2003 B6 S4 Avant - switch to 17 inch wheels?

[Chaz71]

Hi there, newbie here.

Trying to improve ride quality and investigating switch to 17 inch wheels full time, not just for winter tyres. I am a country boy and the bump thump on our underfunded roads is getting boring. Research suggests 17 inch with 225/45/R17's would be the correct solution, but has anyone done it, what are the results, are there any catches, pitfalls suggestions out there? I believe the OEM 18's are ET +42, but happy to be given better advice.

All inputs welcome, especially tyre choices if a 17 inch solution is workable. Cheers, C

[Guest 2]

Welcome to VWAF

Check however to see if the S4's brakes can clear 17" wheels, the sticker which shows the tyre pressures will list compatible sizes with your car, usually inside the fuel filler flap or in the door jam area of the drivers door.

How long have you had the car out of interest?

[Chaz71]

Hi A6 Chris,

thanks, is it the ET rating which defines the clearance? I think I can get that number from inside the spare wheel, which is full size. So my thinking now is that if I get 17 inch wheels with the same ET rating they should fit, or have I got this wrong? Armed with your tyre advice I should then be able to put a safe and smooth ride together, keeping the 18 inches for track days.........

Bought the car last week, still trying to wean myself off my BMW addiction......

Cheers, C

[Guest 2]

I think the size of the brakes especially the calipers and discs are the reason for bigger wheels.

I know on my A6 for sure, 16" wheels won't fit over the front brakes because its a V6. Offset is how far the wheel sticks out and how close it is to the arch.

Check the sticker first and report back. mjhamilton owns a b6 s4 cab, so he might see this and comment. For more coverage I've moved your thread to the B6 section Audi A4 - B6 Forum - 2002 - 2005 (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?110-Audi-A4-B6-Forum-2002-2005)

As you've only had it a week, I don't think you may have gotten use to the ride quality yet, my A6 is 30mm lower than standard, has /35/19 tyres and after a few months I got use to the ride and our roads aren't exactly the best in NI.

[Chaz71]

Thks, all sound advice, particularly my familiarity with the ride. Will switch to the other forum, check sticker and report back tomorrow.

Very glad to have found you guys!!

[Chaz71]

Hi there,

door sticker is showing 225/45/R17 M+S in addition to the 235/40/R18's

Not sure how Marks and Spencer get in there, but guess it means something! Am in hospital tomorrow for back surgery (our roads really are bad) so might be off air for a couple of days.

Next problem will be choosing wheels and the right tyres.Experience and guidance welcomed.

Have spotted a few other folk reporting great ride transformation by switching to smaller wheels, so am encouraged I am heading in the right direction......

Cheers, C

[zollaf]

mud and snow, or winter tyres. how much of a gap between your brake caliper and rim. if there is hardly any gap then 17's won't fit well.

[Chaz71]

Thanks zollaf,

something new I have learnt today, and of course M&S now makes perfect sense. If Audi recommend a 17 inch wheel for winter tyres, presumably I don't need to worry too much about brake caliper clearance? Or am I in danger of missing something here? That was my biggest concern when I started this investigation, and it seems that much of the community shares that concern. I could always go to my local *******, but for some strange reason I trust the end users rather than the supplier...........!

Presumably of course the wheels need to have the same ET rating, but I note that was not mentioned on the sticker in the door jamb. Research suggests that it is +42.

Thanks for all the help from the forum, much appreciated, C

[Doc B]

If the sticker about tyre sizes was put there by Audi then that size wheel will fit. The S4 has bigger brakes so it'll be neat....

I have a 1.8T quattro sport & the standard wheel/tyre for that is 235/45 x 17 with a 42 or 43 offset. Mine has the 312mm front discs (smallet than yours) & the winter tyres are quoted as using 16" wheels.

[Embisix]

Surprised to see 225/45 R17! The established 17 inch tyre size for all other B6 models is 235/45 R17...

