Some wheel and springs questions (C5 specific)

[KFC.ONE]

Have been searching and reading and searching and reading but still have some question that other A6 Avant owner may be able to help me with.

A lot of this has been covered in other areas but I don't know how unique an Avant is from the Sedan when deciding on wheels and suspension

Looking to move from from stock 16's with 215/55r16 to an OZ Opera 18x8 et35 and run 235/40r18 tires

1. If I put these on with stock C5 A6 suspension how harsh of a ride am I going to experience? It is a daily driver and 18's are more for aesthetics than performance.

2. Will 18's look completely silly with stock suspension?

3. Are springs really that bad? Possible to even use them with stock shocks? I would just want to lower it enough so the 18's don't look odd. What does everyone use/recommend?

4. With both springs and 18's am I looking at a serious reduction in ride quality? (in other words will my wife complain all the time?)

5. Am I asking for trouble running 18's in NY winters? (ideally would like to throw winter tires on my 16's at some point, but until then...)


Thanks again, sorry if a lot of this is a rehash.

[n3985]

1. Comfort is subjective, one man's harsh is another's firm.
2. Yes
3. You will blow OEM shocks very fast, get shocks made for lowering springs such as Bilstein HD or Sport.
4. Probably yes
5. Why run 18s when 16s would be more comfortable? Winter = new pot holes, a 16" wheel is less likely to bend.

[KFC.ONE]

5. Why run 18s when 16s would be more comfortable? Winter = new pot holes, a 16" wheel is less likely to bend.

My current 16's are damaged and in looking for a new set came across some 18's for a good price which I would like to run in the summer months. However, since funds are tight right now I was wondering if I could get away with the 18's for this season as well.

Thanks for the reply!!

[tankdeer]

1. Comfort is subjective, one man's harsh is another's firm.
2. Yes
3. You will blow OEM shocks very fast, get shocks made for lowering springs such as Bilstein HD or Sport.
4. Probably yes
5. Why run 18s when 16s would be more comfortable? Winter = new pot holes, a 16" wheel is less likely to bend.

1. Agreed.
2. AGREED! lower before wheels always
3. very fast is a bit of an exaggeration, it depends on the condition of your stock shocks, but overall, it's best to replace them at the same time.
4. I disagree with this. My wife preferred the car lowered. The ride can be very similar to stock. And lots of C5 guys run 19's and 20's, 18's will be fine.
5. Agree with this. Get a second cheap set for winter. You don't want to screw up your new nice wheels.

[n3985]

4. I disagree with this. My wife preferred the car lowered. The ride can be very similar to stock. And lots of C5 guys run 19's and 20's, 18's will be fine.

How are your local road conditions?

Many folks when giving opinion on ride comfort forget their local roads very likely different from the other person asking. For example, no one in the tri-state area with our pot holes, rough and un-even pavement can say they ride similar to stock lowered and on bigger wheels. But someone in CA or AZ could easily make this statement :)

[tankdeer]

How are your local road conditions?

Many folks when giving opinion on ride comfort forget their local roads very likely different from the other person asking. For example, no one in the tri-state area with our pot holes, rough and un-even pavement can say they ride similar to stock lowered and on bigger wheels. But someone in CA or AZ could easily make this statement :)

Fair enough. Our roads here are decent. Better than yours I'm sure, but worse than someone in say Florida. And for the records, CA roads are garbage. Lived in SoCal for 30 years and our roads up here are 100x better.

That being said, there are plenty of people in the tri-state area running 18's, 19's, 20's etc. A lot depends on the spring/shock combo you go with. Tire sidewall, and driving style (you obviously have to be more careful with less sidewall to protect you, but you shouldn't be blasting over potholes if you can avoid it anyways). And correct me if I'm wrong, but 18" wheels were an option on some C5's. If you got a quality suspension you'd be no worse off than those guys

[KFC.ONE]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Does the car look visually higher or does it actually sit higher on 18's? If the overall diameter is kept the same from 16-18 the existing gap is retained?

Would I be getting the same 4x4 effect with 17's?

[tankdeer]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Does the car look visually higher or does it actually sit higher on 18's? If the overall diameter is kept the same from 16-18 the existing gap is retained?

Would I be getting the same 4x4 effect with 17's?

Depends on the tires you get. Ideally the overall diameter should be the same. But it will give the appearance of more gap/4x4. Even if in actuality it's the same.

[A6Avant]

Hey man...

I am....

1.) C5 Avant Owner.
2.) Married with a wife who is particular.
3.) been in your situation.

1. If I put these on with stock C5 A6 suspension how harsh of a ride am I going to experience? It is a daily driver and 18's are more for aesthetics than performance.

2. Will 18's look completely silly with stock suspension?

3. Are springs really that bad? Possible to even use them with stock shocks? I would just want to lower it enough so the 18's don't look odd. What does everyone use/recommend?

4. With both springs and 18's am I looking at a serious reduction in ride quality? (in other words will my wife complain all the time?)

5. Am I asking for trouble running 18's in NY winters? (ideally would like to throw winter tires on my 16's at some point, but until then...)

Answers to questions 1-5...

1.) Your ride will not be noticeable enough for your wife to complain. It will be fine trust me... My wife HATES harsh rides and its all good. There is an exception to every rule however and here they are... First... Your strut mounts are worn, hard, and tired... I first put on my 18"s last year no issues.. this year.. OUCH. Put in the new mounts.... Smooth as silk again. These cars are getting old and parts such as these are needed.... If your married save yourself the complaining and just do them they are inexpensive and easy...

2.) Well that is open to debate.... I think hell no! However I also think all stock suspensions look silly at the same time :) I know Im a confusing bloke. What I mean is lowered is better of course however a NICE 18 is always going to be better then the stock uglies they put on these cars...

3.) A LOT of guys use the stock... I do not recommend it as they are again likely original and once again old and tired.... If you are going to go with springs the best combo is Bilstine and H&R no question asked... However for the same price you can get ST V1's... Its a no brainer in my opinion.... But the ride will be SLIGHTLY less comfortable for the wife... enough that it will be an issue.. not for mine... Yours, I dont know...

4.) Depends on the wife.... Mine is good with it and she is quite picky on the comfort factor (seeing as it is mainly her car its fair enough).

5.) No trouble running your winters in 18" at all... Im from B.C. and we live at the ski hill on the weekends and we never have issues at all... Mountain passes the same... NJ... A piece of cake.

Now here's the last thing you need to know....

You do NOT want to run 235 40 18... on a ET35

You NEED 225 40 18 on a 8" ET35 wheel. Otherwise the front wheel will just slightly rub your one bolt on your upper control arm (unless you run 5mm spacers).... With the 225 40 you are good to go.

Just for reference here is a pic of mine....

(All pics are with the stock suspension)

18" RS6 First... First pic I had 235 40 and I had to have spacers... Second image is 225 40 no spacers no issues... sorry only pic I have with new tires....





19" O.Z. Classe 225 35 19 (on a 10" wheel with ET35)

[KFC.ONE]

Info in here is so greatly appreciated! Exactly what I was looking for