Going to buy tires this week. Considering several choices.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 12,476
Likes: 2
Going to buy tires this week. Considering several choices.
I think I may do 255/45-18 depending on the exact specs of the particular tire choosen. For the most part it seems like 245/45 and 255/45 bracket the stock overall diameter with perhaps a slight nod to 245/45 as closer in most cases. I think I'm going to do the 255 to put 10mm more contact patch on the road and gain a scant amount more sidewall for allroading if necessary. Either way, its close enough.
Considering:
Bridgestone S03 - seems like an Audiworld favorite
Goodyear F1 GS-D3 - rated well and have heard that they wear pretty well.
Falken Azenis ST115 - value pricing, good performance but have heard that they do not hold up despite their 380 treadwear rating.
Toyo Proxes T1-S - An old favorite on my VW Corrado. Great performance wet and dry. I am somewhat concerned with the durability especially on a porky allroad.
I know that this topic gets a lot of 'mileage' around here, but I thought I would throw this up for any comment.
Considering:
Bridgestone S03 - seems like an Audiworld favorite
Goodyear F1 GS-D3 - rated well and have heard that they wear pretty well.
Falken Azenis ST115 - value pricing, good performance but have heard that they do not hold up despite their 380 treadwear rating.
Toyo Proxes T1-S - An old favorite on my VW Corrado. Great performance wet and dry. I am somewhat concerned with the durability especially on a porky allroad.
I know that this topic gets a lot of 'mileage' around here, but I thought I would throw this up for any comment.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Re: Going to buy tires this week. Considering several choices.
Tire Rack said that the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 tests as good as the S-03's. Consumer Reports testing put the F1 GS-D3 at the top of the Ultra Performance tire heap. (I'll note that CR is not often the best source for enthusiast-relevant information, but in this case it seems to be consistent with others). These are the 2 tires I am also considering for a set this spring.
Are there any clearance problems with going to a 255 width?
Are there any clearance problems with going to a 255 width?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 12,476
Likes: 2
I will be running a 17mm effective offset...
Wheels are BBS RK-II 18x8.5 ET32. I will run 15mm H&R spacers for the 17mm effective offset. I don't think I will have any problem at all, but it has not actually been fitted yet.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 3
Falken if you want quiet tires and fast performance ...
It's cheap too!
If you are too concern with mileage ... look at 400+ treadwear ratings. But 400+ treatwear for the same price may mean less speed rating (less performance).
If you are too concern with mileage ... look at 400+ treadwear ratings. But 400+ treatwear for the same price may mean less speed rating (less performance).
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 0
The S03s can take quite a pounding from NJ potholes. I can't find anything that can take as much
abuse. I've ripped 2 sidewalls on my S4 and 2 on the allroad. Until I can find something as durable, there's only S03s for me.
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 44
The Falkens MAY have a shorter life -- but not considering their price, I love mine would buy again.
245 x 45 x 18" Azenis ST115 Falken's on RS 6 replicas with 5mm spacers from Achtuning.
Even used the Falken's in the Cincinnati Winter -- would not suggest this in areas where you have "real winters," however.
2003 2.7T 6spd
Even used the Falken's in the Cincinnati Winter -- would not suggest this in areas where you have "real winters," however.
2003 2.7T 6spd
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production
Joe Kucinski
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
This topic has been discussed to death, but...
S-03, when new, have great handling and roadholding; when worn, they are unbearably harsh and noisy.
Did you consider Pirelli Nero? Cooper Zeon 2XS?
No matter what tire you put on an allroad, it's a large, heavy, soft vehicle and will never be a sports car.
Did you consider Pirelli Nero? Cooper Zeon 2XS?
No matter what tire you put on an allroad, it's a large, heavy, soft vehicle and will never be a sports car.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 0
From what I've read, it's between the GS-D3 & SO3, with the nod going to the GS-D3...
The SO3 may be slightly better on the dry track, but tends to wear poorly (7500-15000 mi), tramlines, and is noisey. The gs-d3 seems to be the better all-around tire.