tl;dr

• Known OEM baseline: 5x112, 57.1 mm bore, M14 x 1.5 bolts.
• Stock wheel: 16x7 ET45, backspacing 5.27 in.
• Stock tire: 205/55R16. Some trims may differ.
• Use the on-page calculator to test any change.
• Confirm bolt seat, hub bore fit, brake clearance before buying.

Recommendation

I start by locking in the OEM numbers, then iterate changes with the calculator. This avoids rub, speed error, and bolt seat mistakes.

• Set “Installed on” to 2001 Audi A6. Leave OEM as the baseline below.
• If using a donor wheel, select it under “Wheels from” for a direct compare.
• For aftermarket, use “Custom wheel size” and “Custom tire size.”
• Change width and offset in small steps. Watch inner and outer clearances.
• Changing rim diameter will update tire diameter in the comparison. Keep overall tire diameter close to stock, commonly within about 3 percent.
• Before purchase, confirm your trim’s placard tire size and any brake package notes. Some 2001 A6 trims shipped with different OEM tire sizes.

OEM Baseline Specs

If your door jamb placard lists a different tire size, use that as your starting point and mirror it in the calculator.

Impact

• Width: Wider wheels push the tire closer to the strut inside, and closer to the fender outside. Offset changes can compensate.
• Offset: Lower ET pushes the wheel outward. Higher ET moves it inward. Watch both directions in the calculator clearance readouts.
• Diameter: Taller tires fill the arch and can rub on compression. Shorter tires lower the car and affect speedometer readings.
• Center bore: Wheels larger than 57.1 mm need hub-centric rings to stay vibration free.
• Hardware: Audi uses M14 x 1.5 bolts. Match bolt seat type to the wheel. Do not mix ball and cone seats.
• Ride and load: Bigger, heavier packages can affect ride quality and bearing load. Keep total wheel and tire weight reasonable.

Risks and gotchas

• Brake caliper clearance: Test-fit or verify template clearance. Do not assume spoke clearance.
• Seat type mismatch: Ball-seat bolts in cone-seat wheels will loosen. Confirm with the wheel vendor.
• Spacer use: Only with proper hub-centric spacers and extended M14 x 1.5 hardware. Recalculate effective offset.
• Hub bore mismatch: Never run smaller-than-57.1 bores on this hub. Larger bores require rings sized to 57.1 mm ID.
• Speed error: Keep tire diameter close to stock, then verify with GPS on the road.
• Load and speed ratings: Tires must meet or exceed the vehicle’s placard ratings.
• Tire stretch: Avoid excessive stretch. It reduces sidewall support and rim protection.

Next actions

Checklist

• Confirm your exact trim’s placard tire size and any brake package notes.
• Enter the OEM baseline into the calculator as your “Installed on” setup.
• Model your donor or custom wheel and tire. Note inner and outer changes.
• Aim for minimal poke change and safe inner clearance to struts and liners.
• If hub bore on the wheel is larger than 57.1 mm, add rings to the plan.
• Match M14 x 1.5 hardware and the correct seat type for the wheel.
• Before final purchase, request a brake clearance confirmation from the seller or use a print template if provided.

Install steps

• Clean hubs, remove rust buildup, and test-fit one front and one rear.
• Verify hub-centric fit, bolt engagement, and brake clearance at full lock.
• Torque bolts in a star pattern to the OEM spec from your manual.
• Road test at low speed first. Check for rubbing over bumps and at full lock.
• Re-torque after 50 to 100 miles.

Helpful tools

• Torque wrench, 1/2 inch drive
• Hub-centric rings 57.1 mm ID
• M14 x 1.5 wheel bolts

Notes on variations

Factory equipment can vary by trim and brake package. If your 2001 Audi A6 placard shows a different tire size than 205/55R16, use that size as your baseline in the calculator. When in doubt, confirm against your VIN with an Audi parts catalog or your dealer. Avoid assumptions across trims.