JMR

Is there such a thing as an all-season 21" tire? Have been looking at combinations other than 255/35 but can't seem to find anything.
(I live in WI and would prefer not to deal with changing wheels.)

JMR

or do I just skip the black optic package

CHIO

there is NO 21 all season tire yet

markcincinnati

What are you hoping to gain with the Audi OEM 21" wheel/tire option?

#1 the width (contact patch) does not change from the OEM 20" wheel/tire configuration
#2 the aspect ratio does go from 40% to 35%, thus stiffening the sidewalls and degrading the ride quality (assuming you're not going to 35 series for track purposes)
#3 the weight (the UNSPRUNG weight) changes -- it INCREASES
#4 generally speaking, the road noise increases -- which is irrelevant if the purpose is to "race" or track the car
#5 the ride quality tends to deteriorate, again irrelevant for a track-use car
#6 bent wheel likelihood increases
#7 the tires cost more, the wheel replacements (which in some parts of the US are almost inevitable) cost more, too
#8 "if" identically styled wheels in 20" diameters were on the car, it would be difficult to see the difference -- and since the circumference remains the same (to make the ABS and other features work appropriately) there will be, as a practical matter, no difference (unless the car is tracked) on the majority of US Interstates, highways, roads, streets, and secondary/surface strees and roads.

It is a crying shame that Audi (USA) doesn't offer BOTH 20 and 21-inch size wheels that are STYLED identically (but the 21s should cost more, naturally) and let the customers make more than a styling decision on something as important as tires and wheels. Perhaps in Germany, there is a case that favors the 21" wheels with a 35 aspect ratio tire -- in the US (at least some of the US), ordering the S6 with 21" wheels/tires OR burning $50 bills is an equivalent function.

I'll keep my cash.

19hole

Michelin does make a 21" tire in the AS3+ line, however it is significantly larger than the OEM tire in the black optic package.

markcincinnati

So, the circumference changes, yes?

Mike911A8

tire Rack carries a Perelli P7 A/S 275/35-21. It is V rated, so you are limited to about 150 mph, if that’s a concern.

it is interesting that this tire only shows up if you search by tire size; it will not be displayed if you search Tire Rack via vehicle model.

mike

aquarian

Those Pirelli are grand touring all season tires and perhaps aren't meant to be on the S6/S7. I am in the same boat. I just ordered an S7 with black optics and will probably sell the stock 21" and find myself a set of 20" with ultra high performance all season tires like what I have now. As mentioned above, it's just a shame that Audi doesn't give customers options to choose wheels that are part of a package. If Audi could install 20" on my built I would be very happy. Now sure if that's possible at all.

gk1

The 275/35R21 probably doesn't show on Tirerack because it is not the OE size for either a C7 (275/30R21) nor C8 (255/35R21).
The tire category vs. vehicle is irrelevant. If you want grand touring tires and you find them in the right size with the correct load rating and speed rating you are happy with, then it does not matter that it is going on an S7, you just might give up some ultimate handling, but you'd be doing that with any A/S tire.

Mike911A8

+1. After much trepidation, I installed the Pirelli P7 A/S in this size on my S8 Plus about six months ago, and I have been pleasantly surprised. I think they handle just as well as the OE Dunlap summer tires, they have the correct load rating, and they seem quieter. FWIW, the P7’s are the Porsche “N” designation, which doesn’t make the tires magic, or some such thing, rather they match up with the Porsche suspension. It’s been my experience in other cars that “N” tires tend to be firmer in the sidewall. I figured that if the P7’s didn’t pan out, then I would ultimately go with 20” wheels. They have panned out. Best case for me would be the availability of high performance A/S tires the next time around.

mike