What's My Wheel's Width & Offset?

[Ronnitude]

Hey friends,

I'm thinking of getting new tires and wheels for my 2014 A6

I started watching YouTube videos about fitment and my head started spinning! Didn't know it was this complicated to replace tires lol

So my current set measure 245/45 R18

Im still undecided whether I want to "upgrade" to a 19" or a 20" set.

I have two questions:
1- for those two bigger size wheels, what would be the tire size needed? I read somewhere that the tire + wheel size need to remain the same when upgrading. I used a random tire calc online and I got:
19: 245/40 R19
20: 245/35 R20

R those correct?

2- is there a mathematical way to know the width and offset of my current Wheels? (Without taking them off and physically measuring them)

Thank you! Screenshot_20200418-182537_Chrome.jpegScreenshot_20200418-181828_Chrome.jpeg

[gk1]

If they are stock wheels the offset is ET39. You wouldn't have to measure, it would be cast into the back of the wheel.
The stock sizes for an A6 2.0T are:
245/45R18 on 8x18 ET39
245/40R19 on 8x19 ET42
255/40R19 on 8.5x19 ET45
or 20" 3.0T & S6 size:
255/35R20 on 8.5x20 ET45

If you are like myself and many others you would want to take the opportunity when getting new wheels to alter the width and offset to your liking, both for flushness to fender and concave looks. I Personally don't care about concavity so I went with a 255or265/35R20 on a 9x20 ET35. Although others have gone ET25 I just felt they stuck out a little too much for my liking. Keep in mind all those alternative will reduce the sidewall making for a stiffer ride if that is one of your concerns.

[Ronnitude]

If they are stock wheels the offset is ET39. You wouldn't have to measure, it would be cast into the back of the wheel.
The stock sizes for an A6 2.0T are:
245/45R18 on 8x18 ET39
245/40R19 on 8x19 ET42
255/40R19 on 8.5x19 ET45
or 20" 3.0T & S6 size:
255/35R20 on 8.5x20 ET45

If you are like myself and many others you would want to take the opportunity when getting new wheels to alter the width and offset to your liking, both for flushness to fender and concave looks. I Personally don't care about concavity so I went with a 255or265/35R20 on a 9x20 ET35. Although others have gone ET25 I just felt they stuck out a little too much for my liking. Keep in mind all those alternative will reduce the sidewall making for a stiffer ride if that is one of your concerns.

Interesting. Would an A6 "3.0T" have different stock sizes or not?

I bought the car used to I'm not sure if they are stock or not. I found out recently they are stock Nissan GeoTour tires!! (see picture)20200219_160816.jpeg

[Ronnitude]

Also found this list which makes me think I need to move to a 9" width wheel if I go with the same width tire (245mm). Don't want to run into any clearance issues if I change the width to 255. Thoughts?Screenshot_20200418-202256_Chrome.jpeg

[gk1]

Interesting. Would an A6 "3.0T" have different stock sizes or not?

I bought the car used to I'm not sure if they are stock or not. I found out recently they are stock Nissan GeoTour tires!! (see picture)20200219_160816.jpeg

Yeah, I can't tell from the pic if those are stock wheels.
AFAIK the 2.0T did not have the 255/35R20 as an option and the 3.0T did not have the 245/40R19 as a stock option however there is no reason to think you could not fit one on the other, just trying to be accurate.
As for the tire, who knows, never heard of them...previous owner probably just wanted something cheap to turn in or resell the car with "new" tires.

[gk1]

Also found this list which makes me think I need to move to a 9" width wheel if I go with the same width tire (245mm). Don't want to run into any clearance issues if I change the width to 255. Thoughts?Screenshot_20200418-202256_Chrome.jpeg

Meh it's guidelines:
Audi uses a 255 on an 8.5" wide wheel so a 245 on an 8" is not so weird.
9" is going to be more common for aftermarket 20" wheel if that is the direction you are thinking of going that route, but then I'd suggest at least a 255.
Some like to stretch a skinny tire on a very wide wheel. I am not into that look.

[gk1]

Since you liked J71's pic in the other thread here is side-by-side the subtle difference between his HRE FF01's 20x9 ET25 on I assume stock 255/35R20 rubber.


and my 20x9 ET35 with 265/35R20


You can see his appear a bit more concave.
It also looks like his might be lowered a bit more than mine which should in theory make the ET25 wheel poke out less from the fenders.

