Does upgrading from the stock 16' rims and tires add more unsprung weight going to a decent 17' with 225/45/17 tires. I was thinking about Borbet rims? Is there any negetive side affect to this upgrade. I know many people do this.
thanks.

Is the overall weight of the larger wheels and tires greater than the current setup (stock 16" wheels are about 22lbs I believe)? If so, then yes, unsprung weight is increased, if not then no. Generally speaking lighter wheels are more expensive...was at a tuning shop a while back and picked up an 18" wheel that couldn't have weighed more than 10-15 lbs, the price was over $1,000 each. Not only is the weight unsprung, it is also rotational...meaning weight differences are magnified.

The only significant downside of going to larger wheels (as long as they're not a lot heavier than stock) is they give a harsher ride and are more prone to pothole damage...tradeoffs for better handling and appearance.

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms