akOOOO

Hey guys, new to the forum! About to pull the trigger on an 08 Audi RS4 soon, but doing a little extended research beforehand.

A little back story, I live in Alaska, and our roads are not exactly... rim friendly. In fact to put in plainly, our roads are probably worse than 85% of the rest of the "regular" US.

The common myth(it may be) up here, is that the larger the wheel, the higher chance of it being bent on a frost heave, multiple pot holes etc. Granted you try and avoid those, but sometimes it just happens, especially in the winter when everything is iced over. Is this belief true? It seems logical to me, seeing as how there is less rubber and air in between the wheel and the road to act as cushion, but many of you may have more knowledge on the subject? Maybe rims have evolved to the point it doesn't really matter?

Anyways, I was looking over some aftermarket wheel sites, and no one listed anything smaller than a 19" for an RS4. I imagine that is for a reason, issue with the calipers and such? Or will a 17 or 18 for an S4 bolt on?

If the brakes are the issue, I was thinking of upgrading to a Brembo system soon after purchase, could I find a smaller yet still effective system than stock RS4, if the OEM calipers won't clear? Would a Brembo system intended for an S4 work, and therefore still allow the clearance for smaller wheels? These questions are of course in assumption that the brakes are the issue, and also I am not sure the cross-compatibility of S4-RS4 parts. I know to some extent they are. Basically I come seeking your knowledge on anything and everything on this subject.

Reggie

I know 18's will fit - and a brembo use is not a upgrade over OEM brakes. A/S4 wheels will need spacers to be used as that is what I had to do for my summer wheels as the offset is only ET35 and not 29. Hartmann may make 18's that will fit without running spacers and their wheels seem to be almost as tough as OEM.

India Whiskey Charlie

A good starting point would be to take the factory OEM 18" specifications and go from there: 8.5" x 18 ET24. Also, I would try a forum search for RS4 18" wheels as there are many who are running 18's with track tires quite successfully.

John Stahmann

A lot of RS4's run 18s in the winter. Mine are TDR 18x9 with 255/40 18 snows. These were originally ET20s and they fit fine, but I milled them to an ET23. I know ET25 in this wheel would also clear the stock brakes with no spacers.

ELEVENS

That's a great photo John. I never thought I'd say this after this past horrendous winter, but that snow looks inviting - at least for the RS4 driver with snow tires.

I run 225-18 snows in the winter and they are AWESOME. The extra sidewall height is a nice relief from the jolting summer tires, softening the ride while protecting the rim from those surprise pot hole shots.