Upsizing A7 tires, which would you go with?

[nks979]

Had my '13 A7 for about a week (and nearly 1200 miles already), and I'm thrilled with everything except the tires - these Pirelli p-zeros are absolute garbage, much more vibration on roads with lots of tiny bumps than even my old IS-F which was lowered, stiffened on harder bushings, and had thinner sidewalls. Although the Michelin PSS were incredible tires I'm not quite ready to drop $1200 on tires that wont be great for my constant road trips, was thinking about picking up a set of continental extremecontact DW (softer sidewalls but still a summer tire) but they don't make them in the right size, my A7 is sport pack with the 20" wheels so my options are 275/40s, or 255/35, what would you guys go with? not sure I want to go skinnier even though it wont have a real impact on performance and not sure if the 275/40s would fit easily.
Thanks everyone.

[agent47]

255/35/20 should be good tbh. If you dont want to get the PSS, get the AS3+ or DWS 06

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[Velopod]

The Micheline Pilot Sport A/S 3+ in 275/35-20 might fit what you are looking for (500 AAA wear vs. 300 for the PSS). But, living in AZ, you might not need AS tires? Or do you drive up from Prescott to the snow in the winter just a few times (making a separate winter set definitely not necessary). They aren't super cheap, but not bad and still have very sporty handling.

If you are just going with a soft sidewall max summer tire that is cheaper, the Sumitomo HTRZ III is $143 right now at Tire Rack (and highly rated) in 275/35-20 and a great tire. I ran them on the rear of my previous CTS-V wagon for the softer sidewall for traction.

[nks979]

Already a bit wary of getting some sloppy steering feel even with the DW set, not all that interested in all seasons unless they are just as good feel wise. I'm ok with summer tires just not these Pirellis.

[nks979]

Thanks for the responses, yeah in AZ we get some snow and I do drive up to CO several times a year, but I'm getting a second set for winter. I'm just worried about having responsive/reasonably grippy tires that aren't making tons of vibrations and creating those obnoxious interior rattles. My PSS were good in this regard but I definitiely don't mind something a bit softer on the A7.

[madyspop]

I have a great condition set of PSS in 265/35/20 I have in the classifieds, heck of a price for a great set of tires.

[nks979]

The Micheline Pilot Sport A/S 3+ in 275/35-20 might fit what you are looking for (500 AAA wear vs. 300 for the PSS). But, living in AZ, you might not need AS tires? Or do you drive up from Prescott to the snow in the winter just a few times (making a separate winter set definitely not necessary). They aren't super cheap, but not bad and still have very sporty handling.

If you are just going with a soft sidewall max summer tire that is cheaper, the Sumitomo HTRZ III is $143 right now at Tire Rack (and highly rated) in 275/35-20 and a great tire. I ran them on the rear of my previous CTS-V wagon for the softer sidewall for traction.

I take back what I said, did some more reading on the A/S 3+ and it looks like what I'm looking for, any experience with ride quality on these? Couldn't find much info on how they compare to what I currently have. Good suggestion

[agent47]

I take back what I said, did some more reading on the A/S 3+ and it looks like what I'm looking for, any experience with ride quality on these? Couldn't find much info on how they compare to what I currently have. Good suggestion

I am running the A/S3+ on my A6. Its a big improvement on the A/S3 . Grip is awesome and ride quality is quieter/softer compared to the PSS. I ran PSS on my 2013 A6 and there is no match to their grip. I switched to the A/S since I wasn't gonna track the car anymore.

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[nks979]

Yeah this definitely wont be a track car, not too concerned about max grip since you never really will test it on the street.

That is exactly what I wanted to hear, thank you. Going to go put in an order on them now. Thanks again everybody.

[madyspop]

The AS3 is nowhere near as good as the original versions. The more miles you drive the louder they get, I'd do the DWS06 before the AS3 without a doubt.

[Velopod]

Yeah this definitely wont be a track car, not too concerned about max grip since you never really will test it on the street.

That is exactly what I wanted to hear, thank you. Going to go put in an order on them now. Thanks again everybody.

If it helps you further: I've had the original DWS (not the 06) on a 335ix (modded) to get rid of the horrible stock Bstone run flats and ran the stock P-Zeroes on 21" on my recent SQ5. Had Michelin Pilot Sports stock on a CTS-V (then the Sumitomos I mentioned since that car destroyed rear tires). I'm a big Michelin fan, but you have to match the tire to your intended purpose (which is never easy as there is always some compromise to make). I will also be putting on some A/S 3+ tires next week on my current S7 (with stock Eagle F1s I don't like) after much research and tire experience. I'll keep the Pilot Super Sports on the Boxter S ;-)

I actually thought the P-Zeros matched surprisingly well on a 4,500 lbs small SUV (surprisingly). I used Blizzaks for the winter (and they are for sale!). Then again, the S7 weighs about the same!

The Pilots Sports (and SS) are great, but also very short lived (figure on 15K realistically) and if you are doing lots of highway miles as you mentioned, not a great match.

I thought the DWS wore great, but I think the A/S 3+ will also and with much better sidewall response. Definitely lost some steering feel/initial bite with the DWS (but I don't think absolute grip which, like you, was the least of my concerns). I was not a fan of that, but the ride was indeed softer.

