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From YourSITE.com Technical Features We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, changing the wheels on a car can be one of the most significant modifications an owner does. Our 2002 Avant was no slouch, with 17-inch wheels that came standard with the Sport Package. The 17s had been constantly mistaken for B5 S4 Avus wheels, which we assumed a good thing, but we still were left wanting more. Newer cars feature larger and larger wheels, and with 18-inch wheels now common on cars like the VW GTI, we knew we had to go up to at least that.
Tire Rack describes the SP Sport 9000 tread pattern as such; On the outside, the SP Sport 9000 tire features a high silica content tread compound molded into a design that features substantial open grooves (44% groove - 56% rubber) in the center of the design to minimize hydroplaning, and directional high contact shoulder grooves (85% rubber - 15% groove) to enhance steering response and dry road cornering. On the inside, Jointless Bands (JLB) of nylon provide high speed capability while helping improve ride comfort and handling. The SP Sport 9000 construction provides light weight structural integrity, splice free reinforcement uniformity, and an even distribution of footprint pressure. We also chose to invest in a relatively new program from Tire Rack. Their Tire Road Hazard Service Program goes beyond the manufacturer’s warranty against defects to cover hazards that might be encountered in the real world such as potholes. Consider it insurance for your tires, it seemed worth the added investment for us. In our minds, the lower profile the tire, the more likely road hazard damage might occur and the more expensive the tire, the more expensive the cost to fix. Tire Rack’s program covers the tires for three years or tread wear up to 2/32” or less, at which time the tires are considered out of the coverage due to wear. Source: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/roadHazard/trhp.html The Tire Rack supports the tire manufacturers' warranties for all of the tire brands that they sell. Those warranties apply to tires that become unusable for any reason within the tire manufacturer's control, typically covering materials and workmanship. However, these warranties do not apply to causes and conditions beyond the tire manufacturer's control, such as road hazards. Because of this, many drivers desire the additional security and peace of mind that a Tire Road Hazard Service Program provides and we were no different. A road hazard, ast Tire Rack defines it, occurs when a tire fails due to a puncture, bruise or break incurred during the course of driving on a maintained road. Nails, glass and potholes are the most common examples. Tires are covered for 36 months from the date of purchase or until 2/32" or less of tread remains, whichever occurs first. Repairs are reimbursed up to $25 per tire per occurrence. During the first 12 months, the program will reimburse for 100% of the original cost of the tire covered by the Tire Road Hazard Service Program, subject to the limitations set forth in the Program Certificate. Beyond the first 12 months, the reimbursable amount is calculated by a prorating of elapsed time, not to exceed 36 months. Considering the investment in the program, one factor that came to mind was the special needs of an all-wheel drive car like our quattro. According to our good friend Eric at Tire Rack, Audi recommends no greater variance than 4/32-inch for long-term care of quattro’s differentials. It’s easy to see that in a very short time, putting a new tire in with old could result in expensive long-term damage. Speaking with Eric, we learned that Tire Rack does offer shaving service for their tires. In that case, an owner simply goes to a local tire service center and has the tread depth measured, performed by gauging the depth at three different points on the wheel. With the depth determined, Tire Rack can shave the new tire to get it within parameters so that it will match up to the older ones. This might result in a little down-time while you wait for your new tire, though it can save an owner by cutting the necessary number of tires purchased from four to only one. Many may be aware that for several years, The Tire Rack has offered the service of shaving Competition Tires. Speaking with Eric, we also learned that The Tire Rack also offers the shaving service for a customer's street tires. Tire Rack Part Numbers for Street Tire Shaving (Race Tires Vary) STREETSHAVE4 SHAVE TO 4/32 TREAD DEPTH 25.00 STREETSHAVE5 SHAVE TO 5/32 TREAD DEPTH 25.00 STREETSHAVE6 SHAVE TO 6/32 TREAD DEPTH 25.00 STREETSHAVE7 SHAVE TO 7/32 TREAD DEPTH 25.00 STREETSHAVE8 SHAVE TO 8/32 TREAD DEPTH 25.00 STREETSHAVE9 SHAVE TO 9/32 TREAD DEPTH 35.00 STREETSHAVE10 SHAVE TO 10/32 TREAD DEPTH 35.00 STREETSHAVE11 SHAVE TO 11/32 TREAD DEPTH 35.00 STREETSHAVE12 SHAVE TO 12/32 TREAD DEPTH 35.00 STREETSHAVE12 SHAVE TO 12/32 TREAD DEPTH 35.00 We confirmed with Eric that if the Road Hazard Service Program determines a tire on an all-wheel drive car to be irreparable and a replacement tire is required, then the replacement tire can be shaved and enrolled in the Road Hazard Service Program, but right from the start the tire would start its coverage at its corresponding prorated value as per the program found on the Tire Rack website. Within the Road Hazard coverage duration, whenever a tire needs to be replaced, a new Road Hazzard policy would as to be purchased as well. Since the first year of the policy is not prorated, the replacement tire, regardless of being shaved, or not will be covered in full. As before, the second and third year of coverage is prorated as per the program policy found on the Tire Rack website. Once the tires were fitted to the wheels, the tire height was nice and aggressive. Noise was minimal, that is until we hit the first off-ramp. Weight transferred to to one side of the car, a slight dip was experienced, the suspension compressed and “harrump” the tires rubbed the fender wells. Here’s the part where it’s important to remember the critical factor of offset. The offset on our RS6 wheels is ET20. Comparedly, the stock A4 offset is ET45. That difference is mainly engineered in for the 18s to clear the RS6’s gargantuan brakes, but ourA4 doesn’t have those brakes or hubs and such, an aggressive offset left us with wheels that really filled out the wheel wells, but rubbed over almost any bump. Load the trunk and get the car up to speed, and the problem was magnified. Adding new wheels, even new OEM wheels, is not as simple as one might expect and offset should always be considered. While an owner may venture to something more aggressive than the suggested offset, consulting with their dealer, companies like Tire Rack or owners who have first hand experience, in our opinion, is definitely the smart move. [Sigh] Some people choose to live with rubbing and make do, liking the aggressive look. Not wanting to damage the fenders or the tires, we decided against that. However, since we fitted the wheels, options have opened up. In Europe, new “S-Line” models are now rolling out of the factory with the same design in a less aggressive offset. To our knowledge, Audi has yet to import these OE wheels in an 18-inch setup, though both 18-inch and 19-inch replica versions are now available from companies such as Achtuning and Discount Tire Direct in a ET35 offset. We don’t have first-hand experience yet, but a quick call to Justin at Achtuning told us that the replicas fit A4 and A6 applications. Given the rubbing, we’ve decided to switch out the wheels and opt for something different. And, considering the long turnaround time in our reporting these wheels, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that the new wheels are already on the car. Those attending the Carlisle Import / Kit Replica Nationals this year got a sneak preview of the wheels. However, those reading the site will have to make do until Monday, when we’ll follow up with the installation of something new from Audi with the correct offset. More info: Audi Collection Tire Rack Road Hazard Protection Program Tire Rack Guide to Matching Tires on All-Wheel Drive Vehicles Dunlop Tires
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