Go here Tyre Size Calculator (http://tire-size-conversion.com/tyre-size-calculator/) and compare the sizes between your 18's and the 17's on the sticker and you'll see that a 225/45 R17 will throw your speedo out more as it's almost 1/2 inch smaller in overall diameter.

Also with an S4, surely you want as much footpint as you can get.

As long as you can get a 17 inch rim over the brakes/caliper and the Offest (ET number) and PCD is correct, you'll be fine.

[Chaz71]

Do the smaller wheels make for a better ride? perhaps I should get some red calipers........

[Chaz71]

Hmm, would much prefer 235's, so how come Audi sticker says 225? Is that a narrower tyre just for winter conditions? Doc B is running a 235 as standard, so in theory the S4 could too, would you agree?

I was thinking the smaller wheel but bigger tyre would result in par for the speedo, will use calculator and check.

Should I talk to the dealer?

Cheers all, C

[Chaz71]

Hi Guys,

I did did write a couple of replies last night, but have failed to post them somehow due to my lack of tech skills.

DocB, did you get a notable improvement to the ride quality with the smaller wheels?

Embisix, delighted to hear about 235's for the reasons you present, anyone any idea why Audi go 225's? Is this just a narrower tyre fir winter conditions? DocB is running 235's, so in theory why not on an S4? Do I need to talk to the dealer, or is the knowledge already out there?

just about to head to surgery, back later- I hope.....

Cheers all, C

[Doc B]

DocB, did you get a notable improvement to the ride quality with the smaller wheels?



I haven't tried my car with smaller wheels/bigger tyres so can't comment on that but the car does handle well on the standard 235/45 x 17 set up (they have pirelli p-zero rossos all round). Where I live is full of pot holes & speed bumps & I have no complaints about this set up.

On a slightly differewnt note my wife's car is a 2008 Passat 2.0TDi (140). It has the same size wheel & tyre combo inc the pirellis. I have just changed these for 16" alloys wearing winter tyres (the recommended size). Very similar feel to original setup on this car (but bear in mind that it's much softer than my A4).

Don't know if this helps..... I guess it depends on how you drive your car?

[adamss24]

Thanks zollaf,

something new I have learnt today, and of course M&S now makes perfect sense. If Audi recommend a 17 inch wheel for winter tyres, presumably I don't need to worry too much about brake caliper clearance? Or am I in danger of missing something here? That was my biggest concern when I started this investigation, and it seems that much of the community shares that concern. I could always go to my local *******, but for some strange reason I trust the end users rather than the supplier...........!

Presumably of course the wheels need to have the same ET rating, but I note that was not mentioned on the sticker in the door jamb. Research suggests that it is +42.

Thanks for all the help from the forum, much appreciated, C
If you need to swap wheels then i have a couple of sets of 17" wheels that might interest you ! All came of a4/a6 but i have a b6 s4 so i could try brake clearances ! On my v6 tdi with s4 brakes i had 17" wheels with loads of clearance. I went to 20" wheels though so my brakes look small now !

[Chaz71]

Cheers adamss24,

I'm back from surgery, I won't be driving for while, but got plenty time to sort this problem out.

Very much like your suggestion, I'm reluctant to buy a set of 17 inch wheels without doing a check first, though I guess I shouldn't be too concerned as Audi recommend a 17 inch wheel for the winter tires.

20 inch wheels - I guess you must have back elastic bands around the rims! I'm looking at Wolfrace Torque wheels in gun metal which I think will go well with the car, which is grey

http://www.caraudioni.com/alloy-wheels-wolfrace-alloy-wheels-wolfrace-torque-gun-metal-c-73_985_2408/wolfrace-torque-7-5x17-inch-alloy-wheels-gun-metal-set-of-4-p-10768

got any photos of the car on 20 inches?

Best from my hospital bed, C

[Chaz71]

Hi all,

See below input from a different forum, I accept that everyone is can have their own view, but what you think of the narrower tire option below?