[nks979]

I generally prefer them too, on the one odd occasion I got one that wasn't up to par they stood by their product and overnighted a new tire + an extra so they would match up front. I was on track to get between 25-30k out of the PSS i had on my ISF too, think ill be sticking with michelin products.

[agent47]

I generally prefer them too, on the one odd occasion I got one that wasn't up to par they stood by their product and overnighted a new tire + an extra so they would match up front. I was on track to get between 25-30k out of the PSS i had on my ISF too, think ill be sticking with michelin products.

Same with me. Their warranty is absolutely kickass. The only thing is that regardless of whatever brand we get, quattro does tend to chew tires fast. My PSS were shot in 19k mi. But Michelin prorated a new set for me at 33% discount.

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[tcm glx]

If you choose to go 275/35/20 , I have a set of DWS06 with under 1k Miles available for cheap. PM ame

[Soft]

If you choose to go 275/35/20 , I have a set of DWS06 with under 1k Miles available for cheap. PM ame

I have 275/35/20 and here in Norway they tend to "track", forcing me to adjust steering all the time.
I believe it's due to road wearing from studded tires. Looks like groves in the road.

[mjfloyd1]

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...y.jsp?ttid=216

[nks979]

I would imagine upsizing from 265 to 275 wouldn't create that much more tracking. And thanks for the offer but I already bought a set of the AS3+.


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[tcm glx]

I would imagine upsizing from 265 to 275 wouldn't create that much more tracking. And thanks for the offer but I already bought a set of the AS3+.


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Right on. Post back how you like the AS3

[nks979]

For sure, putting miles on quick as I can so I can take it in for its 45k at the same time, only 2k to go.

[parkstr8]

I was thinking about swapping my stock PZeros for some Michelin PSS. I just want a quieter tire...but I do all highway driving. So not sure the 1300 is worth it as my car just now has 9k on it...so maybe i'll just wait til they need it. The roads here in Dallas are so noisy compared to the roads in Los Angeles. Go figure.

[agent47]

I was thinking about swapping my stock PZeros for some Michelin PSS. I just want a quieter tire...but I do all highway driving. So not sure the 1300 is worth it as my car just now has 9k on it...so maybe i'll just wait til they need it. The roads here in Dallas are so noisy compared to the roads in Los Angeles. Go figure.

Did I hear Dallas?

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[VVG]

So what is the stock tire size here anyway? 255/35/20?

[tenspeed]

So what is the stock tire size here anyway? 255/35/20?

OEM A7 size is 265/35-20

275/35-20 fits with no problem.

[nks979]

Bumping this, not an update as I still don't have the tires on but it is somewhat related, looking to get an OEM 20" rim that I can toss in the back for road trips instead of relying on the donut - anyone have recommendations on where to go to find one? All the "remanufactured oem" sites look a bit sketchy to me and audi wants ~1k. Thanks again.

[madyspop]

Bumping this, not an update as I still don't have the tires on but it is somewhat related, looking to get an OEM 20" rim that I can toss in the back for road trips instead of relying on the donut - anyone have recommendations on where to go to find one? All the "remanufactured oem" sites look a bit sketchy to me and audi wants ~1k. Thanks again.

I have one that I bought for that same reason with a new Pzero tire on it, never even used it.

It's not an S6 wheel though it's off a different model, I'll take a pic tomorrow and post it up.


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[madyspop]

20x9 et37 with a 265/35/20 P zero tire


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[stingvb]

Bumping this, not an update as I still don't have the tires on but it is somewhat related, looking to get an OEM 20" rim that I can toss in the back for road trips instead of relying on the donut - anyone have recommendations on where to go to find one? All the "remanufactured oem" sites look a bit sketchy to me and audi wants ~1k. Thanks again.

Check out this thread. Mike@ngp had an OEM 20" wheel for $200 I believe.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...20-quot-wheels

[bmre90]

I have mine up for sale as i just went thru AG's. PM me for price if interested.
Will post the same in classified as well.
These are Factory 20 inch which come with sport suspension on A7

[nks979]

Update, got the A/S 3+ mounted yesterday and after 200 miles I have to say it is an unbelievable difference over the pirellis. Rougher surface roads that typically made the car vibrate on the pirellis don't really affect it much anymore, and those annoying creases in the road are soaked up so much better. Turn in is a little slower but there really is no perceptible body roll over the pirellis, and it feels much more stable over uneven roads as well, not darting around with every tilt or curve in the road. Feels like a german luxury car should now.

TLDR - This is the way the car should have come from the factory, what you lose in sportiness is made up for 10x in comfort/DD-ability.

[hirzelch]

@nks979 - I know this thread is 2 years gone but hoping for an update on durability of the A/S 3+. Are you still happy with them after driving them for a couple years?

[rexus300]

I could never get the new set of the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ to be road force balanced on my 2016 A7 2 years ago after purchasing them from tirerack. I had vibration at highway speed that was not typical of Michelin quality and the tires were out of round from factory. The original AS3 in size 275/35 R20 were smooth but didnt last more than 25k miles. I now have the new Pilot Sport 4S summer tires size 275/35R20 and wow they are amazing. Super quiet, very smooth at all speed and very good handling while preserve the good ride quality. They are the best summer tires I have ever owned and I have put 8k miles on them so far and no major wear. I use separate 19 inch Hartmann rims with Blizzaks for winter time.