Winter Alloys/Tyres

[douglasgdmw]

Folks,

Getting reasonably priced winter wheels/alloys for the RS4 is proving a real pain. Found a good priced RS5 wheel at 9Jx19 ET24 with summer tyres of 263/35/ZR 19 so thought I was onto a winner. Just get an equivalent winter tyre and its sorted.

Contacted Audi Customer Services to see whether the part number would fit the car, which they have confirmed. The issue was when I mentioned I was wanting to put on 265/35/19 winter tyres and they said that Audi recommends a 8J 19 ET26 with a 235/40 R19.

I am completely perplexed as why Audi would say that a different profile of tyre would cause an issue if I am not going with their recommended profile/wheel and possibly cause issues with my warranty?

I know that a wider tyre is worse in snowy conditions but can't believe their stance on this?

Thoughts?

George

[Ian_C]

Its probably just a technicality that the OEM 19s (9Jx19 ET24) don't allow a safe enough clearance gap on the inside for snow chains.

OEM 19s with winter tyres are absolutely ideal for the UK climate (ie. fine as long as you are never going to try and wrap them with chains!)

[douglasgdmw]

Never thought about the chains.

I did point out that the inside Sticker on the tyre pressures specified:
265/35 R19 98Y XL
265/30 R20 94Y XL
235/40 R19 96V XL M+S
and separately
265/30 R20 94V XL M+S

so to my mind it is perfectly acceptable to keep the current alloys (20" V-Spoke) and put winter tyres on the vehicle as that is what Audi have specified.

However I can see the advantage in getting the 235 width tyres as they will cut through any snow better than a 265 would.

I have asked Audi UK to contact Germany as to my mind they cannot stipulate a 19" wheel when they have a Sticker indicating that a 20" wheel is acceptable for winter tyres. However I am not speaking directly to the technical guys so maybe something is being lost in translation.

George

[Madelvic]

Thought I'd replied

Audi giving it no thought. They told you the wheel tyre combo that they sell. Only one option they have

The RS5 wheels are identical spec to the standard RS4 wheels, though most go for the 20 inch

Ergo I see no difference, other than wider tyres. Will look better too as the Audi offering are 15mm inboard from standard wheels

Out of interest what is the pricing for used winter wheels / tyres these days? Ta

[MK2Golf24v]

Just fit them.

Why even bother asking Audi, you already know it’s going to be ok

[douglasgdmw]

Winter tyre quandry has now been sorted.

Managed to get a set of a pair of "2nd hand" official Audi winters including winter tyres (Dunlop Winter Sport) for £750 off ebay.

Admit that they will not look as nice as means I have to go with 235 width tyres which will limit the handing of the RS4 on the drier days of winter. However it does mean that if we get a dumping of snow like we did last year then they will prove to be a better bet. As I live 100ft up the top of a hill in the countryside then its a certainty that when the snow comes it will hit us first,

Thanks for all the advice - would have gone for the RS5 tyres if these did not come up.

George

[douglasgdmw]

Out of interest what is the pricing for used winter wheels / tyres these days? Ta

Does not answer your used question but I got a quote for both the 19's and the 20's from RapidTyre on new tyres
Pirelli winters 20" ~ £288 /corner
Pirelli winters 19" ~ £298 /corner

However I did an online search for the 235/19 and they were £200 a corner (not fitted). Therefore a lot cheaper come replacement time.


George