I realize to many the look of 21" alone are the deciding factor but if you're low and flush enough 20s and 19s can look pretty good. I'm also interested in seeing how 19x10.5 with meaty tires and low-ish offset can look.
I just took my S7 for the first drive on IE Stage 1 tune, literally on the way home from getting new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 265/35/20 All Seasons put on, and definitely want the most performance oriented setup vs. just aesthetics alone. By the 3rd turn on my mountain road home I was thinking "these 265 AS ar NOT going to cut it for my desires the rest of the year." Before anyone says "you're just not used to the stage 1 tune" etc. I run 265-295 18's on my 400wtq 3350lb Evo 8 on E85...
Obviously the 33.4lb OEM 20s and the fact that the tires are all seasons aren't optimal for performance, but I am experienced enough with wheel and tire setups to know that as long as tire contact patch is not significantly reduced by going with a relatively smaller diameter and more width and lighter weight, performance is generally improved. Of course larger diameter can also equal larger contact patch at the expense of unsprung weight, inertia, less compliant sidewall (traction for each tire) etc.
Sure the RS7 uses 21" but without the need to fit over the RS7 brakes I am not sure 21" is necessarily a performance improvement in any way over 20." Maybe I am mistaken though?
There are more off the shelf options for lightweight, performance/race oriented wheels in 19 than 20 and 21" also.
So, does anyone have good photos or first hand experience performance comparisons between 19, 20, and 21?
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