Johnny

I just purchased a set of 2000 16" sport wheels for my 99.5 A4 1.8TQ non-sport. I'm going to put 225-50-16 tires on them. However, I've heard from several sources that 225 may be too wide. Can somebody help me out? Also, if you have 225-50-16's on your A4, can you please post pics?

Thanks!

Rob O

I ran them on both my '96 and '98.5 without any problems. When you mount them, the rears will seem <u>very</u> close (less than finger width between the tire and suspension). But I never had any rubbing at all.
The overall diameter is a near perfect match to the OE 205/55/16 so you won't have any speedo/odo errors either.

The only thing that may take some getting used to is the "pudginess" of the sidewall. While 205/55s are flush with the wheel, the 225/50s seem fat. Once you get used to the look though, you'll find the extra buldge provides unmatched rim protection.

Here's a couple shots of 225/50s (on OE 16" Sport 7-spokes) on my '98.5...

<img src="http://131.107.68.28/a4org/1999/plus0sp8000_front.jpg">

<img src="http://131.107.68.28/a4org/1999/plus0sp8000_rear1.jpg">

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gdewiTT

How did they perform and feel?

RuS4

Are the tires noiser than the stock sp8000 ??

stanj

I had them, worked just fine!

Rob O

I'd say there was a noticable difference from the 205/55s, especially when cornering hard. The 225/50 SP 8000s also did commendably well on the track, although they chunked and curdled something aweful. Not sure how much <i>real</i> benefit there is on the street with the 225/50s over the OE Sport 205/55 SP 8000Es, but the 225/50 setup is a huge step up from the OE GY Ealge RS 205/55s.
On the negative side, the 225s have a greater tendancy to track with road variations, such as ruts, causing more "pull" in steering feedback and requiring a bit more concentration. On heavily rutted roads they pull all over the place, which wasn't apparent with the OE setup.

Hope that helps,

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Rob O

The 225/50 setup itself wasn't any noisier than the OE 205/55s, but the SP 8000s (non 'E') got ridiculously noisy after about 20K miles. I've owned 4x4s with 35" Mud T/As that weren't as loud as my last SP 8000s got. I'm now running 235/40 Pirelli P Zeros -- which have often been touted as a bit loud -- and they are whisper quite compared to the Dunlops. Maybe once the P Zeros wear they'll get louder, but man those SP 8000s were obnoxious! : )

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