[Ronnitude]

Since you liked J71's pic in the other thread here is side-by-side the subtle difference between his HRE FF01's 20x9 ET25 on I assume stock 255/35R20 rubber.


and my 20x9 ET35 with 265/35R20


You can see his appear a bit more concave.
It also looks like his might be lowered a bit more than mine which should in theory make the ET25 wheel poke out less from the fenders.

Love urs! Do u have the same wheels as him?? And is urs lowered at all?

So if I understand u correctly, u'd suggest I go with 20x9 on 265/35R20 then? That more rubber which will make the ride less harsh which I like...

Also mine isn't lowered at all, and there is almost an inch of clearance between the tire and the body...so increasing the diameter won't be an issue

[gk1]

Love urs! Do u have the same wheels as him?? And is urs lowered at all?

So if I understand u correctly, u'd suggest I go with 20x9 on 265/35R20 then? That more rubber which will make the ride less harsh which I like...

Also mine isn't lowered at all, and there is almost an inch of clearance between the tire and the body...so increasing the diameter won't be an issue

Yep. Same wheels...slightly different spec. Mine is only 10mm lower, not sure about his.
255/35R20 is the size recommended for 20x9 but I had those for years and I don't care for a even the tiny bit of stretch, plus the minuscule bit of extra sidewall from the 265 is a plus for me.

265/35R20 on 20x9


255/35R20 on 20x9

[Ronnitude]

Yep. Same wheels...slightly different spec. Mine is only 10mm lower, not sure about his.
255/35R20 is the size recommended for 20x9 but I had those for years and I don't care for a even the tiny bit of stretch, plus the minuscule bit of extra sidewall from the 265 is a plus for me.

265/35R20 on 20x9


255/35R20 on 20x9

Ur ride's color is super cool dude!

Thanks for the help! I'll take ur advice ... Now it's time to save up some mula!

[davepjr71]

Also found this list which makes me think I need to move to a 9" width wheel if I go with the same width tire (245mm). Don't want to run into any clearance issues if I change the width to 255. Thoughts?Screenshot_20200418-202256_Chrome.jpeg

That list isn't correct. 265 definitely goes on the 9". 265/35/20 is the stock tire for the 20x9 tire for the A7. You can go as large as 275/35/20 on the 20x9 stock rims. The ride improves with the extra sidewall.

[Ronnitude]

That list isn't correct. 265 definitely goes on the 9". 265/35/20 is the stock tire for the 20x9 tire for the A7. You can go as large as 275/35/20 on the 20x9 stock rims. The ride improves with the extra sidewall.

Awesome. Good to hear it from more than one person. Thanks!

[Ronnitude]

Yep. Same wheels...slightly different spec. Mine is only 10mm lower, not sure about his.
255/35R20 is the size recommended for 20x9 but I had those for years and I don't care for a even the tiny bit of stretch, plus the minuscule bit of extra sidewall from the 265 is a plus for me.

265/35R20 on 20x9


255/35R20 on 20x9

What do u think of those choices?20200420_210904.jpeg

[Gravy Train]

You'll want a 35mm offset with that 265/35 tire. 25mm is too aggressive for anything more than a 255.

[gk1]

I agree with gravy...ET35 is better IMO.
Also check with [email protected] if he can do a better price. ($3800 vs. $4000 at FI for same spec as what I have.)
Is there any particular reason you chose that particular grand touring Continental over the UHP all-season DWS06? It has better reviews, better treadwear rating and is cheaper (at least on tirerack).
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...=635YR0DWS06XL

Edit: Nevermind I see they are blowing out those Conti TX's at FI for just $160 each. IMO I'd spend a bit more on a better tires, unless you've had them before and absolutely love them.

[Ronnitude]

I agree with gravy...ET35 is better IMO.
Also check with [email protected] if he can do a better price. ($3800 vs. $4000 at FI for same spec as what I have.)
Is there any particular reason you chose that particular grand touring Continental over the UHP all-season DWS06? It has better reviews, better treadwear rating and is cheaper (at least on tirerack).
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...=635YR0DWS06XL

Edit: Nevermind I see they are blowing out those Conti TX's at FI for just $160 each. IMO I'd spend a bit more on a better tires, unless you've had them before and absolutely love them.

No particular reason. I haven't researched tires at all actually. Just went by price. Any specific brand you'd recommend?

[Ronnitude]

You'll want a 35mm offset with that 265/35 tire. 25mm is too aggressive for anything more than a 255.

Noted. Thanks bro :)

[gk1]

No particular reason. I haven't researched tires at all actually. Just went by price. Any specific brand you'd recommend?

