So I prepared to go tire shopping...

[alonkut]

for my 2001 allroad 2.7t and I found some inconsistencies... The tires I purchased the car with are: 225/60/16 But when I punch an AR into ANY tire company browser the ONLY option is: 225/55/17 I called my local dealer and checked the VIN which listed: 225/70/17 BUT the big Audi dealer specs the AR model at: 215/55/16 Sooo, I checked the inside of the rear passenger which lists: 205/70/16 !! My question is what is best for the car and handling. Looks like the 205's are rare/expensive. Plus the 225's probably give better handling. Or are these differences too small to worry about? I went to: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html and it looks like the middle ground is 215/65/16 @1% off. Opinions appreciated!

[Gary@Tirerack.com]

Originally Posted by alonkut

for my 2001 allroad 2.7t
and I found some inconsistencies...

The tires I purchased the car with are:
225/60/16

But when I punch an AR into ANY tire company browser the ONLY option is:
225/55/17

I called my local dealer and checked the VIN which listed:
225/70/17

BUT the big Audi dealer specs the AR model at:
215/55/16

Sooo, I checked the inside of the rear passenger which lists:
205/70/16 !!

My question is what is best for the car and handling. Looks like the
205's are rare/expensive. Plus the 225's probably give better handling.
Or are these differences too small to worry about?

I went to:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

and it looks like the middle ground is 215/65/16 @1% off.

Opinions appreciated!

First you need to match the last # (ie 16 or 17)to what you have on the car now no matter what since 16" tires won't fit on 17" wheels and visa versa.

The stock original size on ALL 2001 Audi allroad's is 225/55R17. If someone change your wheels to 16" wheels, then the correct sizes would be either 225/60R16 or 215/65R16.

215/55R16 is what a regular A6 wagon would use, not an allroad.

In short, I would suggest you stick with 225/60R16.

Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR8&...ires/index.jsp