I know this topic has probably been debated to death, but after reading nearly all the posts, I still can't make up my mind between 17" or 18" rims. I have a 2000 A4 2.8QM w/ sports suspention. Currently it's running on 16" MM Evo's + OEM Dunlop 8000E's. I don't want to stiffen up the ride or add to the road noise too much, and the area I live in has fairly good road, but rains quite a lot, and snows about twice a year.

Based on my initial assessment, I picked our this wheel/tire combo:

MM Spider 17" or 18"
+
1) Yokohama AVS db
2) Dunlop SP 5000
3) Michelin Pilot Sport ($$$)

What do you guys think? Which combo will give me the best dry/wet traction, doesn't add a whole lot of road noise, works well with the stock suspention, and absolutely no bent rims?

go with 17". I guess that's obvious. Also, with the stock sport suspension, the wheel gap will optically seem bigger if you go with 18". For the same reasons, I think I will also stick with 17".

I wouldn't risk it with the MM though, they are somewhat on the soft side.

-st