I am loving my 4.2, but...
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Joined: Mar 2000
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I am loving my 4.2, but...
I can't help but feel that I am missing something. My car is equipped with the 16" 6 spoke wheels and Dunlop sp5000 tires. I am extremely satisfied but I can't help feeling that I don't know what I'm missing.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Wake up Audi, 17" should be on all sport packages!
The only criticism Car and Driver had in regards to the number 1 rated $40,000.00 sedan, were the whimpy tires. With the lowest skidpad numbers in the group, Audi needs to come up with a 17" wheel option, particularly on the sports package. The car is so capable, yet is so limited with the current wheels and tires. With the heavier 4.2, you'll notice substantial improvement in roadholding ability with wider, low profile tires.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
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Re: I am loving my 4.2, but...
You can greatly improve your feedback characteristics and handling by replacing your current tires with a higher performance oriented tire of the same size. By staying with the stock size you will notice only a minor increase in ride stiffness. It is truly amazing how much difference a tire can make.
If you make the jump to 17", you experience an even greater gain in handling and feedback. But you will increase your ride stiffness too.
I have 255/40 ZR-17 Pirelli P6000s (OEM) on my 4.2 and find the ride to be perfect for my tastes. I actually mounted a set of Bridgestone S-02 Pole Positions on my car two days after I took delivery and found the sidewalls to be too stiff. The handling was improved (particularly the steering response/feedback) but the increase was not worth the ride degridation around town. So I remounted the P6000s and have found the blend of handling and comfort to be just right. Lets face it, my car weighs 4024 lbs and is a sedan, not a 2200 lb sports car!
You can easily improve your car with a tire change, but you need to decide how far you want to go. Everybody has different driving habits and tastes. Go with what works for you, not with what the teenage "rice-burner" driving wanna-be-racer at the tire shop tells you to go with! (which will probably be 18" with 35 series sidewalls!)
If you make the jump to 17", you experience an even greater gain in handling and feedback. But you will increase your ride stiffness too.
I have 255/40 ZR-17 Pirelli P6000s (OEM) on my 4.2 and find the ride to be perfect for my tastes. I actually mounted a set of Bridgestone S-02 Pole Positions on my car two days after I took delivery and found the sidewalls to be too stiff. The handling was improved (particularly the steering response/feedback) but the increase was not worth the ride degridation around town. So I remounted the P6000s and have found the blend of handling and comfort to be just right. Lets face it, my car weighs 4024 lbs and is a sedan, not a 2200 lb sports car!
You can easily improve your car with a tire change, but you need to decide how far you want to go. Everybody has different driving habits and tastes. Go with what works for you, not with what the teenage "rice-burner" driving wanna-be-racer at the tire shop tells you to go with! (which will probably be 18" with 35 series sidewalls!)
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Re: You got to try the Dunlops SP-5000 Z-rated tires....
So true... The standard tires on many cars usually aren't necessarily the best set up for that particular model.. Usually a manufacturer's decision on a tire is based on cost, how cheaply they can buy in bulk, and how to satisfy the masses using the minimal amount of money..
I recently got a set of Dunlops SP-5000 Z-rated for my BMW... Absolutely unbelievable, in the dry, and the wet... Plus they ride real quiet too... The best tire money can buy for that particular wheel, which happened to be 225/60/15,,, and they only cost $65 each at the Tire Rack.. Tremendous value regardless of price in my opinion...
I recently got a set of Dunlops SP-5000 Z-rated for my BMW... Absolutely unbelievable, in the dry, and the wet... Plus they ride real quiet too... The best tire money can buy for that particular wheel, which happened to be 225/60/15,,, and they only cost $65 each at the Tire Rack.. Tremendous value regardless of price in my opinion...
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Clarification/correction.....
The SP 5000 that comes as standard on the 4.2 in 235/50/16 fitment is apparently an OEM tire and has a speed rating of "H". Not to exceed 130 mph.
I did see however on the Dunlop site that most of the other fitments for this tire are rated at "W" or "V".<ul><li><a href="http://www.dunloptire.com/tires/sp5000/">http://www.dunloptire.com/tires/sp5000/</a</li></ul>
I did see however on the Dunlop site that most of the other fitments for this tire are rated at "W" or "V".<ul><li><a href="http://www.dunloptire.com/tires/sp5000/">http://www.dunloptire.com/tires/sp5000/</a</li></ul>