Montreal roads: risk 19"s or stick to 18"s?

[positiv_rate]

Hey guys!

Like it says: we'll be getting our '08 A4 Avant S-Line in 6-8 weeks and I wanted to get some feedback from people who have actual experience on our charming roads.

Will 19"s be too harsh (I know Ed@audiyo seems to like his 19" BBS CHs... hmmmmm... BBS CH...), or should I stick to 18"s? I still don't know if I'll be keeping the S-Line suspension (it's a lease) or going for coilovers or just a spring/shock combo.

Speaking of... any sugestions for the suspension?

Any comments/advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!

[ed@mtl]

Go big or go home (as they say)

I believe with strong 19", you'll be ok with our famous Quebec roads.

As for C/O, I would've like to have tried the Bilstein PSS9 or the STaSIS Ohlins SL.

[positiv_rate]

So I'll take that to mean you don't mind if another B7 Avant runs on 19" CHs in your neck of the woods?? (I was told they're pretty strong). Why go with C/Os rather than spring/shocks? Have you ever made changes to your ride height?

Seb

[evilgabbie]

GO 19s !!!!!

the toronto roads are bad this year, my 19s are holding up.. coils since you can adjust them, height and for some dampening as well

[ed@mtl]

That's correct, with C/O, you can adjust the height and dampening to your liking. With spring/shock combo, your stuck with almost one setting.

As for the BBS, the more the merrier. A buddy of mine just pick up a used set and repaint it for his A4(B5).

[MagnusS4]

i'd stay with 18's in my opinion it's just the safer way around things. 19s look great but then have a higher risk of bending but then again it obviously depends on what type of wheel your getting and the rubber your gonna wrap it with. so just choose the tire and rim no matter what size really carefully just my .02 cents

and as far as suspension goes STASIS MOTORSPORTS FTW!!!

[Siggiepop]

i like my 18"
18" = cheaper more selection
19"= heavy our cars aren't light to begin with.

[positiv_rate]

Hmmm... I've had my eye on STaSIS as well. I know C/Os offer height/damping adjustability, but how often have you guys running them actually made changes once they were on the car?

Ed: any squeaks & rattles show up in the car since running your 19" CHs and KWs? How does your lady like the ride? (often a good indicator, especially since mine will be making half the payments with me!!) Nice color for your friend's rims by the way... that would go very nicely with my Dolphin Grey Avant!

Also, does running the 345mm S4 brake upgrade make 18" mandatory (for winter tires). Just trying to plan ahead for future upgrades.

As always, thanks for your input guys; this is my first experience in an online "community" and I have to say the exchange/interaction is pretty cool.

Seb

[ed@mtl]

It's funny how the 19" seems lighter than oem 18" wheels. I just can't describe it.

There's no rattle or squeaks that I've notice. As for the wife, she likes it. She comes to the meets from time to time. I actually bring the kid(s) as well.

You don't need to upgrade to the S4 brake. I just did it for the hell of it.

[evilgabbie]

i like the feel from the larger wheels, feel more of the road and since mine are 19x8.5 (wider then before) the steering is stiffer which i like.. doesn't feel as flimsy

the weight issue i don't notice much probably cause the OEM 17s were heavy to start with

[bunnn]

i think i weighed my 17" factory rims at 27lbs...and my CK's were int he same range...
then you have those forged wheels which are noticebly lighter..eg. RGR 21lbs...

Anyways, if i managed to drive in broken highway, roads in winter using 19'' it should be fine! ..GO BIG OR GO HOME as some1 said earlier =)

[Siggiepop]

don't go big!
lightweight 17" or 18"!!

[bunnn]

or light weight 19's!

[ABanT]

Those black CH's look sooo nice.

[Siggiepop]

or light weight 19's!

okay that too lol if you want really its up to you. If you're afraid then go smaller and just lower = the same result

[bunnn]

lol you know i'm just playing devil's advocate...haha 18/19 are good but no 17 =T

[positiv_rate]

Ok, thanks for the input guys.

I realize a big part of the answer I'm looking for is subjective, but you've given me some good points of view.

As much as I'd love a set of 19" CHs, I think I'll be reasonable and keep some dough for my other planned mods... and 18" will do since it's only a lease... unless Ed falls for another set of rims & want to part with those CHs!!

Well, on my way to rescue those poor citizens of Kachechewan in James Bay... how fa-bu-lous my job can be sometimes...

Later,

Seb

[ed@mtl]

Seb if you really like the looks of the CH. Why not ask your dealer to see if it's possible to swap wheels with the 2006 S4 ones. If I can recall, the 2006 S4 came with the 18" CH look a like.

Oh, that's what I did and my dealer was able to swap it without any extra cost. Here she is the first day:

[positiv_rate]

Ha!!!

Then I guess great minds really do think alike... that's EXACTLY what I was just telling my wife! I just hope my dealership (Lauzon) still has some of those left...

What exactly did you do with yours when you went for 19"s? They just swapped out the S-Line rims for the CHs? What dealer is this?

Gotta get me some of that!

Seb

[ed@mtl]

It was Lauzon as well. I just ask to swap the S-Line wheels that I had for the 18" CH look a like that came with the 2006 S4 which they did.

At first I didn't think I would go back to 19" (that's why I ask for the swap) but I found a good deal on the CH and couldn't resist.

[positiv_rate]

Well, well, well... the plot thickens.

Hold on: are they BBS CHs or just look-alikes? Do you still have them?

