AF 4.2

If you have upgraded to 17 inch wheels, please, please, please give me your opinion.
I have read on some message boards if you upgrade to a larger wheel your car will be slower low end (0-30) and quicker top end (50MPH and up).

Please let me know if you noticed this when you upgraded from the 16's to 17's.
I am concerned with losing the quickness from 0-30.
Thank you for your responses, I really appreciate it.

larryV

Performance-wise, the handling benefits of 17" will usually far outweigh the 0-60 or straightline quickness assuming the upgrade to 17" will be an increase in weight. If you find wheels you like that don't increase the unsprung weight then there should be no straightline performance difference. It all depends on the weight of the wheel. For example, my stock 16" sports package 7-spokers were about 20.5 lbs. I upgraded to 17" Ace Lolas which were 21.8 lbs... a very insignificant difference and will not reveal any loss or gain in straighline performance. But if I went with a wheel that was lets say 8 lbs heavier, then I might notice some straightline performance loss. However, the handling has vastly improved with the 17" and is mostly attributable to a larger contact patch due to the wider wheel, more sidewall support due to the lower profile tire, and of course, the stickier tires. Keep in mind that more often than not, going to 17" or larger wheels will result in increased ride harshness and depending on the the tire and size, susceptibility to tramlining. But the car will handle better as well as give you more road feedback. HTH.<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/larrycivicsig.jpg">

AF 4.2

Your wheels (Ace Lola'a) are the ones I would consider if I go with the 1.8 or 2.8 A4.

Do you notice ANY difference at all since the overall increase in weight was so minimal ?

larryV

Nope... absolutely no perceptible difference in straightline performance (and there shouldn't be) with my Lolas.

But, the 17" Lolas combined with Potenza RE730 225/45/17 gave my car more responsiveness, much better handling, and you'd have to try real hard to break them loose. I was taking an on-ramp once at a speed that my SP8000 would squeal over and with the new wheels and tires, they will not sing.

In my case, a 1 lb. increase in unsprung weight equals to about a ~2.5 lb. increase in "sprung" weight. With 4 wheels on my car, it would be like taking my cat for a drive (if I had a cat)

However, a 8 lb. weight difference per wheel would be like taking your little 80 lb. brother for a ride. So like I said, straight-line performance is very negligible when it comes to wheels unless you're really worried about your 1/4-mile times at the dragstrip or your lap times at the track.

Of course you can take into consideration the physics of it all (moment of inertia of heavier wheel, etc, etc.) ...but I'm no physics expert (I hated physics) and we won't get into that because it's really insignificant.<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/larrycivicsig.jpg">

geoff

how do the Potenza's perform in the rain? i'm considering them but can't find much info on overall performance yet...especially wet traction.

thanks.<p>Geoff
99.5 A4 1.8TQMS, TAP stage 2, HKS

larryV

The RE730's were great in the rain the one time I got to try them during a heavy SoCali downpour. It saved my *** when a wet-braking incident happened. Check out this <a href="https://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a4/239436.phtml">thread</a>.<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/larrycivicsig.jpg">

RogDog

First of all, let me state that I don't actually know how much my 17s are over the stock 16s, but I guesstimate that my wheels run in the 23lb to 25lb range. Based on my seat of the pants analysis, I feel that the car has lost a little quickness from 0-30.

Since I don't actually have any hard performance data, this could all be in my head. But the next time around, I'll pay a little extra to get wheels that are both light AND strong.

Still, I like how my wheels look and the improved handling is nice. I don't feel that the upgrade to 17" has hurt the ride significantly (I have the Audi Sport Package.)

- Rog

'99 Silver 2.8QMS

ChrisP

My 17 RH ZW1 ate lighter then my stock rims that came with the car.

Reggie3

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/Mas7.jpg"></center><p>Total weight from 16" sport (seven spoke) to 17" MAS MGRs went from 43lbs to ~48lbs.

As Larry said the benifits of the 17" far out weigh (pardon the pun) the addtional weight. I also like the responsiveness of the 17" lower profile tires. Something I don't think gets mentioned.
Reggie

98.5 2.8QMS