AUdi S6 winter wheels and tire package

[overclocked]

I have been contemplating getting a new set of winter wheels and tires package and am currently looking at one of the two choices - OEM from Audi or BBS from Tirerack

The OEM kit Audi sells has the following specs: Four 19 x 7.5" alloy wheels, paired with Continental ContiWinterContact TS 830P AO winter tires measuring 235/45 R19.

On Tirerack I configured a set of winter wheels and tire package for a 2018 S6 and it came up with this nice set of BBS wheels .

Their site configurator recommended: Wheels 19x8.5 (O.E. Diameter) Offset: 32mm, tires are Michelin X-ICE XI3 with size 245/40R19.

The Audi wheels don't look great, the BBS ones are nicer. Which are better for winter conditions - the smaller 235/7.5 inch width of the OEM Audi ones or the larger 245/8.5 Michelin/BBS wheels and tire package.

I live in Illinois, so fairly rough roads to deal with and a fair amount of snow/icy roads.

Appreciate any advice/feedback, thank you.

[Litespeed72]

The X Ice tires are virtually unstoppable when combined with Quattro, I'd go with that combo!

[gk1]

Get what you like. I managed to talk them down quit a bit on the Audi OE set even 5 years ago as they are quite unpopular as you might already know.
Couple advantages of the OE winter setup.
Smaller tires are cheaper at replacement time. (Albeit perhaps not much cheaper than 245's) 235 Conti = $245 vs. 245 X-ICE $260 on special/closeout on tirerack
The setup actually seems to tuck in to the fenders quite a bit....good for snow/salt debris during winter travels.
The wheels themselves are quite robust and heavily clear-coated.
I actually prefer the OE Conti TS830P performance winter tire since I am not constantly driving on snow where a studless winter might do better.

I have also had those BBS SR wheels and they are indeed nice too.

If it were my car, on mostly plowed dry roads in the winter, I'd be tempted to give the 255 Vredestein Wintrac Pro a shot on those same BBS SR wheels. $2500 not bad....

[15 Phantom S6]

I have the exact OEM set-up you reference and I really like the performance in the winter months.. It's one of the few 19" wheels that clear the big brakes of the S6.. I wasn't sure of the Conty tires as I've never had them before, but I like how they handle the cold and snow... I can tell you though I hate the look of the wheels alot.. I probably shouldn't care since its winter, but they take away the sporty look.. I dislike the look of the wheels enough that I might even try to sell my set and use my stock rotor wheels for winter since I have aftermarket summer wheels and my OEM rotor wheels are just sitting there collecting dust..

I can also say that those OEM wheels are strong. I hit a massive pothole and blew out one of the front tires last year. It was such a hard hit and so loud I thought I killed that front wheel and maybe even something in the suspension.. When I had a new tire installed, they checked the wheel and it wasn't bent or warped in any way whatsoever.. I was surprised.. There was cosmetic damage tho, but nothing else..

[overclocked]

Great feedback, thanks! I'm leaning towards the BBS set, let's see.

[gk1]

I can also say that those OEM wheels are strong. I hit a massive pothole and blew out one of the front tires last year. It was such a hard hit and so loud I thought I killed that front wheel and maybe even something in the suspension.. When I had a new tire installed, they checked the wheel and it wasn't bent or warped in any way whatsoever.. I was surprised.. There was cosmetic damage tho, but nothing else..

FWIW this is why I wouldn't use the OE 20's that came with the car for winter duty. They bend too easily. I also have a set in the basement, but two of the wheels are previously bent from summer use. Wishful thinking that one day I'll get them fixed and coated. I had actually bent a third and already had it repaired to which the repair place said they get a lot of them because they bend so easily. When I bent the other two I benched the whole set.

[Serpex13]

I may have a set of Audi rs7 winter rims and tires from Audi if you want to run 20s

[goldenzrule]

Interesting to hear how easily the OE wheels bend. I had two that were bent and supposedly fixed, but the car still rides like shit. These are the wheels I have on my car

https://www.detroitwheelandtire.com/...920-sss-a.html

[gk1]

Interesting to hear how easily the OE wheels bend. I had two that were bent and supposedly fixed, but the car still rides like shit. These are the wheels I have on my car

https://www.detroitwheelandtire.com/...920-sss-a.html

Yep it is not all Audi wheels, but those ones specifically seem to bend easier than most. Even though they look like they shouldn't.
If you can find someone selling the A6 20" they are forged and would make a nice winter set. I don't particularly care for the way they look, but they should be pretty strong.
These:
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-Aluminum-Rims

[telej]

overclocked

What winter wheel and tire setup did you end up with? How did you like them driving over winter?

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

overclocked

What winter wheel and tire setup did you end up with? How did you like them driving over winter?

I’ve got 19” Black OZ Racing wheels with Pirelli Sottozero tires on my 2018 A6. The wheels are a bit lighter than stock, appear to be very strong and have taken two winters in Chicago without any apparent damage to the finish. Purchased from TireRack, and they were delivered two days after I ordered.. wouldn’t hesitate to use these on another car. BBS wheels with Michelin X-Ice tires would have been my first choice, but when ordering winter gear in January, you don’t always have the widest array of options.




Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[crafty]

Interesting to hear how easily the OE wheels bend. I had two that were bent and supposedly fixed, but the car still rides like shit. These are the wheels I have on my car

https://www.detroitwheelandtire.com/...920-sss-a.html

I have these same wheels on the new to me S6, 2 of them are for sure visibly bent, and I think a third is bent even worse but on the inside and not visible given when I moved visibly bent front to the back and the back one to the front when doing a brake job, vibration got WAY worse, like scary bad.

I have a set of these wrapped in Conti DWS06's in my cart and about to check out... $2k shipped seems like a good deal on a pretty light flow formed wheel with good AS tires.

https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Whee...kageFlow=false

I would probably personally go with the BBS tirerack winter wheels BTW, I haven't had great luck with Audi OEM wheels standing up to punishment, and repairs can cost as much or more as a brand new decent third party wheel. Also, maybe the Audis have it too and I missed it, but tire rack has the nice included road hazard warranty. Plus, and this is just IMHO of course, but I think they are much prettier :D. As far as winter performance I can't say... but generally speaking with the winter tires I have tried or read about in the past combined with Quattro, it is hard to get a bad set as long as the reviews of the tire are generally good, so I assume either of these will be great when it comes to performance?

[vapor64]

To be clear, that BBS set suggested by the poster will fit over the big S breaks (sport package)?

Also I like what I'm seeing regarding the Michelin X-Ice X13's.....those will fit on the BBS wheels and on the S6? Tirerack keeps saying it won't fit my vehicle but I assume because it thinks I'm using OE 20in wheels?

Thanks,