Driving impressions - after upgrading to OEM - RS6 Performance wheels

[R2ndAudi]

Curious for driving impressions from those who have upgraded to the lighter, OEM RS6 performance wheels on a non-Performance RS6 (21’, 22’)

We know they are meaningfully lighter and reducing rolling weight should make a difference…but can you legitimately tell a difference in how the car drives?

Appreciate any actually owner feedback who has made this switch. I am on the fence....

Thanks in advance!

JS

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Not directly on point, I'm using stock 22's on my 21 RS7 but am looking forward to a custom set of summers at about -10lbs per corner. This is similar to weight reductions I've done on my 2018 A6 and an older BMW.

What I noticed in both of those cases was that steering is a but quicker on lighter wheels -- not fidgety, however. But, those nuances are personal. Theoretically, both cars should have gotten a bit quicker in the 0-60 and/or quarter mile, but not by a large margin.

[Nsd991]

I recently upgraded to the performance wheels from the 22 inch carbon optics wheels. I didn’t think it would make a difference but I was wrong. Car is much more compliant over the bumps on my daily commute and it’s an obvious not subtle difference.

[timb]

The place you will notice it is not in acceleration or steering, but indeed in compliance as mentioned by Nsd991. The lighter wheel has less inertia and on washboard surfaces or small bumps the wheel will keep better contact with the road surface, between CCB brakes and the lighter wheels I would expect a noticeable improvement under those circumstances. Small improvements in unsprung weight are very important for that reason. You cannot turn the steering wheel fast enough to notice the reduction in inertia so steering should feel the same however over bumps, where milliseconds or microseconds matter, you will. I have a nice set of forged wheels I purchased from another member here (thanks again Treeskier), I'm looking forward to installing them when the weather warms up and seeing first hand...

[two+2]

Exactly as timb said.

I noticed this when I swapped out the OEM 22's for lighter Vossens. The Performance wheels would be even lighter.

[PartsByTopher]

We’ve had great feedback from the clients who’ve installed the Performance wheels. Most notably those upgrading from the standard 22” wheels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allenyao09]

I swapped my stock 22'' wheels with BC Forged 21'' wheels and 295 tires. Couldn't really feel any difference under normal driving.

[Nsd991]

I washed up my OEM wheels today and they felt significantly heavier than the performance ones.

[rspengle]

I recently upgraded to the performance wheels from the 22 inch carbon optics wheels. I didn’t think it would make a difference but I was wrong. Car is much more compliant over the bumps on my daily commute and it’s an obvious not subtle difference.

Is this the matte gold finish?

[Nsd991]

Is this the matte gold finish?

Yes,

[Iguana1500]

We’ve had great feedback from the clients who’ve installed the Performance wheels. Most notably those upgrading from the standard 22” wheels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was about to pull the trigger on a set earlier in 2024 and then the price went up quite a bit per wheel on your website :(

[PartsByTopher]

I was about to pull the trigger on a set earlier in 2024 and then the price went up quite a bit per wheel on your website :(

Each quarter, Audi typically raises prices across many of its part offerings.

Unfortunately, these prices increases are out of our control, and these performance wheels happened to increase as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NevesXis]

The place you will notice it is not in acceleration or steering, but indeed in compliance as mentioned by Nsd991. The lighter wheel has less inertia and on washboard surfaces or small bumps the wheel will keep better contact with the road surface, between CCB brakes and the lighter wheels I would expect a noticeable improvement under those circumstances... You cannot turn the steering wheel fast enough to notice the reduction in inertia so steering should feel the same however over bumps, where milliseconds or microseconds matter, you will...

Great info; thanks!

QUESTION: I currently have an RS6 Avant on order but not “locked”. I'm unable, due to availability, to compare the air suspension directly to the DRC. Does anyone have any experience with directly comparing the standard Air Suspension to the optional RS Sport Suspension Plus w/DRC?

BACKGROUND: I'm getting the RS6 to be a reasonably comfortable beast. I've raced cars on a small scale and done lots of track days with single-purpose cars -- like an AMG C63 Black Series and a 2014 Z/28. Unlike those, the RS6 will NOT see serious performance or track usage. It won't be a daily driver as I work from home, so it's going to be my "enjoy the drive" car on relatively short (2-3 hour) drives on TX Hill Country backroads.

THOUGHTS & CONCERNS:
1. As stated, I don't expect this to be a track car. I am sensitive to and know the subtle differences in feel and responsiveness that suspension improvements can offer.

2. I want my wife to be comfortable; she's an engineer and genuinely loves cars, but it's no fun getting beat up by the current fad of stiff suspensions combined with zero-compliance tires (which is what you get with 22-inch wheels).

3. I've ordered my RS6 with Air Suspension with the stock wheels because:

• Ride quality is a concern.
• Air is a safer bet than DRC, given that I can’t drive a DRC RS6.
• In theory, I like the ability to raise the suspension given US parking lots.
• I like the understated appearance of the stock wheels.
• The 22-inch wheels look damage prone
• 22-inch wheels have lower-profile tires, which reduces tire compliance.

On my C63 Black Series, you could go from a decent "Comfort" setting to an all out "Track" mode. It was an exceptionally good balance of track capability with reasonable street comfort. The DRC concept gives me hope that it's adept at making a similar transition from Performance to Comfort settings, but I'd really appreciate input from this forum.

THANKS, in advance, for any help or advice you can offer!

[spyderbret1]

It sounds like you will be happy with the air ride. I was in a similar mindset before I got my 24. I kinda thought I wanted the DRC but I'm glad I didnt get it. The wife's comfort was a consideration for me as well since I have subjected her to many of my harsher riding cars! The "stiff" suspension setting with the Air are still slightly soft but still gives a lot of confidence. Mine is my daily and the freeway I use can be pretty bumpy but the suspension handles it really well. Body roll isn't that bad either and I think that would be the bigger advantage of the DRC, less body roll. From what I have read, you feel more difference in the DRC settings but the Air still feels good. I do a lot of track driving so the extra comfort is a welcome thing more often than not. Either way you will love the car!

[otis]

DRC is very reasonable. I ordered a 24 Performance with air ride because everyone kept saying the DRC is a firm ride. Mine came in and at the exact time a 24 Bronze edition arrived with the DRC. I drove them back to back on crappy MN roads. I kept the Bronze with DRC and left the air ride behind. DRC on comfort mode is very mild and not harsh. It’s a daily driver for me so comfort was important. DRC felt more composed. Maybe the new wheels help? YMMV

[tempus_x]

I’m also a fan of the DRC over air. We ran a ‘21 RS6 with air and even at its stiffest setting it felt too floaty for me when driving with a bit of vigour.

We have DRC on our ‘24 RS6 P and find the 3 modes have plenty of variation. We run it on the middle setting daily and then on stiff for the more adventurous days :-)

[jmswashere]

I upgraded last year, but also changed from the Hankooks to Michelin 4S's. I also have CCBs on my car. With the Michelins and the new wheels, the turn in feels somewhat lighter and maybe quicker, but, I am getting more (not a lot) of road noise coming into the cabin.

[vinny.dtw]

DRC on this car definitely makes a diff. But it hardly feels any better than air, or handle any better imo. Not having ride height control is a big no for me as well.

but on that note, stock wheels and tires is 74lbs... Any reduction in rotational mass will definitely help handling a bit, But when your car is 5k lbs, dropping the rotational mass, or "better handling" is mute. lol.

[sb10309]

Do you have pictures of your wheel setup? I’m thinking 21s over 22s. Just seems too damn big and not enough tire