View Full Version : Winter Treads
darkhorse53
08-05-2011, 08:54 PM
I would like to hear from those that drive their S4's in snow country, what wheel/tire combinations you use. I am planning to pick up a set of winter performance tires and new wheels, but I am open to other suggestions. Moving south is not in the current plan [:)]
Dave
tahoskier
08-05-2011, 10:58 PM
I used 18" 245/40/18 Blizzak LM-60s. They were great in the snow. We had a huge snow year last year and they did very well. The clearance of an S4 even with stock suspension is the only problem in the snow if there was anything more than a foot on the ground.
I'm selling my Blizzaks if you are interested. Only used this last season. I'm not going to drive my S4 in the winter anymore.
forza1976
08-05-2011, 11:03 PM
Blizzaks FTW. Been great on my last two bmw's and can't wait to see how the s4 fairs.
phillips2024
08-06-2011, 03:38 AM
I will be having to get a different setup soon too. thinking about getting a new rim to fit the oem summer tires and then pick up a snow tire to fit the peelers. blizzaks or hakkapeliitta's possibly. looking forward to see what everyone has for setups.
I used 18" 245/40/18 Blizzak LM-60s. They were great in the snow. We had a huge snow year last year and they did very well. The clearance of an S4 even with stock suspension is the only problem in the snow if there was anything more than a foot on the ground.
I'm selling my Blizzaks if you are interested. Only used this last season. I'm not going to drive my S4 in the winter anymore.
do you have the 18s with them? willing to sell together?
Phrost
08-06-2011, 07:45 AM
Why not just checkout Tirerack.com for a wheel/tire combo, or else there's time to source a set or replica wheels or something used and get tires mounted later...
I'm sitting on a set of VMR's I want to run in the winter, but the last couple times I've checked noone is really making that many winter tires right now so prices are kinda high... I'm waiting for fall and I'll find some sort of a sale on winter rubber.
Any decent brand will be nice for winter rubber. Continental, Dunlop, Bridgestone Blizzak, Pirelli... or Nokians if you want the best $$$ lol. I prefer Blizzaks (have the LM series right now) because I think they're the best bang for the buck. But I've owned a few sets of Dunops too
apexit1
08-06-2011, 07:56 AM
I have the Blizzak lm60's. I chose them because they were a more performance oriented tire and living the northern NJ I didn't think I needed a hardcore set like the nokians. They did very well. I only got stuck 2x and was able to get out without a tow. First was in a parking lot with about a foot of snow on the ground. I decided to stop and clear my windshield before doing my donuts, it wasn't a great idea. The second time I drifted into a snowbank that reached the door handle on the drivers side door.
Considering they aren't an all out winter only tire I think they did damn well. I can't wait for the snow this year.
I mounted mine on a set of cheap 18's from TR and are the 245/40/18. Hope this helps
tahoskier
08-06-2011, 08:42 AM
Donner Summit got more than 50ft of snow this year. Truckee got considerably less but this was a huge snow year for us. The LM-60s handled very well for me but like I said earlier, my only problem was the S4 clearance.
TR is having a sale on Michelins until midnight(EST) tonight. $70rebate.
B8 S FOR
08-06-2011, 08:42 AM
Get a dedicated Wheel and Tire set for your S4. I live North of Pittsburgh Pa and just bought a set of VMR V710s 18x8.5 in Gunmetal 245x40x18 wrapped in Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s. Make sure whatever your do that the Offset is ET35 and the Centerbore is 66.6. they had to custom hone the Centerbore on my rims. Alot of run of the mill rims out there you need hubcentric rings and the Centerbore is WRONG! If you can afford to buy a S4 then you can afford to purchase the correct Rim x tire package. Gunmetal is easer to go without cleaning in the winter months! Sucker will go like a tank in the winter!
Brooklyn
08-06-2011, 10:01 AM
I went with Vredesteins (sic) ordered from Phil @ Detailer's Domain. Excellent all winter and since I haven't been able to find a wheel in stock that I like to mount my summers, they are still on the car right now. They appear to run and wear much like an all-season tire.
BaNmAnS4
08-06-2011, 10:54 AM
do you have the 18s with them? willing to sell together?
I also have Blizzaks mounted on stock 18's and would sell them if you are interested!
