Bigger tires for OEM 16" 2001 Sport wheels or new tires and wheels?
02-13-2004, 01:02 PM
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Bigger tires for OEM 16" 2001 Sport wheels or new tires and wheels?
I am having a performance vs $$ issue deciding whether to buy 225/50 tires for the oem sport rims or upgrade to 17 or 18" rims and lower profile tires.
Would the performance increase of the bigger wheels justify the $1000-1500 extra if 85% of my time is spent commuting? Also, with bigger wheels, would I need to lower the suspension to minimize the fender gap? Would 17's or 18's look silly with the stock sport suspension of a 2001 A4 1.8t?
Lots of questions, just looking for some opinions.
Trent
Would the performance increase of the bigger wheels justify the $1000-1500 extra if 85% of my time is spent commuting? Also, with bigger wheels, would I need to lower the suspension to minimize the fender gap? Would 17's or 18's look silly with the stock sport suspension of a 2001 A4 1.8t?
Lots of questions, just looking for some opinions.
Trent
02-13-2004, 02:00 PM
#2
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17s look OK with stock sport susp; 18s start to look silly...
For just leisurely commute, I'd say it's not worth going up to bigger rims. You can usually improve handling just by getting better tires.
02-13-2004, 03:21 PM
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Thanks, I was thinking about getting in on the 17" RS4 GB since they are fairly inexpensive, but...
are the 17" replicas gonna buy me anything over stock 16" sport wheels in terms of performance, weight, and/or quality? My suspicion is that the OEM wheels are better quality. Not sure about the weight. Have most people been satisfied with their RS4 replicas?
02-13-2004, 03:30 PM
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well...
The 17" reps. from Achtuning weigh approx. 24lbs. Not sure about their quality. They can't possibly be any worse than the OEM RS4-style 17s which were soft as butter, but weighed only 19lbs. Your OEM 16s weigh around 20-21lbs.
17s will definitely look better and will provide slightly quicker steering response. Not sure that that's all that important in daily commuting though ;-) As I mentioned before, you can improve the steering response of your 16s just by getting better tires (with stiffer sidewalls).
17s will definitely look better and will provide slightly quicker steering response. Not sure that that's all that important in daily commuting though ;-) As I mentioned before, you can improve the steering response of your 16s just by getting better tires (with stiffer sidewalls).
02-13-2004, 05:51 PM
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Which tires have stiff sidewalls?
I have been searching on the Tire Rack site for ultra and max performance tires (I know, I said I use my car mostly for commuting). I like the new Goodyear F1's, and Pilot Sports are on special in the size I am looking for. I'd also consider some of the less expensive ones like Ectsa MX's or Yoko ES100's. Which ones would have a pretty stiff sidewall even in a 50 series?
Trent
Trent
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02-15-2004, 07:32 PM
#10
17's
I have the 17's BBS RC's (I bought used and they came with the car). When I park next to my friend with 16's they look muuuuch nicer and probably perform better. Would I invest $1600 to gain that look, I don't know, but I am very happy with the perfomance and appearance. As soon as it stops raining I am going to take some pics. But mine are on a A6 also, FWIW.
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