New A6 Avant Member

A6 All/ S6 All
#1

Hello AR.net!!!

Just welcomed to your new community by v8a6! Been poking around and have found some great stuff! I just purchased a 2011 A6 Avant with 19k on the odometer about 6 months ago. Having driven the car as a daily driver now for 6 months, I am getting the itch to start modifying. This will be my first jump into the world of modification. I really have no wrench turning ability…Now is the best time to start getting it I guess!

Have a few questions for the community (v8a6 has already given some great advice):

I am looking at changing up my wheel and tyre set. I was initially going to go with a 20" setup but there is way to much involved with possible rubbing issues for me to take on. Especially as it is my daily driver and cannot be out of order!

I am looking at going with a set of 19x8.5 ET38. I was thinking a set of 255/35/19 Michelin PS3s. I wanted to go with the 255/30/19s but the load index drops to low. I will be doing coilovers and a rear sway bar…either the H&R’s or the Bilstein’s. Does anyone have any experience with this size tire/wheel combo? Any feedback would be welcomed!

Thanks for going easy on the new guy!

Geoff

#2

Welcome Geoff!

A user on another forum wrote this…

I have 19x9.5 ET40 w/ 255/35-19 on mine and I rub on light dips with the trunk fully loaded and big dips when empty in the rear

On an 8.5, the same tire will run a bit narrower. The general rule of thumb is for every half inch difference, the tires section width will change by 2/10" (5mm).

So, if the wheel is 1 inch narrower, the 255 of the same model will run 10mm narrower (5mm inside/5mm outside less).

The et38 offset pushes the wheel closer to the fender by 2mm. So, 2mm-5mm=3mm more clearance than the example given.

In that case, you are probably going to see pretty much the same situation as he described, depending on how low your car is. You have a tiny bit more clearance, so it might be a bit better. The way he describes the rubbing, it doesnt seem major. If the rubbing really concerns you, then you can go with a higher offset wheel (like an et45) or maybe choose a brand tire that runs narrow for extra clearance.

Another option with an even better load rating is 245/40/19s. However, the tire is narrower, but taller. So it may rub somewhere else. Hard to say without a test fit, and that size doesnt seem to be too popular on these cars, like the 255/35s

#3

Welcome Geoff.

I always like to see where people are located. This way of you need help one of the members in here might be local or there might be a good shop to help you out of a jam

Anything v8 says is going to be well researched and experienced advice.

I assume you have the 4.2 A6… when you say modify the car what are your long term goals with the car. 20 inch rims kill the acceleration of the car while in some cases effecting the actual speed reading on the dashboard. If your going to do suspension work you might be able to get something with a adjustable stance to help fill the wheel gap.

#4

Thanks guys for the kind, helpful responses!

Updated the profile…living in Eugene, OR!

My goal is to create a very clean looking daily wagon. Have been working on the tyre/wheel setup with v8A6 as well as suspension. I think that is the best place to start.

I actually have the 3.0T which I realize has essentially no options for it! It’s like the neglected step child of the Audi lineup! I am waiting on the ECU flash until my warranty is up in the next year or so.

So I am left with small little touches that will help the car to be unique and hopefully stand out in a very subtle fashion.

THanks again!

Geoff

#5

There are a few 3.0t A6 guys in here. That’s a monster of a motor. Little mods go a long way. You should have a few cool options when you go that performance route. Wheel wise that will take some deep research. Looking forward to seeing more of the car and your posts.

#6

I would love to see the 3.0t community grow over here.

We have the fastest 3.0t A6 car that I know, here. Ynnekdude!

So, hopefully he will chime in and give you a run down of what he has done to get mid-12s out of his car.

If I were you, I would just CC what he did. It is easier to copy than to be a groundbreaker, when it comes to Audi performance modification.

Good Luck!

#7

I dunno, have you read about the S6 5.2? lol! Exhaust and ECU, after that we’re on our own. I seem to have a habit of buying “neglected” VW/Audi’s, as a passat V6 sits in my garage with virtually no available upgrade either. I like to think the lack of upgrades reflects the excellent engineering that goes into these cars in the first place, even though I know it’s probably really a reflection of the market for people looking at upgrades on said cars. Anyways, welcome!

#8

Lol don’t count that supercharged motor out just yet. :wink: I know a little bit from my supercharged days, and little upgrades can make a big difference. Better air flow + cooler charge you can add a smaller pulley that= lots more power.