265/30/20 vs. 265/35/20-- zero tire options?

[cundvly]

So I've got 265/30/20s and I've gone the summer/winter route, but the tire options suck and they are real limited. Audi really didn't help us here with tire options- unless you own Pirelli stock. So my question is this, is 265/35 that bad? There looks to be alot more fitment options in this size, and....I can even get an all-season option with the DWS06 available in this size (I'm a DWS06 homer and have it on 3 other of my cars). Save for a larger diameter, what are the downsides? I've got the Black Optics Plus package, and love the 20" wheels, but they are really constrained with the amount of options that are out there with tire sizes. Unfortunately, living in the Cleveland area, running summers only is out of the question. Looking forward to the discussion as I'd like to see if 265/35 is a viable option as that will open up the tires options to us owners with the Black Optics Plus package.

[ffearless]

Your tire will be 1 1/16" larger in diameter. You car will ride about 1/2" higher. That is not all bad. It will be easier to avoid dragging your front bumper over large transitions and parking bumps. You will get through deep snow easier.

[03TLSinCO]

255/35/20s (0.3" smaller diameter) or 275/30/20s (0.2" larger diameter) are better optional sizes. Closer to our 265/30/20s.

[cundvly]

255/35/20s (0.3" smaller diameter) or 275/30/20s (0.2" larger diameter) are better optional sizes. Closer to our 265/30/20s.

I'll check out the 255/35/20. I'm sure that they'll be a lot more options. Thanks

[NaiveTurtle]

If you're looking for a 20" winter tire you're going to pay a fortune...

What front brakes do you have? I believe the stock brakes will allow an 18" wheel which would make for cheap winter tires. I was running 19" Blizzaks and they were rather expensive.

[cundvly]

If you're looking for a 20" winter tire you're going to pay a fortune...

What front brakes do you have? I believe the stock brakes will allow an 18" wheel which would make for cheap winter tires. I was running 19" Blizzaks and they were rather expensive.

My car is completely stock- stock S5 calipers- but I did just replace the pads with some Akebono ceramics. I'm runnning Pirelli Sotozero3 winter tires right now in 265/30/20 and they were expensive- roughly $1300. I've got Pirelli P Zero for my summer set. I'm just trying to plan ahead because I know that the P Zeros will wear quickly and there really doesn't appear to be many options in this size. Tire Rack isn't even showing a winter tire now and the only one that I could find back in December was the Sotozero. It's a fine tire, but I would rather just drive with all-seasons. We get a good bit of snow here, but they really know how to clear the roads and it's really not an issue. I've used the DWS06 for years on other cars and it's perfect for here. I'd love to try it on 275/30/20 but when I bought my car, I had the selling dealer fit a set on in that size and they said that it didn't fit the wheel.

[cundvly]

255/35/20s (0.3" smaller diameter) or 275/30/20s (0.2" larger diameter) are better optional sizes. Closer to our 265/30/20s.

You and I have the same car- just different colors. Let me know if you try the 275/30 route- either with summers or all-seasons. They have alot more options out there in that size. I'm not sure why Audi picked a 265/30 for our Black Optics package, but it really is an odd ball size.