username4a

I bought a Premium Plus 45 TFSI A4 with 19" wheels and sports suspension. Now I'm regretting it.

I cringe every time I go over a bump, afraid that I'm going to bend the rim. Yesterday I slowed to about 1 mph to cross a train track. In the rearview I saw a truck go over the track without even slowing down. There I was, in a new 50K vehicle, jealous of an old truck.

But then I have to consider: Audi must know what they are doing, right? Of the seven 45 TFSI A4s available in my area at the time I purchased (two months ago), six had 19" wheels. So this is not a rare thing, the 19". A high-end German auto maker is not shipping out 90% of their 45 TFSI's with easily ruined wheels, right?

jim2560

Right. Curb rash is more of a concern given the low height of the rubber, but unless you live in a place with huge potholes, damage should not be a problem. Slowing to 1 mph for each railroad crossing may get to test your Rear Pre-sense more than it helps the tires and wheels.

IMYM

I myself have been wondering the same thing as well. It wasnt that long ago that most sport cars come with 14" wheels. While i understand the performance advantage, I really prefer smaller rims with taller tires for the reasons you mentioned.

DadAudi

Shoot my one vehicle has 19” wheels and that thing hits major potholes with no issues. I also believe a lot of it has to do with the quality of the tires that are on it….

BeezySBaby

Here's the thing with midwest potholes -- they honestly don't give a **** what size/dimension you're running, they're going to try and take it out regardless. For what it's worth, I'm running 19" wheels on H&R Coils lowered to within 1/8" of the bottom, in downtown Minneapolis, with very little issue whatsoever. Buy proper tires (michelin, continental, etc.) and they should have plenty of sidewall strength/beading that you won't have much if any issues.

A4Audi4Fun

and properly inflated tires - note the values on the sticker by the drivers door are assuming max load - I found those far too high; the owners manual provides better recommended values for typical car loadings.

DadAudi

Proper tires are KEY….

SCarGuy

You get the features that suits your usage. How many times do you go over those train tracks? Even on my SUV, I don't careen over tracks or anything else ***** nilly. Because I value what I spent all this money on, and I'm careful. If it worries you that much, smaller wheels with a taller tire are always an option

SCarGuy

Curb rash has nothing to do with the sidewall height. The lower profile tires actually are often better at preventing curb rash, because many have a special reinforcement rib that protrudes beyond the lip of the wheel

A4Driver

I agree with you. When I was going to purchase my previous 2009 A4, I took a test drive in an A4 that had 19" wheels. Every little ripple in the road was transmitted to my spine. I decided then and there that I would go no larger than 18" wheels. Even then, I bent 4 aftermarket 18" wheels driving over a wide pothole on the highway.
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