19's necessary?

The oe 19"s are fine for ride, I had them on my le mans. I now run 20" with 35 profile, they feel the same for ride comfort just fill out the arches really. Its all down to what you want, the A6 is a big car and for me 18" wheels look too small (but that’s my taste).

19" is a good size but 20" also go well and seem to really set the car off, granted it’s not everyone’s taste. I do switch back to the 19"s when I take the car to the South of France.

Swapping over soon as our holiday is fast approaching, I only do this as the 19's have a friendlier off-set and I will be stocking up on the way back with some wine and beer! :D

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Originally Posted by A6sense

Re cheap rubber I must say I usually opt for budget but I guess what we are saying is best to stick to brands I've actually heard of to avoid regular trips to the shop

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Best to stick to brands you've actually heard of to avoid regular trips to the hospital....don't forget that those 4 small patches of rubber are all that connects you to the road. If you spend x thousands of pounds on a premium motor, then don't spend a few hundred on decent rubber......

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Originally Posted by toofunkyhouse

The oe 19"s are fine for ride, I had them on my le mans. I now run 20" with 35 profile, they feel the same for ride comfort just fill out the arches really. Its all down to what you want, the A6 is a big car and for me 18" wheels look too small (but that’s my taste).

19" is a good size but 20" also go well and seem to really set the car off, granted it’s not everyone’s taste. I do switch back to the 19"s when I take the car to the South of France.

Swapping over soon as our holiday is fast approaching, I only do this as the 19's have a friendlier off-set and I will be stocking up on the way back with some wine and beer! :D

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I've been going back and forth so its good to get a few more opinions. From what I gather your saying if I go the 19" oe set up ill hardly notice. Comfort etc will be the same as what im used to on 18's and even with a large heavy load i.e luggage and kids, this won't increase risk of rubbing. So if budget allows go 19's

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Originally Posted by Hex69

Best to stick to brands you've actually heard of to avoid regular trips to the hospital....don't forget that those 4 small patches of rubber are all that connects you to the road. If you spend x thousands of pounds on a premium motor, then don't spend a few hundred on decent rubber......

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I hear you load and clear. Should I always go for XL tyre load when purchasing?

Yes always XL it's one heavy car :)

One thing I noticed a few years back was that the choice of tyre was more than halved when going from 18 to 19, don't know of still true?

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Originally Posted by A6sense

From what I gather your saying if I go the 19" oe set up ill hardly notice. Comfort etc will be the same as what im used to on 18's

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depends on the suspension being the same for the comparison IMO.........see post 2.

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Originally Posted by MarkTM

^^^Totally agree, esp on an estate, once again IMO :)

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Is that because of aesthetics Mark or because most estates are considered load-luggers? Just trying to understand your perspective, not pick a fight (in case it looks like that in black and white).;)

When I got my first Audi (an RS2) it was the fact that it was an Avant that appealed, and it was an exception because of that. If they had done it as a saloon it wouldn't even have appeared on my radar. I know its horses-for-courses, but its estates that "float my boat" whereas saloons definitely don't. I DO understand anyone thinking the reverse, so it's a bit like Blonde vs Brunette...

The RS2 was only on 17s which at the time didn't look unduly small. My C6 came with 19s which I took off when the tyres were at 4mm. Since then I've run it on 18s, more because I had a spare set and the tyre choice is both larger and cheaper! If this penalty wasn't there, I would gladly run it on my 19s which were no less comfortable in my opinion, but undeniably more prone to damage by virtue of their smaller sidewall.

Like you, I'm happy to explore conversion sizes if that gets me what I'm looking for, and I don't feel embarrassed to say that I'll now consider some tyre brands that in the past (when working for one of the manufacturers) I wouldn't. For example the choice of all-season 245/45 18s is pretty slim but there may be other options if you also consider 235/50 18. And just in case I spark the all-seasons vs winters debate, I'm probably selling the car sometime this year. The 19" RS4/Le Mans wheels might go separately but that's another story...

Aesthetics only as seen through my eyes :)

I can only liken it to me thinking of the A team van when I see one..makes me smile though!

It's funny. I like coupes, but not the Porsche 911 (unless it has a big spoiler), love estates but consider there's a sweet spot for the rake at the rear; but dislike the three box saloon shape.

Wonder what Freud might say as conversely I see the perfect female shape as having negligible back end.

My thoughts on big spoliers were summed up by my son a few years when we were behind a 2002 WRX (in my reflashed Jaguar with a remapped LPG ECU) as the local car wash.

Son - Daddy does that go faster than your car
Me - No son I think we've both got a 5.6 0-60 time, the STI will be quicker though
Son - But, at least they've somewhere to hang their washing! :)