Quattro and different sized rims
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AudiWorld Newcomer
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Quattro and different sized rims
Hiya all,
first off, pls excuse my technically bad english.
Ive got a 2,4 V6 Qauttro from 1999. I have a set of rims that I'd like to mount on to it - 19x8,5 and 19x9,5 ET38 (probably will get flamed for the wide rear weels at this point
).
Ive checked out some prices for the tyres needed and after a little work they came down to the best option available - but with a warning!
Problem: I was told that Quattros (or 4x4 in general) need to have tyre treads of same level (which wont be the case here) due to the rolling circumferences(?), or else the tear and wear will end up in the transmission and possibly break it!
Theres a mathmatical calculataion of the tyres to use to make sure the equation ends in '0', but mine ended in '0,1'. They said that in theory 0,1 is too little difference to cause any problems to the transmission, but that they also have experienced transmission breakdown earlier on a Suzuki that chose to have different sized tyes.
TLDR; Does anyone here roll with different set of rims on their Quattro without any problems, or is it a known danger to the transmission to do so?
I hope the explanation was understandable, and in advance - thanks!
first off, pls excuse my technically bad english.
Ive got a 2,4 V6 Qauttro from 1999. I have a set of rims that I'd like to mount on to it - 19x8,5 and 19x9,5 ET38 (probably will get flamed for the wide rear weels at this point
).Ive checked out some prices for the tyres needed and after a little work they came down to the best option available - but with a warning!
Problem: I was told that Quattros (or 4x4 in general) need to have tyre treads of same level (which wont be the case here) due to the rolling circumferences(?), or else the tear and wear will end up in the transmission and possibly break it!
Theres a mathmatical calculataion of the tyres to use to make sure the equation ends in '0', but mine ended in '0,1'. They said that in theory 0,1 is too little difference to cause any problems to the transmission, but that they also have experienced transmission breakdown earlier on a Suzuki that chose to have different sized tyes.
TLDR; Does anyone here roll with different set of rims on their Quattro without any problems, or is it a known danger to the transmission to do so?
I hope the explanation was understandable, and in advance - thanks!
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From: In the Cloud
I have run other (Porsche) wheels and snow tires with different circumferences front to rear, but within 10 percent difference and had no problems. This on a 1998 A6 Quattro.
Good luck, gb
Good luck, gb
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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The Torsen center differential is a mechanical unit so you can get by with different circumference tires within reason. Having stated that; consider a car with equal sized tires going down the autobahn in a straight line - the tiny worm gears in the Torsen will not be rotating. Now introduce a 5% circumference differential and they will be in constant rotation. How much heat will this generate? How much wear and tear? No idea.
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Joined: Jul 2018
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Thanks to the both of you for your answers! Much appreciated 
Out of curiosity - do you happen to have any pics of the A6 with the Porsche wheels?
I understand perfectly what you mean. Im not looking to push it that far. The issue was that the result wouldnt be 0%, but rather somewhere between 0% and 1%. I also read on other forums that Quattros can handle 1%-3% without any issues.
The Torsen center differential is a mechanical unit so you can get by with different circumference tires within reason. Having stated that; consider a car with equal sized tires going down the autobahn in a straight line - the tiny worm gears in the Torsen will not be rotating. Now introduce a 5% circumference differential and they will be in constant rotation. How much heat will this generate? How much wear and tear? No idea.
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