Just purchased an S4 Avant and questioned why car has compact spare. Have heard different reasons including full size spare won't fit and car needs compact spare in order to pass rear end collision tests.

Any definitive answers out there? Is it safe to replace compact with full size spare?

Thanks for advice.

Regards,
Bryan

When you lift the carpet and look at the back edge, there is a plastic lip that runs across the curvature of the wheel well opening.

I think this lip supports the weight of whatever you are carrying in the Avant's trunk, and eliminating it (as I have thought of before by a Dremel) may do more harm than good.

I haven't changed a flat tire (knock on wood) for about 4 years.

But you can try to see if it will fit and report back.

x2 Good wheel - $250 o/b/o a piece with 5000 miles on them. (plus 45 dollar per wheel shipping) -- i have 2 people want both wheel already.. email me to get on the waiting list..
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/2203/dscf1303.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/2203/dscf1304.jpg">

x2 slightly scretch wheel - $190 a piece o/b/o a piece with 5000 miles on them. Available!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/2203/dscf1302.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/2203/dscf1305.jpg">

let me know!

figured the extra $50-100 more just was not worth it. Same boat you are in, pissed that it at least wasn't an option. That and the fact about not being able to put my flat full size in that space because of the bar being in the way like Jyoteen says. &lt;knock on wood&gt; If I ever have a flat in the rain and have to put my full size tire in with my stuff, Audi (OTS) will be hearing from me. To replace anything that was damaged from the filthy tire/wheel. The well is big enough to carry a full size BTW. It's just the bar is hindering entrance.

One time someone asked me about taking on something...I beat him senseless with a fistfull of quarters and stole all his motor oil. God I hate diarrhea.

<ul><li><a href="http://www.rs4.org/rs4/rs4-fearture/rs4-spare-wheel/rs4-spare-wheel.htm">http://www.rs4.org/rs4/rs4-fearture/rs4-spare-wheel/rs4-spare-wheel.htm</a</li></ul>

2-3" difference in load area. Done as a packaging thing to give more internal room. That is all.

Had my Avant for 2 1/2 yrs and a flat made me wonder as well(way back in '98).

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/18314/up-women-00423.jpg"></center><p>

It's shocking enough that the allroad only comes with a toy spare and a compressor.

Or guy who changed his handle on 8/23...be nice.