MichaelChicago

Finally settled on a winter setup for my A7. For summer, the car is on the 20" sport wheels, which are 20 x 9 et 37, with Pirelli PZeros 265/35ZR20. I wound up deciding on a set of Hartmann S5 reps, HS5-209-GA:M, glossy anthracite with machined lips and spoke faces, in size 19 x 8.5 et 25, with Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 performance winter/snow tires in 255/40R19. The winter wheels and tires fit perfectly, no spacers, no rubbing. I'll post some shots if the weather lets up this week-end. Hartmann has two A7s wearing these wheels in 20" in their web site gallery. The wheel style is similar to the wheels being shown in publicity shots of the S7 and I liked the look. I think the lines of the wheels compliment the lines of the car really well.

Thanks to members here for your tips and advice. It really helped me with the process.

I would also note that my dealer tried test fitting a set of OEM S5 wheels in this style, which are 19 x 8.5 et 32, and they did not clear the brake calipers without spacers. No problem with the Hartmann reps, which are et 25, no spacers.

MichaelChicago

Here are a few shots of my winter setup. I'm pretty happy with the fit and the look.

sambuca 57

My premium plus has the 19" 10-spoke wheels with 255-40R19goodyear all-seasons. I wanted to go down to an 18 x 8 package for my winter tires, for a deeper sidewall to deal with the usual wheel bending winter potholes.

Audi only offered a 19" wheel/tire combo, even though the standard package on an A7 Premium is an 18" wheel with 255-45R18s. I shopped around and found that most winter tires are not available in that size.

Here is the 19" Audi winter tire/wheel combo:
http://microsites.audiusa.com/ngw/11...es/A7_2012.jpg

I ended up ordering 18" bridgestone Blizzak LM-60s on Replica RS-4 wheels from Discount Tire. Turns out their RS4 rep didn't fit the A7, so I ended up with these wheels. I like the way they look on the car:

morrisryanc

What percentage tint do you have on your A7? Are the front and back side windows the same percentage of pass-through rating? Here in Virginia, we're only allowed 35% in the rear windscreen and rear side windows, and 50% in the front driver and passenger windows.

JerryS4

Great choices for wheels guys. My second choice for the 19" wheels is the S5 wheel on Mike's while I always like the S4 18" wheels from the S4 on Sambuca's.

sambuca 57

Actually, I haven't done any tinting. The car is stock (except for the new wheels / winter tires...)

cbb09

Have the same ones since last week. Very good tire.

oddioman

Hi all,
Here are a few shots of my new winter boots. I decided to downsize to a 19" wheel for my Utah winter. This is a 19 x 8 wheel wrapped in 245/40/19 Blizzak LM60 tires. The whole set up cost $2k installed.

Got the wheels off ebay and was nervous they wouldn't fit but luckily they did without spacers etc. Here's the item number on ebay if any of you are interested in a verified fit rim: Item #270730958909

Discount Tire supplied the tires and did a great job mounting them. I knew that increasing sidewall, reducing width, and switching to a winter compound would affect handling but I was still surprised at how "squishy" the A7 rides now. IMHO, those most interested in winter tires for spirited driving in cold climates without heavy snowfall should look elsewhere. Dunlop 3D, Michelin Alpin, etc. I'm excited to test these tires in snow to see the upside of the dry road trade offs.

I'm pretty happy with the looks (especially compared to other more expensive options...cough....AUDI OEM...cough) for a winter set up but I'll be happy to get the 20"s back on come spring.

Hopefully this helps some of you looking for winter solutions and if nothing else gives you one more option to consider.

Cheers,

Scott

csomogyi

I have 20" summer tires currently and was thinking about changing to pirelli winter 240 sottozeros. Anyone have these? Also, will the TPMS still work with winter tires?

JerryS4

TPMS is based on wheel rotation measurement and not pressure sensing on the A7 so no problem changing the tires. Just inflate to proper pressure and reset the dash controls.