just got 18x8.5 RS4 replica wheels... need some TIRES and some serious ADVICE!!!
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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just got 18x8.5 RS4 replica wheels... need some TIRES and some serious ADVICE!!!
got them from O.E. wheels distributor.. and they are HEAVY!!! - 32~35lb
now, i'm looking for ultra/high performance all-season tires. i did my calculation and came out with this results.
245/35-18 (non-stock tire 0.5% too fast)
255/35-18 (non-stock tire 0.6% too slow)
i don't know if going with 245 or 255 will make much difference, but saw a lot of ppl go with 245 in this forum. Would either of these be safe to drive during the winter? because I'm considering selling my 9-spoke OEM A6 16'' wheels (Toyo Proxes TPT 205/55R16) pretty soon. Anyone interested?
so, my questions to you experts are 1)245 or 255?, 2) safe in winter? should i keep my OEMs for winter?, 3) tire recommendation?, 4) offset?, 5) anyone have experience with this replica RS4 wheels?
thanks!<ul><li><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-Hyper-Audi-A4-A6-A8-RS6-S4-S6-S8-V8-TT-wheels-rims_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43958QQihZ019QQite mZ290013917784QQrdZ1">18 x 8.5 / 35mm / hub centric replica</a></li></ul>
now, i'm looking for ultra/high performance all-season tires. i did my calculation and came out with this results.
245/35-18 (non-stock tire 0.5% too fast)
255/35-18 (non-stock tire 0.6% too slow)
i don't know if going with 245 or 255 will make much difference, but saw a lot of ppl go with 245 in this forum. Would either of these be safe to drive during the winter? because I'm considering selling my 9-spoke OEM A6 16'' wheels (Toyo Proxes TPT 205/55R16) pretty soon. Anyone interested?
so, my questions to you experts are 1)245 or 255?, 2) safe in winter? should i keep my OEMs for winter?, 3) tire recommendation?, 4) offset?, 5) anyone have experience with this replica RS4 wheels?
thanks!<ul><li><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-Hyper-Audi-A4-A6-A8-RS6-S4-S6-S8-V8-TT-wheels-rims_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43958QQihZ019QQite mZ290013917784QQrdZ1">18 x 8.5 / 35mm / hub centric replica</a></li></ul>
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Joined: Feb 2006
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What type of car are these going on?
And what engine?
If you live in the snow belt, keep the OEM wheels for snow tires. ANY tire you put on an 8.5" rim is going to be too wide to get good snow performance. Snow tires want to be narrow so they can cut through the snow and get a bite on the pavement. The other benefit is that you can pick up some deciated summer tires and get better summer performance to boot. I run 215s in the winter and 235s in the summer.
If you live in the snow belt, keep the OEM wheels for snow tires. ANY tire you put on an 8.5" rim is going to be too wide to get good snow performance. Snow tires want to be narrow so they can cut through the snow and get a bite on the pavement. The other benefit is that you can pick up some deciated summer tires and get better summer performance to boot. I run 215s in the winter and 235s in the summer.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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I have 2001 A6 2.8 fwd... didn't have a good winter experience..
this car is from Georgia, and is not quattro. I had some trouble riding through piles of snow around my neighborhood (upstate NY!)
My current OEM wheels doesn't have winter tires on, and I am reluctant to spend another 600+ getting new 16'' winter tires, 100+ mounting them, plus storing them since i'm still in college. Nevertheless, I'll take your advice and consider holding onto my OEMs a little longer. Is driving on winter tires significantly different from riding on all-season in snowy area?
Meanwhile, can you give me some advice on 245 vs. 255, and tire recommendation?
Thanks!
My current OEM wheels doesn't have winter tires on, and I am reluctant to spend another 600+ getting new 16'' winter tires, 100+ mounting them, plus storing them since i'm still in college. Nevertheless, I'll take your advice and consider holding onto my OEMs a little longer. Is driving on winter tires significantly different from riding on all-season in snowy area?
Meanwhile, can you give me some advice on 245 vs. 255, and tire recommendation?
Thanks!
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Feb 2006
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OK. College student on a budget. Got it. Here's my take...
You really do need to get some dedicated snows -- particularly if you're in upstate NY. I have the Dunlop Wintersport M3s and love 'em (also very popular with the A6 crowd). 4 x $111 (at www.tirerack.com) + 100 (install & balance) = $540. This is a no-brainer in my book. You need these.
So... how do you save the money I just spent for you? Let go of the tire size you're thinking. You can't get 255s or 245s on a 2.8 without the potential for fitment issues anyway. You can get a 235/40R18 General Exclaim UHP for $99 each. It's the tire I have and I love it. It will EASILY outperform ANY all season tire you can get. And by getting the tire size you need, you'll save some money. Not $500, but probably on the order of $100.
If you insist on going the all-season route (stay with the size I recommended either way), I'd suggest the Kumho ECSTA ASX. A buddy of mine has them and likes them a lot.
Check out "Stoney's Links" in my sig. Do a search on "Hunter" when you get to that page. Find the link to the Hunter web site and read about the "Roadforce balancing system." Use the dealer locator (also on the Hunter site) and get your tires installed at a dealer that has this type of system. It is WELL worth it.
Good luck!
So... how do you save the money I just spent for you? Let go of the tire size you're thinking. You can't get 255s or 245s on a 2.8 without the potential for fitment issues anyway. You can get a 235/40R18 General Exclaim UHP for $99 each. It's the tire I have and I love it. It will EASILY outperform ANY all season tire you can get. And by getting the tire size you need, you'll save some money. Not $500, but probably on the order of $100.
If you insist on going the all-season route (stay with the size I recommended either way), I'd suggest the Kumho ECSTA ASX. A buddy of mine has them and likes them a lot.
Check out "Stoney's Links" in my sig. Do a search on "Hunter" when you get to that page. Find the link to the Hunter web site and read about the "Roadforce balancing system." Use the dealer locator (also on the Hunter site) and get your tires installed at a dealer that has this type of system. It is WELL worth it.
Good luck!
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AudiWorld Super User
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Um... How can that be?
Winter tires are different by virtue of two properties...
- Tread pattern (very open to bite through and release snow)
- Rubber composition (softer to provide better stick in cold weather)
Any all season tire that has those attributes is going to have lousy treadware performance -- really lousy. I've often hear people say that they hate removing a good set of snows because they're so sticky. We do it, however, because they'd last about a year if we didn't.
- Tread pattern (very open to bite through and release snow)
- Rubber composition (softer to provide better stick in cold weather)
Any all season tire that has those attributes is going to have lousy treadware performance -- really lousy. I've often hear people say that they hate removing a good set of snows because they're so sticky. We do it, however, because they'd last about a year if we didn't.