Should I change wheels to improve ride and tyre noise on A6?

[wilsonajs]

I have just changed from a 54 plate A6 SE saloon 4.2 petrol riding on 17" wheels to an 09 plate A6 S line avant 3.0 TFSI on 19". Both cars have a Continental Contact Sport on each corner. Although the tyres on the old A6 were nearly new, the tyres on the new car are nearly worn out.

After one week of driving my impression is that tyre noise and ride are both significantly worse on the new car.

I guess with an estate I should expect a bit more noise coming in through the back. Maybe the worn tyres are having an effect too.

Even so the tyre noise at motorway speeds is more than I expected and the ride is noticeably bumpier.

If I change from 19" to 17" wheels would things improve? Anyone want to swap?

Also I've heard of an optional lowered S line suspension - how can I check I don't have that and is there something I can do if I do?

Thanks all,
Andy

[Gio G]

I found the Continental Contact Sport had quite a bit of tyre noise on my A4. If you look at the DB ratings, I do not think they are great in this department. I swapped my fronts out for vredestein ultrac sessanta, tyre noise reduction, however no where near the same grip!

[Chippo1]

Not experienced these car but on A4 have a cooking A4 on 17 with ordinary tyres still quite harsh over joint in concrete road and small bumps but ok .

Had a coupe, of S line A4 and an A5 as,loan car for up to a week,,they all had big wheels,and tyres like elastic bands , they all tramlines like Scaletrix,cars and we're noisy and harsh I didn't take note of tyre makes all fairly,low mileage so,I presume factory fit.

So for comfort I would go for smaller wheels at the expense of racy looks. With tyres with taller side walls

[Dr G]

S-Line A6s get sport suspension as standard.

17s or 18s will make a modest improvement, yes.

I'd keep the 19s for resale time, personally. The 17s go for little in the summer months.

[john banks]

Tried A6 and A7 at dealer recently. The A6 without the S line stuff and on 17s had an almost acceptable ride. The A7 on 19s with S line badges was worse than my R35 GTR. The only Audi that I have been in that rides properly was on air suspension so I bought it, devoid of all S line frippery and similar price.

[shtu]

I'm looking into the Eibach\Bilstein B6 combo as a way of improving the ride quality, though any car on 35 profile tyres is always going to be bit harsh.

[wilsonajs]

Dr G said:

S-Line A6s get sport suspension as standard.

17s or 18s will make a modest improvement, yes.

I'd keep the 19s for resale time, personally. The 17s go for little in the summer months.

That's a good point about keeping the 19s for resale. Time to clear a corner in the garage for them...

On the suspension height, I've read that from the 2009 facelift onwards the A6 S-line/Le Mans came with sports suspension that was 20mm lower than the SE as standard but you could take a no cost option that gave you suspension lowered by 30mm.

Does anyone know how I can find out which option this car has? Presumably there are some reference points I could measure to see what height above ground/axle I've got?

Thanks everyone.

[andrewparker]

The data sticker (one in the boot, one in the service schedule book) would normally contain all the codes relevant to the options your car has. A call to Audi UK should shed light on it though.

[Andy JB]

I'm afraid thats the difference between SE & S line suspension plus lower profiles on the larger wheels. Completely unacceptable I agree which is why I bought an Allroad to replace my old A6, which has pneumatic (air) suspension which rides much better even on 19" 40 profile tyres & you can still firm it up in its dynamic setting when required.

Perhaps get some taller profiles ie 45/50 on 17" rims it will make at least some difference

[muchacho]

After 3-or-so years with my C6 s-line Avant I suppose I have got a bit used to the ride. At first it was a boneshaker with Pirelli P-zeros on 18" rims. Tyre choice has softened it markedly: for summer my current Barums are far more comfortable than the Pirellis, and for winter Nokians are far more forgiving than Continentals. The differing qualities of tyres shouldn't be underestimated.

[Kell]

We've got a C6 Le Mans with 19" wheels. Coming from a BMW with horrid run-flats it wasn't as bad as I thought, but is noticeably softer and more compliant on the 17" I run in winter.

Haven't yet had a free weekend to put the Summers back on, but I'm kind of dreading it.

[LeoSayer]

What's the problem with the ride?

In my experience, smaller bumps and rough surfaces can be smoothed by smaller wheels / bigger tyre sidewalls. Larger bumps, speed humps etc can be smoothed by a noticeable reduction in unsprung weight (eg. 3kg per corner) and/or softer suspension.

[Pistachio]

I had Dunlops on my 19" wheels (split Rim)A6 tdi quattro and it was very comfy ride but the tyres were quite soft so didnt last very long. The Conti's will last longer but that is probably why the ride is harder and noiser.
Horse's for Courses.
Smaller Wheels and bigger sidewalls will help