Help with winter tires, Please

[RLott42]

Hey guys, long time lurker here.

I need to pick up a set of winter tires ASAP.

I own a 03 a6 4.2 with the 17inch 5spoke wheels.

I'm looking for a winter specific tire because I'm going to pick up a set of 19s for the spring summer.

I live in Iowa so winters are extreeme.

Thanks for the help guys! I know nothing about tires.

[Viking]

Check out www.tirerack.com excellent source for tires. Just select your model and year and winter tires and rim size then you can review tire options.

I liked Blizzaks for all out snow and ice traction but you do lose performance in the dry and have to adjust your driving with these tires. I have heard good things about the Dunlop Winter Sports but based on reviews Blizzaks are better in deep snow and ice traction but the Dunlops perform better in the dry, because it is a winter performance tire.

I am trying out Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 on 18inch rims, because I wanted to try winter performance tires and based on the current reviews on tirerack (although not many for this new tire), they seem to outperfrom the Dunlops Winter Sports. These tires so far in my opinion have been excellent in the dry and wet, I can't wait to try them in the snow.

[nickyreno]

Yea tirerack is probably your best bet. Or a local tire center, they will go through the same winters as you and may be able to help you out.

[Doc@tirerack]

Unfortunately, we don't have any super aggressive tread designs available to us for 17" applications (255/40R17), so you'd be looking at a performance winter tire like the Dunlop WinterSport or Bridgestone Blizzak LM25. Both tires will offer much better wet and ice traction (compared to all season tires), but will be just slightly better in deep snow.

[RLott42]

Doc -

Since I'm getting new wheels come spring would you recommend a purchase a winter wheel tire set then?

Thanks guys for the help on this!

[Viking]

Unfortunately, we don't have any super aggressive tread designs available to us for 17" applications (255/40R17), so you'd be looking at a performance winter tire like the Dunlop WinterSport or Bridgestone Blizzak LM25. Both tires will offer much better wet and ice traction (compared to all season tires), but will be just slightly better in deep snow.

The tirerack website also offers an alternate 17" size tire (235/45-17) for the '03 A6 4.2 which would give more options as far as dedicated winter tires go.

Side note: The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 is listed as closeout. It is marked as a NEW tire. Any reason why it is being listed as closeout?

[Doc@tirerack]

Side note: The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 is listed as closeout. It is marked as a NEW tire. Any reason why it is being listed as closeout?

Any tire that we mark as closeout are not able for reorder for the remainder of year. That's in an effort to make it clear that when we are sold out we are sold out ! It doesn't mean that Michelin is discontinuing the model, which was new for last year and should be around for the next few seasons..........

[chrislane31]

I love my Hankook Icebears in 235/45/17

[Viking]

Any tire that we mark as closeout are not able for reorder for the remainder of year. That's in an effort to make it clear that when we are sold out we are sold out ! It doesn't mean that Michelin is discontinuing the model, which was new for last year and should be around for the next few seasons..........

Excellent! Thanks for the reply Doc! [up]