Wheel dilemma, opinions wanted

[dparm]

Right now I have the OEM "Avus III" wheels on my S4 (mounted to winter tires). They're a bit beat up from some track events, curb mishaps, etc. I already ordered a set of RS6 replica wheels to replace them for summer use but now I am not sure what I want to do.

I'm worried the new wheels will get ruined quickly from my ultra-aggressive brake pads. But if I switch the 6-spokers back over for summer they'll need to get refinished. I can also get the 5-spoke wheels painted the optional factory "Black Optics" (gunmetal).



1. 6-spoke wheels for winter, 5-spoke wheels for summer
2. 6-spoke wheels for summer (get refinished), 5-spoke wheels for winter
3. 6-spoke wheels for winter, 5-spoke wheels for summer and paint them OEM grey
4. other?

BTW if it matters, the 5-spoke wheels have a more aggressive offset of +30 vs the stock +45.

 

[citationxeleven]

I vote for Pic 3.

 

[dparm]

Alternate photos, if it helps.

 

[ls1mike]

I like the 3rd option.

 

[rshunter]

Make it easy on yourself. Run the Avus in the winter and the RS6 in the summer. You'll also have the advantage of a bit wider track while running your summer tires. The RS6 also "freshen" the look of the car, while the Avus tend to date it a bit.

 

[dparm]

The gray color was optional as part of the "Black Optics" pack which meant blacked-out grilles, window trim, and exhaust tips. They're actually RS6 wheels but were optional on some later S4s and other cars. Audi is big on sharing wheels.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: rshunter
Make it easy on yourself. Run the Avus in the winter and the RS6 in the summer. You'll also have the advantage of a bit wider track while running your summer tires. The RS6 also "freshen" the look of the car, while the Avus tend to date it a bit.


Strange, most of the Audi guys say the opposite -- that the Avus wheels are a great look that isn't shared with any other vehicle, and the RS6 style is bland and used on too many cars.

 

[Kaie]

I like the third option....

However i would take it a bit further and get a wider wheel or get wheel spacers to push them out a bit. Then id adjust my suspension a tad lower. =P

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: rshunter
Make it easy on yourself. Run the Avus in the winter and the RS6 in the summer. You'll also have the advantage of a bit wider track while running your summer tires. The RS6 also "freshen" the look of the car, while the Avus tend to date it a bit.


Strange, most of the Audi guys say the opposite -- that the Avus wheels are a great look that isn't shared with any other vehicle, and the RS6 style is bland and used on too many cars.

There's a reason that the RS6 style is so popular. The Avus may be different, but it is also OLD...

 

[dparm]

I think their point was that the car loses some of its uniqueness as an S4 if you slap wheels on it that come on A4s, Q5s, and other more mainstream vehicles. But I do agree that it's a classic look and seems to work well on many cars.

How is poor weather performance impacted by a wider track (same tire size)?

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I think their point was that the car loses some of its uniqueness as an S4 if you slap wheels on it that come on A4s, Q5s, and other more mainstream vehicles. But I do agree that it's a classic look and seems to work well on many cars.

How is poor weather performance impacted by a wider track (same tire size)?

Well, it won't make a change that'll have you going "WOW!", but there is an effect. The 30mm difference means you'll have a track about 1.2 inches wider with the RS6. A wider track will "soften" the loading of the outside tires during cornering. It also has an effect like that of stiffening the anti-roll bars. These are both good things in the dry as it helps to make the inside tires handle more of the cornering load.

A narrower track, as with the Avus, increases the loading on the outside wheel giving you more "bite" when transitioning into a corner. It has the effect of softening the anti-roll bars, allowing the weight to transfer more readily. That pushes the tire more solidly onto the pavement, maximizing the available grip. That's why you'll notice that rally cars use wheels with a very high positive offset when running in snow and ice. Sometimes the offsets are so high that the mounting surface is outside the outer rim flange!

That's the quick and dirty version...

 

[dparm]

Thanks rshunter, sounds like the OEM +45 is better for my winter tires.

 

[FZ1]

Come on,man. It's just transportation. The oem silver is the best color,unless you belong to a gang.

 

[97tbird]

1 and 2 (from 2nd set pf pics) both look good -
Black wheels are not for that car. Looks out of place.

 

[Boczech]

Option 3 is cool