What made you choose Lauzon over a dealer on the Island? (Prestige or Popular) How's your experience so far with Lauzon? (any hassles over your mods?)

Gonna ask my salesperson to try and locate those rims, but I doubt they still have some...

Seb

[ed@mtl]

Lauzon is the best Montreal Audi dealership period. Very friendly if you know what I mean.

I use to like Popular until one of their head service tech guy left. The worst dealership is Prestige. Never in my life I've encounter so many sobs in one place.

As for the CH look a like. It does mark BBS on them if I can remember correctly. The only difference is it does not have the words "Motorsports" written on them.
Oh, and I still have them. As mention, at first I didn't think I would go back to 19". That's why I asked for the swap for the CH look a likes.

[Stevelev]

Those CH's are very nice but you know what CH stands for ? ... "Chubby" - they are not considered light. The difference in ride is noticeable (acceleration, handling and comfort) when going to a lightweight wheel. I slapped on my coils (stiffer than OEM suspension) when I switched over to summers and was very surprised with the improvement. The ride comfort is what blew me away. For the record, my winter setup weighs approx. 49 lbs and my summers weigh in at 41 lbs (Volks with 235/35/19 tires).

With respect to coils, I am very happy with my GT Vogts. Had them on my B6 A4 and now on my B7. They're one of the easiest to adjust (rears can be done with an allen key while on the car) and the improvement in handling is quite noticeable.

Happy modding !!

[ed@mtl]

The CH 19" weights about 26lbs each.

[mxrz]

Audi OEM CHs come only with a rather conservative offset. The finish on the BBS originals is also a bit better looking.

[positiv_rate]

Well... got a quote for some 18"x8.5" BBS CHs w/ 235/40R18 Toyo T-1Rs... 4100$ [O_O] ... I was expecting 800-900$ less. How do you guys like the FK-452? I like my Toyos, but I've read a lot of reviews that find they have soft sidewalls (thus poor turn-in/feedback). So far, they're okay for my Jetta, but a 3800 lbs Avant pushing on them...? I know the FK-452 was the tire used in Eurotuner's '07 GP if that's any measure of their worth... Need feedback!!

Ed: I'm heading out to Lauzon this morning to see what they can do to with respect to trading the S-Line 5-arm wheels. If that dosen't work, would you be willing to trade your 18" CH look-alikes?

They just told me the car that was suppoded to get here by July was shipped out on the boat May 5th: we should have it the first week of June!!!

Summer's officially here: broke out ma' shorts & flip-flops!

[Rippin]

Well... got a quote for some 18"x8.5" BBS CHs w/ 235/40R18 Toyo T-1Rs... 4100$ [O_O] ... I was expecting 800-900$ less.

Unfortunately this is why many, like myself, purchased wheels across the border. Even with conversion, shipping, taxes and duty it comes out less expensive. Have you tried Independent Tuning (Toronto) for a quote? If you decide to look cross-border go to TireRack.com. Choose your rim and tires and start the checkout process to see what the grand total will be. They list all the extra charges so you know exactly how much you'll pay in the end. GL.

[ed@mtl]

I might go back to 18". I haven't decided. You should look into getting used BBS instead of buying them new.

[positiv_rate]

Hmmm... curious. Why go back to 18"s? I was told it's "go big or go home"!

I thought you were very happy with your 19s. Are you getting rid of the car?

Well, I finally gave in and got TireRack's price from RMR for the 18" BBS CHs w/ Toyo T-1Rs. It'll come out to pretty much the same price. Keepin' it local, you know.

I'm waiting to see if the dealership wants to deliver the car with the RS4 rear sway and front grille. I'd probably have to pay a little extra, but it'll be less of a hassle. We'll see!

Oh, and I checked the classifieds for used ones: missed a good looking set a month ago, but I can't really wait anymore: the car will be here in 2 weeks & she needs some shoes! I'll ask the dealership to keep the S-Line 18s in exchange for some 17s and winter tires.

[ed@mtl]

I am happy with my 19". However, I'm not the only one that's driving the car.

My lease will be up in about 2yrs and I don't know if I want to buy it or give it back. Got her in Oct 06 and I have less than 15 200km. I could wait for the B8 A4, we'll see...

[Stevelev]

Hmmm... curious. Why go back to 18"s? I was told it's "go big or go home"!... Oh, and I checked the classifieds for used ones: missed a good looking set a month ago, but I can't really wait anymore: the car will be here in 2 weeks & she needs some shoes! I'll ask the dealership to keep the S-Line 18s in exchange for some 17s and winter tires.

Patience is a Virtue !! I picked up my my 20 lb. Volks for a song

Also, the Stealership will hose you on 17's ... This past fall I picked up a set of winter shoes (new 17" alloys with snows) for my friends B7 A4 and the total incl. shipping was $1,100. from Tiretrends.

[positiv_rate]

Oh well, what's done is done. I've been wanting a set of CHs for many years now. Glad I went ahead and bought them: when I change the car, some other enthusiast will be able to get a good deal on my used rims.

As for the 17"s I want to trade for my 18" S-Lines; I don't see how I could get hosed if they just straight up swap them...? I'll see what the sales manager has to say about my proposal tomorrow.

Can't wait to get the car!! Anybody have soundclips for a B7 Neuspeed catback? I've searched and came up with the ones Anthony (AZ moderator) posted a while back on YouTube, but the quality isn't so great... I don't want it to be too loud, just nice and deep.

Later!