the 19's for over half a year, its unnoticeable and I cant even remember the difference. I could not live with the 18's did not like their appearance, so moving to 19's made sense to me, also as many have said, the 19's appear to fit the b8 body better, but i have a bigger offset on my 19's so it sits better as well, not as tucked in as the sport package 18's were. I say go for it, tires are more expensive, but is it really that much more than the 18's?