I have the Blizzak lm60's. I chose them because they were a more performance oriented tire and living the northern NJ I didn't think I needed a hardcore set like the nokians. They did very well. I only got stuck 2x and was able to get out without a tow. First was in a parking lot with about a foot of snow on the ground. I decided to stop and clear my windshield before doing my donuts, it wasn't a great idea. The second time I drifted into a snowbank that reached the door handle on the drivers side door.
Considering they aren't an all out winter only tire I think they did damn well. I can't wait for the snow this year.
I mounted mine on a set of cheap 18's from TR and are the 245/40/18. Hope this helps
hmm... interesting that you've said all the things you said cuz according to the surveys on tirerack (which I know can't be accurate), LM60s looked like an all out winter only tire with one of the best performance in the snow?
some ppl did not go this route cuz it wasn't as great in other areas (dry, wet) compared to other winter tires.
Ynnekdude
08-06-2011, 12:09 PM
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s. Love em.
mcimiluca
08-06-2011, 12:18 PM
dunlop wintersports IMO. Got through every blizzard last winter in north jersey with no problems, and it was quite fun as well :-)
Allwe'lldrive
08-06-2011, 05:23 PM
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R's on 18 inch stock rims. Excellent performance this past winter in all conditions, the biggest handicap for the car is the lack of ground clearance for deeper snow, and terrible windshield wipers that ice up too easily. Not sure if they make them in the size you want, but Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice tires on my old Subaru were the best bang for the buck in winter tires that I ever found. With all-wheel drive cars, my priority concern is a tire that can deal well with unexpected ice rather than all-out "snow performance". Quattro can take care of the snow/slush!
Twodogs
08-06-2011, 05:30 PM
I also have Blizzaks mounted on stock 18's and would sell them if you are interested!
Interested. PM me with details if BallZ passes (he was first to ask).
goony
08-06-2011, 06:30 PM
Ran Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2's on my previous car and also loved them. I recently picked up a one season, very slightly used, set of Blizzak LM25's on ebay for MUCH less than the $225-250/tire for new snows. I plan to either buy the Rial DH or a set of replicas for mounting.
Make sure whatever your do that the Offset is ET35 and the Centerbore is 66.6.
Why must I make sure that the offset is 35 when the offset on the OEM 18's is 47?
B8 S FOR
08-07-2011, 07:03 AM
Ran Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2's on my previous car and also loved them. I recently picked up a one season, very slightly used, set of Blizzak LM25's on ebay for MUCH less than the $225-250/tire for new snows. I plan to either buy the Rial DH or a set of replicas for mounting.
Why must I make sure that the offset is 35 when the offset on the OEM 18's is 47?
Another great thread. Offset may depend on the type of wheel regardless of size of rim. The VMR V710 requires an offset of ET35 for our car.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/403478-DIY-Winter-Wheel-Swap
goony
08-07-2011, 10:04 AM
Another great thread. Offset may depend on the type of wheel regardless of size of rim. The VMR V710 requires an offset of ET35 for our car.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/403478-DIY-Winter-Wheel-Swap
That's what I figured. I am considering these for a snow setup:
http://www.powerwheelspro.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=41
apexit1
08-07-2011, 11:12 AM
hmm... interesting that you've said all the things you said cuz according to the surveys on tirerack (which I know can't be accurate), LM60s looked like an all out winter only tire with one of the best performance in the snow?
some ppl did not go this route cuz it wasn't as great in other areas (dry, wet) compared to other winter tires.
I compared prices also and completely ignored anything not "Performance Winter/ Snow". The Pirelli's if I remember correctly didn't have the same praise in the reviews as the others. This left the LM-60's as the answer to price and performance in my eyes.
balancingact
08-08-2011, 03:10 AM
I get to work at 7 am and we had a tough winter last year. I have Michelin Pilot Alpin's and they have been fantastic. Low noise, great dry weather handling plus great snow traction. Highly recommended. I have had Blizzaks on my GTI. They are great when new, but they become loud and ineffective once they get some wear.
tomh009
08-08-2011, 03:15 AM
I've been very happy with the Pirelli Snowsports on my A4 (in 17" size). Quite good in the dry (which is, in the end, more common than snowy roads) and more than decent in the snow. I prefer them to dual-compound tires like Blizzaks.
Our GTI has Nokians, though, and they're the bee's knees when it comes to snow performance - and surprisingly good on dry roads as well.