2012 Audi A5 Quattro Tires

The 2012 Audi A5 Quattro uses two primary tire sizes: 245/40R18 and 255/35R19. Both are radial fitments, and both apply to the A5 Quattro range covered here, including the Base and Cabriolet configurations.

The deciding factor is the wheel diameter currently on the car. A 245/40R18 belongs on an 18-inch wheel, while a 255/35R19 belongs on a 19-inch wheel, so checking the actual wheel setup is essential before selecting a tire. On cars that have changed wheels over time, the mounted size should never be assumed from the model name alone.

A 2012 Audi A5 Quattro uses either an 18-inch or 19-inch rim, depending on which tire size is on the car. The 245/40R18 fitment uses an 18-inch rim, and the 255/35R19 fitment uses a 19-inch rim.

That makes wheel diameter the first fitment checkpoint before comparing brands or tire series. A buyer should also confirm the wheel width of the car’s current setup, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, because the available products in these sizes carry their own rim-width compatibility ranges. Getting the diameter right is mandatory, and confirming width helps avoid selection mistakes.

The covered 2012 Audi A5 Quattro sub-models share the same fitment pattern rather than having unique sizes tied only to one body style. Both the Base and Cabriolet can use 245/40R18 or 255/35R19, and both fitments are radial.

That means the sub-model name is less important than the actual wheel package on the vehicle. The safest approach is to confirm whether the car is wearing 18-inch or 19-inch wheels and then choose within that matching tire size. This is especially important on used vehicles, where wheel changes may have occurred long after the car left its original configuration.

Start with the correct primary size for the wheel on the car: 245/40R18 for 18-inch wheels or 255/35R19 for 19-inch wheels. From there, compare radial tire series, sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and the role the car serves, whether that is regular road use, appearance-focused driving, or a more specialized purpose.

Some 245/40R18 options lean toward performance street use, while one is built around drag-race use and others offer visual treatments such as redline or raised white letter styling. The 255/35R19 choices are more concentrated in blackwall performance-oriented radials. Matching the tire to the car’s actual use matters just as much as matching the size to the wheel.

Sidewall style depends on the tire size you are shopping. In 245/40R18, available sidewall treatments include blackwall, redline, and RWL, while the 255/35R19 choices here are blackwall only.

That gives the 18-inch fitment more room for appearance-based decisions, especially for owners who want a more customized or nostalgic visual touch on a modern Audi. The 19-inch fitment is more focused on conventional blackwall presentation. Sidewall style should be treated as a finishing choice after confirming the correct size, wheel diameter, and the type of driving the car will actually see.

Available brands for the 2012 Audi A5 Quattro include BFGoodrich, Nitto, Pro-Trac, and M&H Racemaster. Brand choice varies by size, with the 245/40R18 fitment showing the broadest mix and the 255/35R19 fitment concentrating on BFGoodrich offerings.

Choosing among them is less about naming a single best brand and more about identifying the type of tire you need. Some tires emphasize mainstream street performance, some add distinctive sidewall styling, and one 245/40R18 option is intended for drag-race use. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare each tire’s series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width suitability rather than shopping by brand name alone.

A period-style approach on a 2012 Audi A5 Quattro usually starts by keeping the correct wheel diameter and tire size already on the car, then choosing a radial tire whose look matches the presentation you want. In 245/40R18, that may include blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styling, while 255/35R19 choices are more understated blackwall options.

Because this is a modern Audi rather than a mid-century restoration car, appearance usually centers on preserving the car’s era-appropriate stance instead of recreating a narrow factory-era tire look. Owners who care about exact original-delivery details should verify wheel and trim history through model-specific references first, then use the correct size as the foundation for the final tire decision.

For the 2012 Audi A5 Quattro, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial. That means appearance differences come less from choosing bias-ply versus radial and more from selecting the right size, wheel diameter, tire series, and sidewall treatment within the radial category.

A 245/40R18 with redline or raised white letter styling creates a very different impression from a blackwall tire in the same size, even though the construction remains radial. On a car being refreshed for collector-style presentation, keeping the proportions consistent with the existing wheel package usually matters more visually than chasing novelty. Correct diameter and balanced overall presentation should lead the decision.

Yes. A 2012 Audi A5 Quattro may have the correct nominal tire size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, offset changes, suspension modifications, or lowered ride height can all affect actual fitment and clearance.

That is especially important on a car that can run either 18-inch or 19-inch wheel packages. Before changing tires, verify the wheel diameter, confirm the wheel width against the tire’s approved range, and look closely at inner clearance, fender space, and steering movement. A modified car should always be evaluated by its current setup rather than by model-year fitment alone.

Check that the new tires match the wheel diameter on the car, are mounted in the correct size, and seat properly on the wheels. Tire pressure, valve condition, tread condition, and any visible issues such as cuts, bulges, or bead damage also deserve attention before the car goes back into regular road use.

A short clearance check is worthwhile as well, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or suspension changes. Turn the steering from lock to lock, look for rubbing points, and make sure the tires do not contact liners or bodywork under compression. After the first few drives, recheck pressure and inspect for any signs that the setup is not behaving as expected.

Tires on a 2012 Audi A5 Quattro should be inspected regularly, not just when they appear low or worn. Pressure, tread wear, sidewall condition, and any signs of impact damage or slow air loss should be checked routinely, especially on a car that may alternate between seasonal use and longer storage periods.

Inspection matters even more on enthusiast-owned cars that are driven less often than daily transportation. Tires can age, develop cracking, or lose pressure while the car sits, and those issues may not be obvious until the vehicle is back on the road. A quick walk-around before longer drives and a more careful inspection at regular intervals helps catch problems early.