Downsizing wheels from 20”

Ken76

Ken76

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Hi I am thinking about downsizing my wheels but not sure to go with 18s or 19s my A4 is black but again not sure what kind, type or colour of wheels to go that would really set it off, has anyone any good suggestions??
I’d really appreciate any help or advice.
Thanks!!
 
I used to love the 19" 5 spoke, diamond cut wheels on my B9 Avant:



But is there any particular reason why you want to downgrade from 20" wheels?
 
B41BD7A5 2C2E 4951 805E 191B4E92F7E8 Yes basically I have to park in a street cars car park either side sometimes you have to park up on the footpath the car came with 20” wheels and I think with the wrong tyres (the rim sticks out from the tyre) so they aren’t hacking the pace and my ocd with any kind of mark isn’t good! Lol
 
I did not know the A4 was available with 20" wheels - maybe an S4 or RS4? In any event, your tyres look somewhat stretched.

I have 19" wheels on my S-Line (245/35/19) and wish I had the smaller wheels with higher sidewall. Even with adaptive suspension the ride is very hard over poorer road surfaces and I have already had to have one wheel replaced due to it baing buckled by a pot hole.

I guess it all comes down to personal preference - if it were me I would go for 18" wheels like the pre 2019 S-Line models had. Unfortunately my car is the 2019 facelift version which came with 19"' wheels as standard.
 
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psychopomp1 said:
I used to love the 19" 5 spoke, diamond cut wheels on my B9 Avant:



But is there any particular reason why you want to downgrade from 20" wheels?
Click to expand...

Got the same wheels on my S4 saloon and love the look of them. Ride quality is great and I’ve got no complaints at all in that respect.

Personally I’d avoid diamond cut wheels if I was replacing them as they are a maintenance nightmare! Going to paint mine black when they start deteriorating.
 
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Edge protection is quite good too with these Falken tyres.....
A7ADB218 9428 46C1 9651 903439915B58
 
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17”. I’ve had the car for nearly 4 years now and I haven’t had to get the Alloys reconditioned yet. Big wheels and low profiles look lovely, but the roads are a disaster. Pick a wheel to suit conditions.
 
firebits said:
17”. I’ve had the car for nearly 4 years now and I haven’t had to get the Alloys reconditioned yet. Big wheels and low profiles look lovely, but the roads are a disaster. Pick a wheel to suit conditions.
Click to expand...

Yes - I have 19", but (and looks aside) wish I had 17". I love my car on the smooth continental roads (not so much of an option now), but on the lousy UK roads, they are a disaster. The 245 section rubber also generates a lot of road noise on many of our road surfaces.

If it was an S4 or an RS4 I would understand - but my car is a 40 TDI.....
 
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I’ve also got the Falkens with Edge Protection, but I think we need to go even smaller. Jack up the suspension, fit 13” wheels and fit chunky off-road Tyres. Like grownup Micro Machines.
 
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audi upgrades
I may try to fit the wheels from my 1989 Mercedes 560 SEC (photograph in the 'My Other Car' thread).

215/65/15...... Wonderful in a ballonish sort of way......

Getting older is a terrible thing - especially when you start longing for high sidewalls.......!
 
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Ken76 said:
Hi I am thinking about downsizing my wheels but not sure to go with 18s or 19s my A4 is black but again not sure what kind, type or colour of wheels to go that would really set it off, has anyone any good suggestions??
I’d really appreciate any help or advice.
Thanks!!
Click to expand...

As others have stated it does come down to personal preference.
I previously had a B9 A4 with sports suspension and 18" wheels and now have a 2019 B9, again with the factory sports suspension and 19" wheels, and I don't find it to be much harder at all, rides very nicely for me anyway, can't really tell the difference. I can say I am a convert to the larger wheel size.

I don't think the 20" wheels you have were ever a standard option for the A4, maybe for an S4 or RS4, but if you are not unhappy with the ride, more the risk of damage then I would go for a 19" A4 standard wheel with either 245/35 tyres or 255/35 (as I think some on here have done for the extra side protection).

That way you will maintain the nicer look of the larger wheel but have better protection for the alloys.
 
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Edge protection on tyres only makes the tyre look good but it does not protect the rim from scratching on the curb. Small lip of rubber will do nothing against the weight of 2 ton car squashing against the curb.

I have 19inch summers and 17inch winters and there is not a lot of difference in the way the ride feels. However 17inch wheels do give a lot better protection from the curbs.
 
I'd say its personal preference and depends largely on the state of the roads you are driving on. I spend my time up and down motorways. I've had two with 19's and one with 18's. Visually the 19's look better. The downside is the rubber costs more. In my opinion difference in ride quality is negligible, maybe a tad more road noise from the 19's but not enough to bother you. All would say is don't go for a cheap aftermarket 19, they take a fair bit of stress - go for with a something with a good reputation. Loads of options out there.
 
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Andy101 said:
I'd say its personal preference and depends largely on the state of the roads you are driving on. I spend my time up and down motorways. I've had two with 19's and one with 18's. Visually the 19's look better. The downside is the rubber costs more. In my opinion difference in ride quality is negligible, maybe a tad more road noise from the 19's but not enough to bother you. All would say is don't go for a cheap aftermarket 19, they take a fair bit of stress - go for with a something with a good reputation. Loads of options out there.
Click to expand...
I was thinking maybe 19s what makes or what would you recommend?
 
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