I am the owner of a 2012 A4 with 245/45 R17 four season tires.

Winter is coming, so I need to buy winter wheels/tires.

The dealer proposes 2 wheels/tires options:

1. 225/55 R16
or
2. 225/50 R17

The dealer say the 16in would be better (better traction).

Any thoughts? Should I go with 16 in?

 

Hi,
I would go for the 16" pkg..you possibly will save a little if your are purchasing the tire and mag. I had 17" on my last Audi and never had trouble in snow, kept the OE mags and just changed the tires.

If you are not buying mags you will have to stay with the 17"

 

I don't understand why 16's would offer better traction? The tread width at 225 is the same. It's suggested that a narrower tire will get better traction, but I don't know how much difference you would see with quattro. The 16's will certainly not look as nice...IMO

 

I didn' say you would get better traction with 16" versus 17"...you won't see any difference...its tru that the narrower tire is better in snow...as for the looks, I can't say, maybe the dealer will help there.

 

I doubt the 16s will even fit. How big are your rotors? 16s wont fit my B7

 

Both tire options are 225's so they will be the exact same width...only difference will be that the 16's will have a thicker/higher profile sidewall, which may provide for a marginally more comfortable/softer ride and squishier cornering. Ultimately, I think putting on 16's will look odd, but that's just me.

One option for consideration: slap on the new winter 17's on your stock rims to use as your winter set, sell your all season 17's on kijiji and get some new 18's or 19's rims and rubber for the summer

 

Thank you all for your advice., it helped me. Decided to go with P225/50 R17.

 

Pierre21
I have exactly what will_da_man mentioned...19" mags and tires for summer and for
the winter P225/50/17 mounted on their own mags that I purchased from the audi dealer.
I am getting the winters installed this wednesday.

 

My 225/50/17 are installed with the Audi pachage and look great.

Here are a few pics of the original 19" and then the winters 17"


Forgot to mention..they are Gislaved..nice tire..can't wait to try out in snow/

 

yep, 17's look pretty good, getting mine put on next week!