20" Wheels and Tyres

[launching_rs4]

Hi Guys

I am in the process of sorting 20" wheels and tyres for my C5 RS6, i'm aware many people will suggest otherwise but I just love the
look of 20" wheels.
Anyway, due to the roads around my area I want to go with a 255/35/20 tyre as opposed to a 30 profile tyre for a bit more sidewall
and rim protection. Wheels are 20x9, et35

The big question is will a 255/35/20 fit the C5 RS6, especially on the front taking into account the top suspension arm?
I am on coilovers and willing to mod whats required to fit these on (grinding the suspension arm knotch I've read about) and or
run spacers etc.

I've read a few people running 275/35/20's but just want to make sure before I make tyre choices.

Appreciate any help and advice from experience. I'm getting 20's so please don't try to persuade me to stick to 19's,
just would like to know if fitting the above 35 profile tyre with my wheel specs will fit in any way possible?

Thanks in advance

Damian
Australia

[rob8457]

i have 20s on mine but have the 30 profile with this set up i get no rubbing at all changing to the rotor wheels is the best mod i have done, everyone comments on the wheels and the looks you get when driving from other people they are always looking at the wheels, the ride comfort has not altered with the 30 profile.

Bobby

[launching_rs4]

Thanks Rob

Because of the roads in my area and I have a very steep driveway its has to be 35 profile. With the coilovers I can have the
car look low but will actually have to put the car up due to the slightly larger wheel circumference, which gives me more
ground clearance. Perfect. I did a similar on my B5 RS4 going from 255/35/18 to 255/35/19, worked out great

Do you think the 255/35/20 will fit the RS6 even if I have to use 5-10mm spacers or use 245/35/20?

Wheels again are 20x9 et35

[smichels]

I have 9 x 20 et 29 rs4 wheels in mine with 265-30-20 Dunlop tires and I had to remove
The knobby on the suspension arms to clear them.

I am also not able to put any spacers on because if I do the tires will rub the wheel arches.

If I have 2 adults in the back and I drive of a speed bump to fast the tires already rub in the back.


I don't think 35 tires will fit.

[Daveperc]

I'm not aware of anyone running the sizes you propose - most of us are on 19" 255x35 or 275x30. It will in any case depend on the shoulder profile of the tyres you propose.

So I guess the only real way to find out will be to ask your local tyre Shop to let you fit one and see if it's a problem.

I know Footlong had to get his arches rolled to fit his 20" 275x30's in so you may have to go that way too

Dave

[Shoppinit]

The big question is will a 255/35/20 fit the C5 RS6, especially on the front taking into account the top suspension arm?

You will increase the rolling radius by 20mm. No way they will fit. That's a 6% increase in diameter. Your speedo and gearing will be way off, too.

[rossi46]

+1
255 30 20 are what you need

[brn7y]

I use this

http://www.alloywheels.com/Tyre_Calculator

[Ceveman73]

The problem is the way the front wishbone curves-in over the inner edges of the front tyres. I run 265/30/20 tyres with 5mm spacers on standadrd +35 offset rims and there is perhaps 1-2mm clearance off the wishbone arm, with the knobbly bit removed. I've had to get the front arches carefully rolled so as not to rub the arches also. 255/35/20 should fit with a 8mm spacer, but the rolling radius will be well off normal. You shouldn't go more than 3% different to standard radius to be honest.

I went for 265 after having 255s on the 20s, because I think the 255s look a bit too stretched on 9.5" wheels and its nice to have the extra rubber for grip, as well as a little more volume for a plusher ride. The 265s ride better than 255s.

If you need more clearance just raise the car by a few mill! (You're on coilovers right?)

Mart.

[bam_bam]

I know Footlong had to get his arches rolled to fit his 20" 275x30's in so you may have to go that way too

31cm runs 9.5jx19 275/30/19r... I think.

[Ceveman73]

Based on how tight 265/30/20 is, I can guarantee that there is no way that 275/30/20 will fit on the front, even with rolled arches. 265/30/20 are at the utter limit of room!

Mart.

[Shoppinit]

Mart, can you be sure that your tyres aren't rubbing under cornering? Have you painted up the hub carrier arm to make sure it's not getting rubbed off?

[Ceveman73]

There is an ever, ever-so slight rub mark on the dirt of the RHS arm, but it is negligible, certainly no more than I used to get occasionally with 275/30 tyres on 19" wheels. It must be hundredths of an mm, just enough to leave a mark in the dirt on the arm, but not enough to scuff the metal itself if that makes sense.

Mart.

[bam_bam]

...getting rubbed off?

*snigger*

[philipinoz]

Not sure we really came to any conclusions on this thread, did we? Apart from "perhaps not" for the 255/35-20 tyres.

Somehow I missed this discussion when it first came up (I do travel quite a bit and can't always get my daily fix of rs246.com), and searching the forum has taken me back here.

I've also been looking at 20x9 alloys, with 35mm offset. At least I know they will fit under the arches.

But finding tyres that have minimal acceptable load rating here in Aussie is problematic:

255/30s are all 92 load (Conti SP5, Dunlop SportMaxx, Pirelli Pzero)
265/30s are all 94 load (Conti SP2/3, Dunlop SportMaxx, Pirelli Pzero) - and might be too wide

255/35s are all 97 load and are back in familiar happiness territory (Goodyear F1Asy, Michelin PSS, Bridgestone Potenza)

But rolling diameter goes from 661mm to 686mm - and I wonder if that 13mm extra radius will be enough to foul the upper suspension control arm (I've removed Mr Knobbly already). And it will depend on the shape of the tyre - apart from the above three, I can also get Hankook Ventus V12, Pirelli Pzero, Conti SP2, Dunlop SportMaxx and Maxxis MA-Z1. I'm not bothered that the speedo will read 3.7% slower - that will help correct the fact that it reads about 6% too fast anyway!

Any wisdom from folks who are running 20" wheels?

Thanks

philip