'01 S4 Avant - need advice on 17" vs18" summer wheels
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
'01 S4 Avant - need advice on 17" vs18" summer wheels
I recently put on Dunlop M2Wintersports on my stock avus wheels for winter here in New Eng. (never realized how bad the Pirelli 6000 were even in dry roads)
I'd like to go with aftermarket wheels with different tires (ie,Michelin S03) but can't decide on 17" vs 18" wheels. I've modified the car with GIAC, neuospd exhaust,sway,Bailey Valves.
(summer car is a '93NSX,so I drive aggrsssively)
Plan on probably going with springs that'll reduce it about 1.5-1.75"
1.Will I really have a problem with potholes using 40 series vs 45 series ?(225 or 235mm)
2. I find the steering too light already, will 18" wheels make the response even more light?
3. Plan on going under $325/per wheel,(leased)
examples for black S4Avant w/ aluminum mirrors?
Help!
Thanks, DennisD
I'd like to go with aftermarket wheels with different tires (ie,Michelin S03) but can't decide on 17" vs 18" wheels. I've modified the car with GIAC, neuospd exhaust,sway,Bailey Valves.
(summer car is a '93NSX,so I drive aggrsssively)
Plan on probably going with springs that'll reduce it about 1.5-1.75"
1.Will I really have a problem with potholes using 40 series vs 45 series ?(225 or 235mm)
2. I find the steering too light already, will 18" wheels make the response even more light?
3. Plan on going under $325/per wheel,(leased)
examples for black S4Avant w/ aluminum mirrors?
Help!
Thanks, DennisD
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
My $.02 worth.....
1) You will always have a chance for a problem when you go with a lower series tire... the less sidewall, the greater chance of a bend or dent in the wheel. That being said, I run 235/40-17 on my BBS wheels in downtown Houston (known to have the WORST roads in Texas) and I have never had a problem.
2) I drove a friend's chipped S4 Avant with 18" BBS CH and I found the steering feel to be greatly improved from the AVUS wheels (his only other suspension mod is rear swaybar). He is running 225/45-18 Michelin Pilot Sports.
3) There are a lot of choices in the sub-$325 category. Go to www.tirerack.com and take a look at what they have. This is a great place to start the search.
Have fun shopping!!!!
PeteH
2) I drove a friend's chipped S4 Avant with 18" BBS CH and I found the steering feel to be greatly improved from the AVUS wheels (his only other suspension mod is rear swaybar). He is running 225/45-18 Michelin Pilot Sports.
3) There are a lot of choices in the sub-$325 category. Go to www.tirerack.com and take a look at what they have. This is a great place to start the search.
Have fun shopping!!!!
PeteH
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
18" is for looks; no performance benefit
The downsides to 18" wheels:
- they're heavier
- they're more expensive
- 18" tires are more expensive
- slight loss of performance (due to weight)
But they sure do look cool...
I went with 17x8 OZ Superleggeras. My last set of summer tires were 235/40-17 S-03s. My next set will be 225/45-17 something-or-others (maybe PZero Rossos?). The S-03s performed extremely well, but were too noisy and rough, even in relatively smooth NorCal. (Don't know whether the issue was the tire or the sidewall height, or the fact that I cupped them a bit early-on.)
I took off my summer wheels and put on my stock Avus wheels with Dunlop WS M2s, like yours. They are much quieter and smoother than the S-03s. And I have no complaints about the handling (although I wouldn't take them to the track!).
Good luck with your decision.
- they're heavier
- they're more expensive
- 18" tires are more expensive
- slight loss of performance (due to weight)
But they sure do look cool...
I went with 17x8 OZ Superleggeras. My last set of summer tires were 235/40-17 S-03s. My next set will be 225/45-17 something-or-others (maybe PZero Rossos?). The S-03s performed extremely well, but were too noisy and rough, even in relatively smooth NorCal. (Don't know whether the issue was the tire or the sidewall height, or the fact that I cupped them a bit early-on.)
I took off my summer wheels and put on my stock Avus wheels with Dunlop WS M2s, like yours. They are much quieter and smoother than the S-03s. And I have no complaints about the handling (although I wouldn't take them to the track!).
Good luck with your decision.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,560
Likes: 0
Re: 18" is for looks; no performance benefit
Downsides
-they're heavier - as long as they weight less than stock no big deal
-they're more expensive - um..true
-18" tires are more expensive - got me again
-slight loss of performance (due to weight) - not nearly as pronounced as everyone thinks, I went from 16" stock sport (A4) to 18" CH and gained a total of 4 lbs per wheel, I don't notice it at all. In fact, entering and exiting corners I can now carry more speed so anything I would have lost, I more than make up for.
mmmmm... Superlaggara, nice choice, VERY light, even at 18".
-they're heavier - as long as they weight less than stock no big deal
-they're more expensive - um..true
-18" tires are more expensive - got me again
-slight loss of performance (due to weight) - not nearly as pronounced as everyone thinks, I went from 16" stock sport (A4) to 18" CH and gained a total of 4 lbs per wheel, I don't notice it at all. In fact, entering and exiting corners I can now carry more speed so anything I would have lost, I more than make up for.
mmmmm... Superlaggara, nice choice, VERY light, even at 18".
New Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Re: 18" is for looks; no performance benefit
I completely agree with Wantyboy's post. Forget 18's and go instead with 17's and high quality tires--Pilot Sports, Toyo T-1s, Dunlop SP 9000, Pirelli PZeros, to name four.
Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 0
Good responses on thread.. For you, keep 17"
The only thing like meem says is fpor a bit more brake clearance, but other that that it is mostly cosmetic.
Feel free to call me with any questions or if you should need to place an order!
Regards
Eddie
Feel free to call me with any questions or if you should need to place an order!
Regards
Eddie
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
yup, true...ask your wheel dealer before buying wheels!
if you have aftermarket brakes, make sure to mention this when you're buying the wheels, and make sure the wheels will fit over the brakes!
FWIW:
17x8 Superleggeras fit over 332mm Stoptechs with much room to spare.
17x7.5 Avus (stock) fit over 332mm Stoptechs with quite narrow clearance
If you get into giant Brembos or something, you might need to go to 18.
FWIW:
17x8 Superleggeras fit over 332mm Stoptechs with much room to spare.
17x7.5 Avus (stock) fit over 332mm Stoptechs with quite narrow clearance
If you get into giant Brembos or something, you might need to go to 18.
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JCF
A4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
6
Dec 1, 2003 06:27 PM
mys4avant
S4 / RS4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
8
Nov 9, 2001 08:32 AM
cw2.7
S4 / RS4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
8
Jul 1, 2001 07:33 PM
John CC
S4 / RS4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
3
Mar 25, 2000 04:08 AM