18s not lowered

[leeroywarner]

Could people help
I have a 05 tdi se with 17" wheels

I would like to fit bigger wheels but being the family bus don't want to sacrifice the ride by lowering it

If anyone is running 18's on se suspension could they please post pics so I could have a look
Thanks

 

[DerSturmFahrer]

Could people help
I have a 05 tdi se with 17" wheels

I would like to fit bigger wheels but being the family bus don't want to sacrifice the ride by lowering it

If anyone is running 18's on se suspension could they please post pics so I could have a look
Thanks

Hi there, PM me your email addy and I'll send you some pics of my car.....

Darren.

 

[HerefordQuattro]

going to bigger rims will require lower profile tyres and that's what ruins the ride in my opinion. I went from 55's on the original 16's to 40 profile on my 18's and it crashes about all over the place and tramlines quite badly! Obviously not as big a change from 17's but be warned

 

[ex-vag]

I posted the same question, would like to move to 18"s but worried about the ride on lower profile tyres. Currently on 17"s but there's a HUGE gap between wheel and arch, think the 18"s would fill this nicely.
Someone mentioned that it was dodgy buying replicas, can't understand how though, yes they may be a lower quality material if anything, but surely they're not that dodgy that they won't last or work properly? Found some A5 18"s on eBay, think they're replicas, with tyres for around £500 but hesitating due to the uncertainty of the ride/comfort sacrifice

 

[hazey7]

The huge gap between wheels and arches is due to the standard height suspension more than 'small' wheels. Whether you're on 17"s, 18"s or 19"s the overall diameter is roughly the same. S line suspension reduces the gap as the car is lowered by 20mm, this seems to make the wheels fill the arches....

I personally think 19s with 35 profile tyres look amazing butthe ride is ridiculous for a 'luxury' saloon....

 

[ex-vag]

The huge gap between wheels and arches is due to the standard height suspension more than 'small' wheels. Whether you're on 17"s, 18"s or 19"s the overall diameter is roughly the same. S line suspension reduces the gap as the car is lowered by 20mm, this seems to make the wheels fill the arches....

I personally think 19s with 35 profile tyres look amazing butthe ride is ridiculous for a 'luxury' saloon....

Ah I understand now, but I'm guessing that larger wheels will fill the gap slightly. What are your thoughts on 18"s with 45 profiles, slightly harder ride but not as harsh as the 19"s and not as comfy as the 17"s, or just a minor difference in ride comfort?

 

[hazey7]

There's a tyre/wheel size calculator here

Visual Tyre Size Calculator | Kouki Tech

You cannot change the overall diameter of the wheel beyond +/- 2.5mm or you'll alter the gearing! Any change (even from old tyres to new tyres) will affect the gearing but there are tolerances. Put in your original tyre size then change the size of your prospective tyres and rims to get an overall diameter to match your originals....

Audi A6s from 2004 to 2011 are mainly (I believe...) supplied with the following tyre sizes: 17" 225/50/17 or 18" 225/40/18 or 19" 255/35/19, the overall diameters being extremely close in size to each other.

 

[hazey7]

Sorry, missed one of your points: Minor difference in comfort between 17s and 19s?

No, MAJOR difference, I have an s-line with 19s, 35 profile, I love this car to bits but if there's one thing I don't like, its the ride, toooo harsh.

You have to try different models to find one you like. I'm too old for s-line suspension now..... next time its an SE or a BMW 5.

 

[ex-vag]

I've decided to stick with the stock 17"s with 55 profile tyres, had a S-line A4 avant for a couple of days as a courtesy car whilst mine was in and have to admit the ride was a little bit harder on the 18"s than I'd expected, felt every bump going the usual routes which I normally didn't notice.