Personally, after riding on 245/45/17 I chose to go with 225/50/17. Very little speedo difference and a very supple ride indeed. Look better too although I cannot explain that.

My gut feel is to go with the 235/45's, but always interested to take others' advice.

Cheers, delighted to be back home now, and hopefully driving again soon.
C

[adamss24]

Cheers adamss24,

I'm back from surgery, I won't be driving for while, but got plenty time to sort this problem out.

Very much like your suggestion, I'm reluctant to buy a set of 17 inch wheels without doing a check first, though I guess I shouldn't be too concerned as Audi recommend a 17 inch wheel for the winter tires.

20 inch wheels - I guess you must have back elastic bands around the rims! I'm looking at Wolfrace Torque wheels in gun metal which I think will go well with the car, which is grey

http://www.caraudioni.com/alloy-wheels-wolfrace-alloy-wheels-wolfrace-torque-gun-metal-c-73_985_2408/wolfrace-torque-7-5x17-inch-alloy-wheels-gun-metal-set-of-4-p-10768

got any photos of the car on 20 inches?

Best from my hospital bed, C
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/adamss24/DSC_0033_zps534609ac.jpg (http://s840.photobucket.com/user/adamss24/media/DSC_0033_zps534609ac.jpg.html)
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/adamss24/DSC_0032_zpsff743979.jpg (http://s840.photobucket.com/user/adamss24/media/DSC_0032_zpsff743979.jpg.html)
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/adamss24/DSC_0031_zpse3d83aa2.jpg (http://s840.photobucket.com/user/adamss24/media/DSC_0031_zpse3d83aa2.jpg.html)
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/adamss24/DSC_0030_zps44f2ac9a.jpg (http://s840.photobucket.com/user/adamss24/media/DSC_0030_zps44f2ac9a.jpg.html)
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/adamss24/DSC_0034_zpsd85f6d2e.jpg (http://s840.photobucket.com/user/adamss24/media/DSC_0034_zpsd85f6d2e.jpg.html)

[bobfish45]

Your brakes will fit inside a 17" rim, and though 235 section tyres are audi standard,225 section are a more positive ride.As for rims, you will see quite a few sets of audi 17's on ebay. The five spoke star type is the correct offset.

[Chaz71]

Hi there,

The saga continues. After lots of continued discussion with tyre vendors etc, I'm being told that, the only 17 inch ties that Audi endorse on a B6 S4 are 205/50/R17's or 225/45/R17's. I have still not found anybody who can determine what wheels (beyond OEM Audi) will actually fit the car. Lots of people saying you've got to clear the brake calipers, but no one promising me that any particular wheel they can sell me will clear the brake calipers. Offset confirmed at +45. Camskill, who I approached for tyres, told me that unless the tire/wheel size was sanctioned by DVLA and my insurers, I would be invalidating my insurance, and they were reluctant to sell me anything beyond the approved tire. They are unable/reluctant to tell me what a suitable wheel size would be, and it is now the width which appears to be the outstanding determining factor, i.e. 6J 7J 8J etc.

I'm now talking to one of the alloy wheel specialists, but of course am slightly cynical, in that I recognise there primary raison d'être is to sell me a set of wheels.

Never seem to have this difficulty buying aftermarket wheels for my BMW's!

Cheers, C

[adamss24]

I have a s4 and i have a couple of sets of 17" wheels i could swap with you, let me know what are you after !

[Chaz71]

Cheers, thanks for the thought, what model are they? I have the hots for Wolfrace Norano Polar and Dotz Mugello?

Trying to move away from the Audi OEM ones which I find a bit boring...........

Thks, C

[adamss24]

I have OEM wheels mate, you want posh aftermarket wheels...

[Chaz71]

Cheers Adamss24,

Yep, those Audi wheels are dull dull dull, and expensive (unless preloved) thanks tho, appreciate the offer, C