Just purchased an A4 Avant. The tire size is 225 50 17 - what size should I go with for winter/tires rims?

 

I've only ever used all-season tires so this is just my 2c worth. Traditional thinking used to be go with a narrower tire and sometimes change the rim size as well.

Given that our Audis have a sports package as an option, which is usually a wider tire on a larger rim, "sizing down" would put you back at the same width/rim you currently have on a non-sports model. You may also have brake clearance issues when reducing rim size.

So what am I ultimately saying - put a winter tire of the same size as what you have and use good driving techniques to stay safe; I bet the right winter driving technique has a bigger safety impact than whether you have a 215 vs 225 vs 235 width tire etc.

http://www.tirerack.com shows a good range of winter tires in the 225/50/R17 size.

 

Go with 205/16's. The narrower contact patch will provide you with far better traction in snow. A set of winter wheels will save the summer wheels from winter's harsh conditions and the smaller tires will save you money allowing to pay for 16 wheels. This website will help: Tire Calculations

 

I have a B8 Avant with Sport package (18's for now) and my winter tires are the same as your stocks (225/50/17) ....I'm not sure our cars can even safely go to a 16......I asked around before I bought (my winters) and the consensus was that this was the smallest/narrowest dimensions that keeps the speedo accurate and the brakes clear.

 

You may be right about B8's as they have bigger brakes than B7's. My GF's B7 A4 has 16's for winters (Sport Edition wheels). The sales manager at the local stealership suggested that some 16's would fit the B8 but I havent yet tried test fitting them on my mom's brand new B8. The offset of the wheel is key in order to clear the calipers.

 

I just posted this in another topic. Keep in mind any future upgrades. Winter tires will likely do 3+ seasons. So if you plan on doing big brake upgrade in the future and you buy 16's you may be SOL.

 

Good point although the brakes in the B7 are awesome (havent driven the B8 yet). Aside from the bling factor, I have a tough time understanding why anyone other than a track junkie would consider upgrading the B8 brakes ...

 

Look for a sticker on one of the front doors or door pillars (on my B6 it's on the passenger "B" pillar) it will tell you what size wheels you can use on your car. Use the size it references as "M+S" tires. These will likely be narrower. Narrower tires are better in snow. Think about skis, wider ones provide more float, narrower ones will sink and cut in. Can you imagine trying to water ski with cross country skis? I have 235/45 17's for summer, 215/55 16 for winter (though 205 would be good, and I could even use 195/65 15's as per the door sticker).

Hope this helps!

 

Update: 16's will fit over the B8 brakes !

 

Bullshit!!!.......Really?