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Hello.

I've been an S4 owner since Decemeber, having left Impreza ownership.

There's not a great deal of tread left on my tyres and I absolutely loved the F1s on my Impreza after taking it round a track in the soaking wet (especially since the Bridgestone Potenzas were so bad in the wet).

My question is this - do I need the XL (extra load) models as I had on the Impreza and what is the correct load index?

I have 18" RS4 replicas.

Yes, you need the XLs. The S4 weighs an awful lot...

I have F1's that are not XL's

verysideways wrote:Yes, you need the XLs. The S4 weighs an awful lot...

Thought so.

Merci beaucoup.

My understanding is that B6 S4's like mine came from the factory with tyres speed rated 91Y but that some time later the standard factory fit changed to 95Y. I've had 95Y Eagle F1 Asymetrics on mine for the last couple of years and I think they're great!

Perhaps i should clarify - there's nothing wrong with having the non XLs, but you're "recommended" to have the XL versions due to the car's weight.
If you were to load the car up with four people, lots of luggage, a roof box, etc. and then decided to go skiing, and were doing 100mph+ on the autobahn then you'd definitely want the XLs as the non-XLs would be more likely to overheat in those conditions (due to sidewall flex).

Thanks.

The S4 has been around a lot longer than XL tyres and I am sure many an owner has loaded up their car and travelled at speed.

I had F1's on my B6 S4 and I called Goodyear before fitting them as I saw the OEM Conti's were XL. The guy at Goodyear said they didn't do an XL and a non XL. He said the F1 was XL rated.

Now I don't know if that's right or not but I had at least three sets on my car and I didn't have any problems.

I've found the info that I recalled seeing (from http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topi ... alf%20worn):

"Secondly, and this is more important, simply because it is more likely to occur, and it regards the 'Load Index' of the tyre. When the B6 S4 was released in 2003, it intially came with 'standard' load tyres with a load index of 91 (so the sidewall marking would be "235/40 ZR18 91Y"). However, these were borderline to say the least, and would cause excess wear on the outer shoulders, and could also cause the 'sawtooth' effect on the standard ContiSportContact2s. From model year 2004, the standard fit tyres on the S4 were improved to the "eXtra Load" load index rating of 95 (full sidewall marking "235/40 ZR18 95Y XL") - and not only did this improve car stability under very hard braking and hard cornering, it also noticeably evened out the tyre wear. It was recommended that these 95 XL tyres were retro fitted to the original B6 S4s come replacement time.

If you do have the lesser 91 tyres, then you have only two options - either get the tyres replaced with 95Y XL flavour (at someone elses expense - if it was an Audi dealer or other dealer who incorrectly fitted them, then they should be liable for the costs). If that fails, then you really need to increase the tyre pressures to cope. As a general 'rule of thumb', for every one point in load index variation, you need to adjust the pressure by 1½-2psi - so in your instance, increase the pressures by 6-8psi from that on the door pillar sticker."

Hi

You do not have to have Xl tyres, but for peace off mind get them.
I got Vredestein Xl 235 40 18 y, £120 almost as good as ContiSport 2s

I like the Goodwood Green

I've just had a look at what I've got currently;

Fronts are Continental 95Y
Rear is 1 x Contiental 91Y and 1 x Pirelli 91Y

Nice.

I blew them all up to 39 PSI as the label stated.

Get the XLs. I recently managed to get an Audi dealership to reimburse me with the costs of fitting 4 new tyres after they sold me an S4 with non-XL tyres. As part of doing this I contacted Audi UK HQ and their response was:

As per our earlier telephone conversation, I can confirm I have checked with our Technical Team and the correct tyres for your vehicle registration number XX04 XXX are:

235/40/R18/95Y Extra load

Also, it's important that with the Quattro system, especially on a car like the S4, all of the tyres are of the same "type, make and tread pattern" (according to Audi's pre-delivery checklist).

I doubt it would come to it, but there is a small chance that insurance may be invalidated if you had an accident and the recommended tyres were not fitted.

After reading all of the reviews, I'm going for Vredesteins.

Loving the private plate: XX04XXX

verysideways wrote:Loving the private plate: XX04XXX

Haha! Yeah - cost more than the car - but worth it, as I'm a porn baron!