That is very subjective and there are many options. I can tell you what I have had on my S6 & SQ5 and which I liked, but you may have different priorities than me.
On the HRE's I have Michelin PS4S (arguably the King Kong of summer performance tires), previously I had Michelin PSS on the Rohana wheels above. I only had the PS4S on for a short while just before switching to winter but they are a surprising improvement on the PSS which was already a great summer tire. OE were PZero's which I was not to particularly fond of. Not horrible, but not as good as the Michelins either.
For the SQ5 I've had the Dunlop Sportmaxx which was good performance but treadlife was terrible (18-20k miles). I am trying the Pirelli Scorpion Zero A/S Plus this time around and so far I am pleased with this being the first all-season I've had on the car. If they last more than 20k miles with consistent performance throughout then I'll be happy.
Only reason I mention the DWS06 is it usually gets good reviews here on the forums for an UHP all-season tire. I had its precursor the plain DWS on my Mazda3 years ago and felt it was a a very good tire too, admittedly comparing to the reining champion of the worst tire in the world at the time the Goodyear LS2 a bicycle tire might have been an improvement.

[Ronnitude]

That is very subjective and there are many options. I can tell you what I have had on my S6 & SQ5 and which I liked, but you may have different priorities than me.
On the HRE's I have Michelin PS4S (arguably the King Kong of summer performance tires), previously I had Michelin PSS on the Rohana wheels above. I only had the PS4S on for a short while just before switching to winter but they are a surprising improvement on the PSS which was already a great summer tire. OE were PZero's which I was not to particularly fond of. Not horrible, but not as good as the Michelins either.
For the SQ5 I've had the Dunlop Sportmaxx which was good performance but treadlife was terrible (18-20k miles). I am trying the Pirelli Scorpion Zero A/S Plus this time around and so far I am pleased with this being the first all-season I've had on the car. If they last more than 20k miles with consistent performance throughout then I'll be happy.
Only reason I mention the DWS06 is it usually gets good reviews here on the forums for an UHP all-season tire. I had its precursor the plain DWS on my Mazda3 years ago and felt it was a a very good tire too, admittedly comparing to the reining champion of the worst tire in the world at the time the Goodyear LS2 a bicycle tire might have been an improvement.

I see. What's ur priority in tires? How do different tires affect the ride?

I'm looking for all season since I won't change them anytime soon probably. What I care about is ride's comfort mostly. Every now and then I get in a sporty racy kinda mood but mostly I'm commuting to and from work!

[gk1]

I see. What's ur priority in tires? How do different tires affect the ride?

I'm looking for all season since I won't change them anytime soon probably. What I care about is ride's comfort mostly. Every now and then I get in a sporty racy kinda mood but mostly I'm commuting to and from work!

I have dedicated winter wheels/tires and an S6 so dedicated summer tires are for me. The tires are the only thing that contacts the road and IMO affect the ride tremendously.
Since you need A/S and prefer comfort you might consider stepping back to the OE 255/35R20 size then. Since it opens up a couple more options like the Vredestein Quatrac Pro or Michelin PS A/S 3+.

[Ronnitude]

I have dedicated winter wheels/tires and an S6 so dedicated summer tires are for me. The tires are the only thing that contacts the road and IMO affect the ride tremendously.
Since you need A/S and prefer comfort you might consider stepping back to the OE 255/35R20 size then. Since it opens up a couple more options like the Vredestein Quatrac Pro or Michelin PS A/S 3+.

Oh come on! I was all set on 265 lol don't push me back to 255 now!!

I like the wider look, the continental extreme contact dws 06 looks good! And really good reviews. I don't mind sacrificing a bit of comfort for a better look

[gk1]

Oh come on! I was all set on 265 lol don't push me back to 255 now!!

I like the wider look, the continental extreme contact dws 06 looks good! And really good reviews. I don't mind sacrificing a bit of comfort for a better look

LoL. Sorry.
Just certain models only come in certain sizes. Be glad you don't have/want 21's. For my '14 SQ5 there is one A/S option (Volvo spec) $350/each. Pretty much had to move up to 265 to get a better option at a reasonable price.
If you wanted max performance summer tire it would be PS4S and done.

[Ronnitude]

LoL. Sorry.
Just certain models only come in certain sizes. Be glad you don't have/want 21's. For my '14 SQ5 there is one A/S option (Volvo spec) $350/each. Pretty much had to move up to 265 to get a better option at a reasonable price.
If you wanted max performance summer tire it would be PS4S and done.

Haha all good.

And you, my friend, are the real MVP! Thanks for walking me thru all this! I feel like I can make an educated decision now