So I need help on this. I would like to keep things looking stock (I think anyways). Right now I have wheels narrowed down to AU530 19" GunMetal Machined Face ET35 Wheels Set and tires are Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D. Any suggestions?

 

I just got a set of 18" Gunmetal RS4 replicas and Michelin Alpin PA3 tires.

 

Where did you buy them? They look sweet.

 

Thanks. I just got them today.


Car Rims, Alloy Wheels, Auto Tires Shop, All kind of Rim/ Tire/ Wheel Shop, Brampton, Toronto, Ontario, Mississauga, Vaughan, North York, Hamilton, Canada

The shop is here in Brampton. Good guy and knows what he's doing. Has a wide selection.

 

I just picked up 18" ASA RS4 reps with Dunlop 3Ds. The PA3s might be a little too light for snow here in Ottawa.

2011 AUDI A4 QUATTRO S-LINE WINTER TIRE & RIM PACKAGE (DUNLOP 3D: *** TIRE & RIM PKGS *** - AUDI - 2011 AUDI A4 QUATTRO S-LINE WINT - Ottawa Tires Direct - Your #1 place for Winter Tires in Ottawa

 

So I am pretty much set on the Dunlops. What did you pay for the tire and wheel package? Can you upload a few pics.

 

I'm looking to get a snow package (tire/rim combo) as well. Anyone recommend a retailer around Richmond Hill. I hear Steelcase Tire was recommended in the past. Anyone have another retailer recommendation (for comparison shopping). The dealer gave me a quote on a set of 17 inch wheel/tire combo for slightly under $1,600 for alloy replicas and Italian brand snow tire (starts with M) but I'm worried it may be too close for the B8 S4 calipers (I assume it probably meets minimum clearance).

Also, I have the optional ti wheels, which looks great, IMO but thinking maybe using them for winter and buying a more aggressive looking set (like VMR or BBS in 19 or 20 inch) gun metal colour. However, any opinion on the traction in snow vs. a narrower tire that a 18 or 17 inch would provide? Anyway have experience with driving a 19 inch snow tire and would like to share how the traction is in snow?

Thanks.

 

Hey Carbuff, i'm the same situation as you. I have decided to go with 17's or 18's for the following reasons.

1. If you hit a curb..17's or 18's will have a higher tire wall (more forgiving i guess)
2. cheaper to replace a 17 or 18's tire if you blow one out
3. for the price of paying for 19's tire only you can probably get replica rims + tires
4. in a few years when your tires are all used up, it's cheaper to buy 17's 18's

Traction wise i believe the 17's or 18's would be better. I might be going to car craze as well.

 

Thanks for your reply. I shopped around and discovered my audi dealership was recommending Audi A4 replicas wheels and not a name brand tire (Marangoni Tires from Italy) on 17 inches (225/50 R17) to save money over the audi manufacturer's 18 inch set up. Also, I checked out a tire place and they also recommended 17 inch setup with RS4 replicas (gun metal) and Sonny tires over an 18 inch setup for cost savings and traction. Based on two places recommended 17 inch set up, I'm inclined to follow their recommendation and the savings applied to an aftermarket exhaust in the future.

 

For those interested in what 225/50 x 17 winter tires look like with AR1 replica RS4 wheels on a 2011 S4, I have uploaded some pictures. The clearance in the front calipers is tight (approximately 3/16 inch, but with wheel weights to balance, its closer to 1/16 inch). Hopefully, there will be no issues once the wheels get dirty with snow. Aesthetically, the wheels definitely look smaller compared to my OEM upgraded 19 inch ti wheels but I sacrificed looks for function in the snow. However, definitely noticed the driving and traction in dry pavement as the narrower tire felt more loose when turning. I guess time will tell if the compromise between dry and snow traction is worth it driving in Toronto, Canada winters.