20" wheel in winter?
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Bratislava, Slovakia
20" wheel in winter?
Hey guys,
I just bought an a7 and wanted to ask for opinion regarding the rims and tires. Currently, I have the 20" rims summer tires (265/35), but I'm wondering if I should buy some smaller rims (18", 265/45) for the winter or if I can stay on the 20" and just change the tires for winter ones, once the winter comes? is it safe/comfortable to ride during winter on such big wheels? I live in central Europe and we have like month or two with snow, roughly 30cm.
thanks for the imputs
I just bought an a7 and wanted to ask for opinion regarding the rims and tires. Currently, I have the 20" rims summer tires (265/35), but I'm wondering if I should buy some smaller rims (18", 265/45) for the winter or if I can stay on the 20" and just change the tires for winter ones, once the winter comes? is it safe/comfortable to ride during winter on such big wheels? I live in central Europe and we have like month or two with snow, roughly 30cm.
thanks for the imputs
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 23
From: Southeast Michigan
I am buying a set of 19 inch rims and putting 255/40R19 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32 during the winter time here in Michigan, USA. I currently have 20 inches with all seasons but we get a lot of snow. I rather not ruin my nice 20 inch rims and bend them in winter time with the bad roads and pot holes. Going doing to 19 is the best size with good enough thread thickness for the roads here and also in Europe. 18 inch will be too small and weird for the car with the thicker tires. Our 2014 A6 with 20 inch sports package did really well with the 19 inch rims and snow tires in 10 inch of snow in Chicago. It was a snowmobile and did not slide and or get stuck much.
BTW, summer tires suck at any temperature below 40 degrees F or 4 degrees celsius and below. They ride harsh, wear faster, and slip and loose even the slightest grip in cold rain or sleet. They are like hockey pucks pun intended in the snow. I would protect my investment and myself and get dedicated winter wheels and tires. Check out Hartmann Wheels - Audi Wheels, stock replicas - hartmannwheels.com for the best fitment for your A7. They should be able to ship them to europe. These rims fit wonderfully on my A8 and A6 and are hub centric and extremely high quality/durable. None of them had been bent in years here.
BTW, summer tires suck at any temperature below 40 degrees F or 4 degrees celsius and below. They ride harsh, wear faster, and slip and loose even the slightest grip in cold rain or sleet. They are like hockey pucks pun intended in the snow. I would protect my investment and myself and get dedicated winter wheels and tires. Check out Hartmann Wheels - Audi Wheels, stock replicas - hartmannwheels.com for the best fitment for your A7. They should be able to ship them to europe. These rims fit wonderfully on my A8 and A6 and are hub centric and extremely high quality/durable. None of them had been bent in years here.
Last edited by Baloo588; Jul 9, 2015 at 03:26 AM.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 207
Likes: 4
From: between coasts
Ahoj! 20" wheels nejsou spatni v Chicago. 20" wheels weren't bad for last year's Chicago winter. I have Conti DWS all season rubber. You should be fine as long as you're not driving the Tatras as a daily commute! Pozdravi
AudiWorld Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 7
From: Denver
I use 20" summer and 19" summer. Not a lot of choice for 19" HP winter. Lots of 18" but could not bring myself to use 18 on the A7 - plus i am using the stock 19" rims for the winter shoes.
Be aware you can and most likely will want to use an equivalent tire sizes for snow/winter, instead of just looking at the stock 19 OEM size. 245/40 or 245/45-19 vs 255/40-19. Many prefer a slight narrower tire for winter for more purchase in snow. And if you go from stock 19 profile to a 19 equivalent with slightly higher profile, you have less risk of damage from potholes, sliding into a curb (or Kerb for our British friends)
PS: I use 275/35-20 for UHP summer dedicated tires and love them - 1/3 price than 265-35s
Be aware you can and most likely will want to use an equivalent tire sizes for snow/winter, instead of just looking at the stock 19 OEM size. 245/40 or 245/45-19 vs 255/40-19. Many prefer a slight narrower tire for winter for more purchase in snow. And if you go from stock 19 profile to a 19 equivalent with slightly higher profile, you have less risk of damage from potholes, sliding into a curb (or Kerb for our British friends)
PS: I use 275/35-20 for UHP summer dedicated tires and love them - 1/3 price than 265-35s
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 23
From: Southeast Michigan
I use 20" summer and 19" summer. Not a lot of choice for 19" HP winter. Lots of 18" but could not bring myself to use 18 on the A7 - plus i am using the stock 19" rims for the winter shoes.
Be aware you can and most likely will want to use an equivalent tire sizes for snow/winter, instead of just looking at the stock 19 OEM size. 245/40 or 245/45-19 vs 255/40-19. Many prefer a slight narrower tire for winter for more purchase in snow. And if you go from stock 19 profile to a 19 equivalent with slightly higher profile, you have less risk of damage from potholes, sliding into a curb (or Kerb for our British friends)
PS: I use 275/35-20 for UHP summer dedicated tires and love them - 1/3 price than 265-35s
Be aware you can and most likely will want to use an equivalent tire sizes for snow/winter, instead of just looking at the stock 19 OEM size. 245/40 or 245/45-19 vs 255/40-19. Many prefer a slight narrower tire for winter for more purchase in snow. And if you go from stock 19 profile to a 19 equivalent with slightly higher profile, you have less risk of damage from potholes, sliding into a curb (or Kerb for our British friends)
PS: I use 275/35-20 for UHP summer dedicated tires and love them - 1/3 price than 265-35s
There are a few good choices for the size 255/40R19 tires on www.tirerack.com.
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AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 110
I would suggest the smallest diameter wheel that will fit properly over the brake calipers. Then find a tire that is narrower than your summer rubber. In winter tire narrower is going to be better in the snow.
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Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Bratislava, Slovakia
thanks a lot guys! 
I have ordered the 19" 255/45, actually, the same design as You have ETAzero :P ..
I have some issues with front sensors, so Im heading to audi on Monday for a check. Badly, Im already out of warranty, so hope it wont cost much
.. and I need to figure out how to do the MMI update myself, as 300 euros seems pretty much - why the hell should You pay for SW update?? You bought a damn expensive car, and they want to charge You for a freaking update?? I was so angry at the dealer..
I have ordered the 19" 255/45, actually, the same design as You have ETAzero :P ..I have some issues with front sensors, so Im heading to audi on Monday for a check. Badly, Im already out of warranty, so hope it wont cost much
.. and I need to figure out how to do the MMI update myself, as 300 euros seems pretty much - why the hell should You pay for SW update?? You bought a damn expensive car, and they want to charge You for a freaking update?? I was so angry at the dealer..
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: MI
thanks a lot guys! I have ordered the 19" 255/45, actually, the same design as You have ETAzero :P ..
I have some issues with front sensors, so Im heading to audi on Monday for a check. Badly, Im already out of warranty, so hope it wont cost much .. and I need to figure out how to do the MMI update myself, as 300 euros seems pretty much - why the hell should You pay for SW update?? You bought a damn expensive car, and they want to charge You for a freaking update?? I was so angry at the dealer..
I have ordered the 19" 255/45, actually, the same design as You have ETAzero :P ..I have some issues with front sensors, so Im heading to audi on Monday for a check. Badly, Im already out of warranty, so hope it wont cost much
.. and I need to figure out how to do the MMI update myself, as 300 euros seems pretty much - why the hell should You pay for SW update?? You bought a damn expensive car, and they want to charge You for a freaking update?? I was so angry at the dealer..