19s on RS5 Sportback

[SepangS4me]

I'm looking for feedback from those that have moved from 20s to 19s on their RS5 (specifically the Sportback).

Does the ride quality get better? My wife complains a lot about the harshness of the car (even in comfort mode) and I'm wondering if moving to 19s would make a difference? If so... how?

NYC roads suck....

[sthulin]

I run 19s as winter tires and i do find them to be a bit more comfy, but not that much of a difference. I think the type of tire you run will make a big difference in addition to having a larger sidewall.

[303 Spartan]

When I bought my RS5 in March, I took the 265/35/19 snow tires from the M3 I traded in and threw them on some cheap 19" wheels to get me through the last few weeks of winter.

Overall, I wouldn't say the ride quality changed much, even with the slightly taller tire. However, if you're going to go with 19's I recommend using a 275/35/19 tire. It will be closer to the OEM wheel/tire diameter and will give you a taller sidewall for some extra ride cushion.

This year I'm transitioning my OEM 20's over to winter duty with some 275/30/20 snow tires. Personally, I think 20" wheels suit this car much better and considering that I have to keep my winter setup on for upwards of 6 months, I prefer a setup that's visually appealing. Even if it means sacrificing some snow performance, when compared to a 19" wheel with a taller/skinner snow tire.

Anyway, here's what the car looked like on 19's with 265/35/19, in case it helps:



Another option is to get a bigger tire on a 20" wheel. My new Summer setup is a 20" wheel with a 285/30/20 tire. the 285's provide a 6mm increase in overall diameter, providing some extra cushion. But ride comfort feels about the same as OEM, if I'm being honest.

[SepangS4me]

When I bought my RS5 in March, I took the 265/35/19 snow tires from the M3 I traded in and threw them on some cheap 19" wheels to get me through the last few weeks of winter.

Overall, I wouldn't say the ride quality changed much, even with the slightly taller tire. However, if you're going to go with 19's I recommend using a 275/35/19 tire. It will be closer to the OEM wheel/tire diameter and will give you a taller sidewall for some extra ride cushion.

This year I'm transitioning my OEM 20's over to winter duty with some 275/30/20 snow tires. Personally, I think 20" wheels suit this car much better and considering that I have to keep my winter setup on for upwards of 6 months, I prefer a setup that's visually appealing. Even if it means sacrificing some snow performance, when compared to a 19" wheel with a taller/skinner snow tire.

Anyway, here's what the car looked like on 19's with 265/35/19, in case it helps:



Another option is to get a bigger tire on a 20" wheel. My new Summer setup is a 20" wheel with a 285/30/20 tire. the 285's provide a 6mm increase in overall diameter, providing some extra cushion. But ride comfort feels about the same as OEM, if I'm being honest.

Thank you! This is helpful context and I do agree the 20s suit this car better. I was considering downgrade because I was planning to us the RS5 more when my lease is up on my daily. I was going to try and save a few bucks on a car payment while things get back to normal. But I guess I should just look for a replacement car for my daily.

[SepangS4me]

I run 19s as winter tires and i do find them to be a bit more comfy, but not that much of a difference. I think the type of tire you run will make a big difference in addition to having a larger sidewall.

Thanks, I didn't think it would make a huge difference but figured it was worth the ask.

[wwhan]

Thanks, I didn't think it would make a huge difference but figured it was worth the ask.

I focused on ride quality & pothole survivability. I hit a pothole with only 500 miles on the new car with original 275/30R20 tires on 20x9 ET22 wheels. The tire went flat 8-10 seconds, and the cost to get replaced was $336.

I switched to 19x9 ET20 wheels and 245/40R19 tires, since 40 series tires (98mm sidewall) have more cushion than 30 series tire (88mm sidewall) . which has a calculated +0.8% speedometer error. Wife is OK with the ride in Comfort mode.

https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?whe...cl=50mm&sr=0mm

I could have pursued a 18" wheel/tire combination, since BBS does a make a wheel that fits the RS5 front brakes (according to BBS rep.): BBS SR Satin Grey Wheel 18x9 5x112 21mm SR033SG and 265/40R18 tires (-0.5% speedometer error).

Tire pressure also affects the ride. I use the light load values.

[Andy_FL]

Tire pressure also affects the ride. I use the light load values.

^^THIS^^

I was riding around at around 32-33psi all around on my black optics wheels (20") ever since I picked up the car a few months ago. I had 18's on my prior car and thought to myself "Wow these wheels don't ride as 'bad' as I thought they would." Then I finally got around to setting the TPMS and went to 40psi all around - man what a difference! THIS is how I expected 20" wheels to ride (that every expansion joint is a little jolt to the flank!). So yeah, I would adjust your pressure a bit and you may get more of a difference than if you go to a smaller wheel. GL.