<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/102367/car2.jpg"></center><p>What do you guys think? This is my interpretation of the European Le Mans Edition with a 4.2L engine. 19" RS4 Reps from Velocity Motoring, 255/35/19 Rides the same as the stock s-line 18" rims and looks better IMO.

I'm not buying that the ride is the same. When I speak to people I know and trust, they say they see a difference when going up a size -- big time.

Not calling you a liar (really), just suggesting that you may be downplaying the difference in light of your understandable enthusiasm about getting some very nice new wheels.

The only thing different that I have noticed is more tire noise and less tramlining on the highway (drifting with the grooves) also improved cornering grip with the increased wheel width. I went from Pzreo rosso's to an Avon Tech M500. If your friends tell it is a big difference so be it, I have had my car for almost a year now and have 17K on it and I think that I would know how it drives by now. The new 2007 A6's have a 19" wheel option now, maybe someone else could put their two cents in about this.

All things being equal, the rims and tires will weigh more at 19 inches compared with 18.

I used to write about motorcycles, and the issue is even more critical there.

Out of curiousity, do you know how much your RS4 replicas weigh?

4.2 C6, are those newer wheels lighter than the older ones? Going up in size generally adds weight unless you're going to a lot lighter design.

ACGSP, doesn't the amount of rubber sitting between the wheel and the road (i.e., the amount of sidewall) also affect ride quality? I have to image that with less material to absorb road imperfections, more vibration will be transmitted through the suspension? I can see that a lighter wheel will allow the suspension to do it's job of absorbing bumps better, but I have to imagine that the tire also plays an important role in damping out the bumps.

You'd also be surprised at the change that occurs when using tires from diff manufacturers. My wife just changed hers (same size) from Bridgestone to Conti Premium Contacts, and the ride was far better controlled and less springy. Bumps are probably absorbed less, but I prefer the control.

Also the PAX (run-flat) tires are also very stiff, and BMW owners have complained about them.

Best to have light, stiff tires, light rims, ceramic brakes (wishful thinking) and aluminium suspension components. Bikes are at the leading edge in this respect.

Did you add that? Is it OEM? I assume it could be added to a 3.2, right?

the unsprung weight can actually be lighter than the heavy OEM 18" rims.

I'm not sure how much longer my wheels can withstand the pummeling of Manhattan's streets. I heard that BBS has a strengthened wheel that resists bending, so I'm thinking about going down that route. Your wheels do look mighty fine though.

Not in love the spoiler but you've made the car your own and that's what counts.

are currently the lightest forged OEMs, but I'm not thrilled with their looks. My 17 inch Avus look great, but are pretty heavy as they're cast alloy.

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate them all.

Get info on the rims at Velocity Motoring located in Santa Ana, California<ul><li><a href="http://www.velocitymotoring.com/">http://www.velocitymotoring.com/</a</li></ul>

Wow, and they are 19's too!

If I end up 'having' to get new wheels, it's your fault you know.

The whole package just looks tremendous.

The RS4 wheels look very nice on your car.

For the post about 19s riding worse than factory 18s, it's not an issue about the diameter of the rim, but the width of the sidewall. One of my last sets of 20" wheels had a large tire, 255-35-20 and had an excellent ride.

Normally when going to a +1 or +2 fitment, the sidewall of the tire decreases (while the rim size increases) to keep the aftermarket setup at the same diameter as what was originally on the car.

On my current setup - I have gone to a sidewall that is much smaller so that I can get an identical overall diameter as the stock 18" wheels, They have unfortunately noticably decreased the quality of my ride.

Which is why, assuming you're following the "plus" concept of wheel sizing, a larger wheel will produce a harsher ride -- <i>all other things being equal.</i>

That last phrase is also key. I can see the impact on ride quality being minimized if you go to a lighter wheel and a softer sidewall. The catch is that either of those things is hard to do when going up a wheel size. Larger wheels tend to weigh more and you generally need a stiffer sidewall as you go down in aspect ratio.

So, it <i>can</i> be the case that going up in wheel size will not produce a harsher ride, but I think it's much more the exception than the rule.

I didn't feel much of a difference going from the stock 17" sport wheels on my old B6 A4 to 18" wheels.

Which BBS wheels are they? sounds interesting.