jbm0

Okay, I've done it -- ordered a 2005 allroad 4.2/Tip without the verdammt sunroof, in Atlas Gray with body-color wheelbulges and such. Now comes the hard part: waiting 900 million years while they get around to building it, then put it on a slow boat from Germany.

I want it NOW.

Oh well. In the meantime, I can prepare. For example, by the time the beast arrives (with its big wide slippery 245/45-18 summer tires) it should be full winter here, so I should have some snows ready to pop right on. I was thinking about Dunlop M3s, probably in 225/55-17; does that sound about right? The problem is, my usual algorithm of "just go to tirerack.com" seems to be failing, because they don't seem to have any 17-inch wheels in stock for this application. Any suggestions for an alternative retailer, or particular favorite wheel makers/models? Are the 17-inch stock wheels 7.5x17? Is that what I should look for, or should I go for the (apparently-more-common) 8x17s with these tires? Oh, and tirerack only seems to have H-rated M3 tires; do Vs exist?

And... what of wheel locks? Is McGard still a vendor of choice, or should I look elsewhere? Should I assume that McGard's 28018 weighs the same (with similar distribution of mass) as a stock lug bolt, and thus won't screw up balance?

Thanks... -Jeff

dan farmer

Someone here must want to sell the 17" wheels that came with the car. They are 7.5" wide, ET25. It's the low-number offset (ET) that makes wheels hard to find. Ronal was recently posting here about wheel&tire combo pricing, BTW.

For Tire Rack questions, post on the Wheel & Tire forum, and Gary, the Tire Rack guy, will respond. Hold out for V-rated tires! Nokians are my favorite.

-df

audiallroadin'

mine are going on Thursday...can't wait.<ul><li><a href="http://www.nokian.com/">http://www.nokian.com/</a</li></ul>

mowog

or post a wanted on the boards. Wintersport M3s should be an excellent tire- I was going to buy a set but picked up Pilot Alpins for a little less. Nokians are popular but not easily available everywhere. I personaly like a tire that I can get quickly if I need one. I think H rated should be fine- many snows are only Q rated. The allroad is limited to 130 anyway and winter tires shouldn't be subjected to high temps like summers. Ronal makes the OEM audi wheels and sells aftermarkets in the correct offset. They even have winter pakages with tires although I haven't gotten wheels/tires from them. If you find 17" takeoffs they may have P6s or Goodyears on them- OK tires but not great. Tirerack is not the only tire store (although very good) so check others as tirerack doesn't seem to carry some sizes of tires that are available elsewhere. Enjoy the car!

bizmonq

in vg condition. e-mail me

jbm0

Thanks to all who responded for the pointers.