Pete

"Ramzi Nassar" <Ramzi.Nassar@att.net> wrote in message
news:10m00cagg5bdoc5@corp.supernews.com...
> Thanks for the reply. Does that apply for the 7" and 7.5"?
> Seems like as the wheel width changes, the ET should change also.
> What is safer - a larger ET - correct?

That ET will work for both.

You don't want an ET that's too large because you'll have clearance
issues against susp. components on the inside. And you don't want an ET
that's too small because you'll have clearance issues against the
fenders.

And I also agree with Dave... while 215/50/17 will work, you're giving
up overall stability with that size. Personally I think I'd go for
235/45/17. S4 is a heavy car and it needs wide enough tires to be
stable - both when cornering and when driving at higher speeds.

The benefit of 215/50 over 235/45 in the snow will be marginal, IMO.
And in any case, low clearance will prevent you from going through any
kind of deep snow before the tires will.

If you go with 235/45/17, don't buy 7"-wide rims. Get 7.5" at least.

Cheers,

Pete

smoke

On 03 Oct 2004 14:02:12 GMT, davplac@aol.comPirate (Dave LaCourse)
wrote:

>Rsmzi writes:
>
>>Most websites do not list the 2005 and if they do, the 17" size is 235/45-17
>>which is a bit too wide for my taste in snow.
>
>I've been driving Quattros for 20 years, and while snow tires are very
>important, especially in New England, I have never worried about the width of
>the tire. I think you should stick with the 235/40-18, remembering that the
>car will be used 90% of the time on clean roads. I know that a more narrow
>tire is better in snow, and I have gone that way a few times, but in the long
>run, it really didn't matter. You'll be giving up some dry road performance
>with the snows, of course, but you'll be giving up more with a narrower tire.
>I live in Mass and we get far more snow than you do in CT. I have 255/40-18
>snows for my RS6. I went without snows last winter. Quattro will get you just
>about anywhere you want to go without snows, but stopping isn't very good.
>d;o), nor is it much fun. d;o(
>Dave

Dave,

I respect your longer experience, but must disagree regarding the lack
of benefit of winter tires (I live in PA but do get up to your neck of
the woods, etc). I did not change to winter tires on my A4 Avant, but
with my A6 I did. I also managed to keep the same rims by making a
deal with my local Goodyear dealer to the extent that I didn't have to
pay to swap out the tires in the spring and fall. I did this so I
could get their winter V-rated tires rather than being forced to go to
some H-rated poor performance tire.

Regretfully the Goodyear dealer will not make the same dealer again.
So I am in the same position as Rsmzi, looking for tires and wheels.
Ken W.

Men are like a fine wine. They start out as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.
- Dave Barry

Philly Hoodlum©#32
'01 Yamaha VStar Custom
'70 Norton Commando
'98 A4 Avant
'01 A6 27T
'05 Sr Cab (waiting delivery)

smoke

On 03 Oct 2004 14:02:12 GMT, davplac@aol.comPirate (Dave LaCourse)
wrote:

>Rsmzi writes:
>
>>Most websites do not list the 2005 and if they do, the 17" size is 235/45-17
>>which is a bit too wide for my taste in snow.
>
>I've been driving Quattros for 20 years, and while snow tires are very
>important, especially in New England, I have never worried about the width of
>the tire. I think you should stick with the 235/40-18, remembering that the
>car will be used 90% of the time on clean roads. I know that a more narrow
>tire is better in snow, and I have gone that way a few times, but in the long
>run, it really didn't matter. You'll be giving up some dry road performance
>with the snows, of course, but you'll be giving up more with a narrower tire.
>I live in Mass and we get far more snow than you do in CT. I have 255/40-18
>snows for my RS6. I went without snows last winter. Quattro will get you just
>about anywhere you want to go without snows, but stopping isn't very good.
>d;o), nor is it much fun. d;o(
>Dave

Dave,

I respect your longer experience, but must disagree regarding the lack
of benefit of winter tires (I live in PA but do get up to your neck of
the woods, etc). I did not change to winter tires on my A4 Avant, but
with my A6 I did. I also managed to keep the same rims by making a
deal with my local Goodyear dealer to the extent that I didn't have to
pay to swap out the tires in the spring and fall. I did this so I
could get their winter V-rated tires rather than being forced to go to
some H-rated poor performance tire.

Regretfully the Goodyear dealer will not make the same dealer again.
So I am in the same position as Rsmzi, looking for tires and wheels.
Ken W.

Men are like a fine wine. They start out as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.
- Dave Barry

Philly Hoodlum©#32
'01 Yamaha VStar Custom
'70 Norton Commando
'98 A4 Avant
'01 A6 27T
'05 Sr Cab (waiting delivery)