VONBOTTLE

so i just picked up my '13 S6 after totalling my '08 S6 last month and need to get a new winter setup as the old 18" setup i have obviously won't fit. i typically like to go a width narrower for snows as lot of you do, i'd prefer a studless snow instead of performance as the winters here in CT can be pretty rough, but you never know, some years it snows every week and others once a month....anyway, was wondering if anyone has gone with a 225/45/19 size? it's the closest diameter to stock 20's and are quite a bit cheaper to boot than a 245/40....i found a set of Hakka R2's for $820, whereas once you get into the 40 or 35 ratio the prices jump up 50%. the load rating on that size is XL 96 for the hakka's, so just wondering if there would be any other issues with going that size? obviously handling will be slightly compromised, but honestly, i'm not exactly doing road rallies through town.

as for wheels, i found 19" rotor reps 19" x 8.5" ET 35 at USArim.com - does anyone have these? i assume they'll clear the calipers, but may need the weights on the inner edge or on the spokes?

Damon@tirerack.com

225/45 19 is so reduced in necessary load capacity that they would have to have 50psi in them to be even remotely safe. Even then it's just barely...not recommended.

VONBOTTLE

ok, just wondering though - is that based on the weight of the car or the diameter of the tire or what? you guys carry a number of snow tires in that size, what car might be able to use them? i'm not disagreeing with you, just curious. it seems every newer version of the S6 (and any other model for that matter) has a larger wheel diameter and bigger tread. my '00 A6 2.7 came stock with i believe 215/50(?)/16's if i recall and then i went with 235/40/18's for summers if i recall.....so all i'm wondering is why the bigger and bigger tire for essentially the same size vehicle (obviously the bigger tread and smaller aspect ratio for performance and handling and handling the power in summer, but for snows?).

on another note - i got my wife's snow tires and wheels from you years back - 18" audi rotor wheels (Andros R9 i believe) - do they make a 19" rotor that fits the S6? i'd prefer to be able to get the whole package from you and pick them up

Damon@tirerack.com

A car's weight is finite. An S6 is just under 3000# on the heaviest front axle.

A tire's load capacity is finite based on it's size, construction, and air chamber volume.

An XL rated 225/45 19 has 1565 pounds of load capacity at 50 PSI. Add 10% to account for car passengers, contents, etc and soon you have a tire that can barely hold all that up. Your car recommends 44psi regular air pressure, which is what most people are using. A 225 isn't big enough for this car at 50 psi, and certainly not at 44. There needs to be some room for deflection.

VONBOTTLE

alrighty, i guess the old A6 was about 600 lbs lighter than the S6's hence the little 215's.....thanks for the clarification.....now, about getting some 19" rotor wheels that fit the S6.........

Damon@tirerack.com

You can see fitments for this car down to 18" here.

VONBOTTLE

Damon@tirerack.com

Sorry about that, I just glanced at the 08......for the 13 we don't have anything below 19".

S6inNH

I have owned A6s and now an S6 since 2001 and live in NH. I have never installed a snow tire, but have used all weather tires. I have never had a problem with snow or ice, the car is fantastic in the winter. The only problem is low ground clearance, so independent of the tire the car does not do well in snow greater than 6"

VONBOTTLE