20" Winter tyres

[SGH1]

I'm wondering what the forum's perspective on this is: I'm contemplating buying a set of Michelin Alpin 20" winter tyres to use on my existing wheels. Typically, if there's a lot of snow and ice, I'd either not take the car out, or use my wife's focus, but I recognise that there are wider benefits of using winter tyres than just traction in snow/ice. I'm keen to maintain the looks of my car, but don't want to waste quite a lot of cash for vanity, or a product that might be compromised anyway by being 20" particularly as it would be for convenience rather than necessity - anyone have opinions on this?

[Guest 2]

The general concensus is to go down the sizes and get the correct narrower tyres within the correct rolling circumference of your original tyres.


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[SGH1]

Thanks Chris, probably a cheaper option too, I'll look into that also.

[retired99]

High performance wide tyres as fitted will be very poor in snow and ice. 4WD gives you traction to move around, it does nothing to help you steer and stop.

20” winter tyres will be a huge improvement over the summer tyres in these conditions. They will also be better when it’s cold and wet; not by such a large margin as in the snow but an improvement on the standard tyres nonetheless.

You could possibly fit narrower tyres to the existing rims which would help a bit but you should check with Audi that they are happy with a size change and your insurance might also be interested.

To get the best performance improvement you need to go for smaller narrower wheels, these are what Audi sell as winter wheel / tyre combinations.

Consider speed ratings. Many winter tyres, not all, have lower speed ratings, often ‘H’ which is about 130mph, than summer tyres.

I’ve used winter wheels / tyres for years because of ski trips and visits to friends / relatives in southern Germany and they really do make a difference.

I live in Surrey and if it wasn’t for those trips it would be a 50:50 decision as to whether to fit them or not, especially with access to another car. Looks like you live in a colder part of the UK so the decision could be easier to make.

[daycartes]

I didn't change my summer tyres on my C6 quattro tiptronic 2.7 and it never slipped. I drove for 10 miles on ice in the very cold winter we had a couple of years ago to a log cabin in the middle of nowhere on New Year's Eve and the 4x4 behind me struggled to keep up. I drove in a whiteout earlier this year (January) and I went past numerous cars, buses vans and lorries by the roadway without any hassle whatsoever. Instead of braking I used the flappy paddles to slow down. If you want to buy new tyres then that is your choice but driving a quattro is an amazing experience. Unfortunately I could only afford a 2WD C7. I shan't drive it in the snow. I'll get the bus.
I've assumed that the BiTdI is tiptronic?/ STronic? I daren't look at one 'cos I would have to mortgage the house.

[Eddo1968]

I had several hairy experiences in the past with my old A4 Allroad in snow and icy conditions, so eventually bought a set of winters which made all the difference. Quattro appeared to be all but useless when the 18" tyres weren't gripping, which I sometimes found. I now live in Switzerland where winter tyres are mandatory. I was thinking of getting a set of 17" instead of the 19" that I currently have, however the cheapest option was to buy the 19s and they change them in October and April. They really are amazing and it feels rock solid in even the harshest conditions here.

[ukgroucho]

Traction with quattro is amazing - even on 'regular' tyres. But make no mistake, stopping is hard. i know that Daycartes is a proponent of using engine breaking but the reality is that regular tyres just don't 'Bite' enough.. I've had personal experience of this and also found a bunch of discussion on other forums where they confirm that winter tyres are the only answer.

For my part I bought a complete set of wheels with part worn winter tyres from eBay germany thanks to the guidance of a fellow forum member. Its a nice way to go as you get slimmer wheels, so they COULD accommodate chains if you needed them, or really felt you had to have them, but it's gonna be pretty sh1tty at that point. But overall you bolt em on and go.. split tyres wear between winter and summer tyres and get the chance to clean up each set of alloys properly (off the car) once a year :)

[Steve82]

Whats the recommended winter wheel/tyre size for the Black Edition A6? Original tyre is 255/35/20.

[Guest 2]

What size do you want to use?

All sizes compatible with your particular car are listed in the drivers front door jam.

[Steve82]

Probably 19", I have 235/40/18 from my current car but thought they would look small on the A6.

I just ordered the car so cant look in the door jam.

[Guest 2]

For all you'll have them on during the year and if they're the correct size then why not use them?

[Whippy53]

Sorry? I don't quite understand, you've ordered a be, but you don't know what wheels you've ordered?

[Steve82]

I've ordered a BE that will come with 255/35/20 tyres on 20" Rotors

What I would like to know is the recommended size of winter wheel/tyre combo to use?

[Guest 2]

Did I not just answer that?

[ukgroucho]

I'll repeat my previous comment... Go to ebay Germany and search - if you do it in Google Chrome it can translate for you.

You can pick up sets of A6 C7 winter wheels and tyres (genuine Audi fitment) at quite a reasonable price.... and no need to worry about telling your insurance company or messing with your audi warranty.

The only downside is that you need somewhere to store the second set of wheels - but the same would be true of a second set of tyres.

e.g. audi a6 winter reifen | eBay (http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R2.TR10.TRC0.A0 .H0.Xaudi+a6+winter+&_nkw=audi+a6+winter+reifen&_sacat=0&_from=R40)

[Whippy53]

I've ordered a BE that will come with 255/35/20 tyres on 20" Rotors

What I would like to know is the recommended size of winter wheel/tyre combo to use?

Ahhhh, right, sorry.

[Steve82]

Did I not just answer that?

No, you said to use the tyres I have but I wanted to know what Audi recommend.

From what I can gather its 225/50/18 or 235/45/19

[Steve82]

I'll repeat my previous comment... Go to ebay Germany and search - if you do it in Google Chrome it can translate for you.

You can pick up sets of A6 C7 winter wheels and tyres (genuine Audi fitment) at quite a reasonable price.... and no need to worry about telling your insurance company or messing with your audi warranty.

The only downside is that you need somewhere to store the second set of wheels - but the same would be true of a second set of tyres.

e.g. audi a6 winter reifen | eBay (http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R2.TR10.TRC0.A0 .H0.Xaudi+a6+winter+&_nkw=audi+a6+winter+reifen&_sacat=0&_from=R40)

Thanks, Ive used German Ebay for stuff before so aware of that. It was more what size I needed, think Im sorted now tho

[Big Gaz]

I have 255/40/19 on my A6 and have had no issues. Easy rule is for every inch smaller on wheel add 5mm on to tyre depth so 20" =35, 19"=40, 18" =45 etc. As for width of tyre on an A6 it is not advisable to drop below 235 (so Audi tech informed me).

[neilos100]

I have 255/40/19 on my A6 and have had no issues. Easy rule is for every inch smaller on wheel add 5mm on to tyre depth so 20" =35, 19"=40, 18" =45 etc. As for width of tyre on an A6 it is not advisable to drop below 235 (so Audi tech informed me).

Except for the 225s that Audi recommend for the 17 inch wheel size ;)

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[birdmansa6]

Sorry wrote post on wrong post. Do hhh. I ll be dangerous if I had a brain.

[Scott K]

Except for the 225s that Audi recommend for the 17 inch wheel size ;)

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I was told that the Biturbo wouldn't take a 17"-18" was the smallest due to the brakes,

[neilos100]

I was told that the Biturbo wouldn't take a 17"-18" was the smallest due to the brakes,

Yes, sorry my mistake...was talking about the C6 but just realised this is a C7 thread...sorry to confuse!

Neil:Blush2: