Time to put it to a vote.

[4RingRook]

Alright guys,

As you may or may not know, I'm getting rid of my BFG KDWs (they're perfectly fine), in favor of a new set of tires. I currently do not have any performance mods done to the car. In the future, I'd like to add maybe a chip & an exhaust. I am most concerned with ride quality, handling, and tread wear. I have searched using varying terms, (size, brand/tire names); instead of lying and saying I didnt find anything, I made a poll b/c I need help deciding on the best tire for the car. I found cases both for and against the tires below. I'm not sure which one to pick, so I turn to the experts for input.

I have the choices narrowed down to the following options:

A. Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R
B. Bridgestone Potenza 760 Sport
C. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
D. Goodyear F1 All Season
E. Pirelli PZero Nero
F. Other, Please suggest!

Keep in mind, the tires will be going on HRE 542s in the 235/40/18 size.

[INTEGRATION]

Wow, that's a very broad category from S-compound semi-slicks (RE-01R) to an all-seasons. I picked the Potenza RE760 Sport, which is probably going to be my next tire for daily driving.

[tivs31]

love my pirelllis but they are a summer only tire, winter temps do effect the handling quite a bit on them

[4RingRook]

Ahaha, yeah, I realize I'm all over the spectrum there. Just looking for the best bang for your buck tire to put on your daily driver.

[4RingRook]

love my pirelllis but they are a summer only tire, winter temps do effect the handling quite a bit on them

I've read the most mixed reviews on this tire (pzero nero). People either LOVE it, or say its the worst tire ever. (unresponsive, poor handling)

These tires are going on my summer wheels, and will not be driven on outside of spring/summer months. I threw some all seasons in the mix, as those tires tend to last the longest.

[MOFSTEEL]

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta or the Nitto Invo

Those are both summer tires though.

[4RingRook]

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta or the Nitto Invo

Those are both summer tires though.

I saw you mentioning the Vredestein's a couple times. The tread is insane on those tires. How are they? I havent looked into the Nitto Invo's though. I'm not against getting a summer tire as the tires are going on my summer wheels.

[EuroA4]

Dunlop Sport Maxx FTW!!

[Louis J.]

Wow, that's a very broad category from S-compound semi-slicks (RE-01R) to an all-seasons.

+1. Your statement "I am most concerned with ride quality, handling, and tread wear." is a bit contradicting. It'd be a good idea for you to narrow your needs/wants down a bit. Also, in reference to your "best bang for the buck" comment, are you concerned about cost? Lastly, where do you live or what kind of weather conditions will you be exposed to? This is a biggie if you want accurate suggestions.

If you want value, a well balanced tire in terms of handling, tread wear and cost is the Falken 452. That's what I'm buying for street tires. If you want higher performance and are sticking with 18" wheels, Azenis 615s are the ticket. Kuhmo's are also worth looking into.

If you want brand name and cost is not an issue, let me know what your weather needs are and I'll gladly give you more suggestions but as a long time Michelin PS2/MPSC fan, my opinion now is that brand name tires are overrated.

[4RingRook]

+1. Your statement "I am most concerned with ride quality, handling, and tread wear." is a bit contradicting. It'd be a good idea for you to narrow your needs/wants down a bit. Also, in reference to your "best bang for the buck" comment, are you concerned about cost? Lastly, where do you live or what kind of weather conditions will you be exposed to? This is a biggie if you want accurate suggestions.

If you want value, a well balanced tire in terms of handling, tread wear and cost is the Falken 452. That's what I'm buying for street tires. If you want higher performance and are sticking with 18" wheels, Azenis 615s are the ticket. Kuhmo's are also worth looking into.

If you want brand name and cost is not an issue, let me know what your weather needs are and I'll gladly give you more suggestions but as a long time Michelin PS2/MPSC fan, my opinion now is that brand name tires are overrated.

Good points on all counts. I live in the Northeast, where it rains more than Seattle, and you can get 4 seasons of weather in 4 days. Money is an option, but far from the final decision - I'm not against paying 230 per tire, as long as it lasts longer than 10k. I did a lot of searching on this topic, and found the tires in my poll to be the most common. Overall ride quality/handling are most important to me as these tires are going on the summer wheels for my daily driver.

Right now I'm confused which to pick, which is why I turned to you guys. I basically dont know much about picking tires, and I dont want to make a bad choice (again). My tire guy said the KDWs are "too much" tire for my car b/c I dont track it, or have all kinds of performance mods. He also said that they can cause vibrations at higher speeds with the Quattro.

I have the KDWs in my garage right now as I'm trying to sell them in favor of a new set. Should I just keep them and put them back on the HREs when they return from their trip?

[Phrost]

Like I've told you, I won't be "racing" on my summer wheels either so I wasn't in the market for the tire with the most bite. I personally was looking for value, comfort, and tread life. Quattro gives plenty of traction for when I'm not messing around, and if I go to the track/strip ever I will put my lighter/smaller oem wheels back on with those tires.

I was sick of buying high performance summers (when I didn't really need them since I had Quattro) then going through them in 1-1.5 seasons. I opted for the Eagle F1 all seasons, but I didn't have them mounted yet. The Eagle F1 summers are awesome and one of the best gripping tires I've had, but I don't need that on my A4...

[OneDollarBill]

I have had Toyo T1-S for the last 6 years on various wheels and 3 different cars. It's always my preference

[Phrost]

haha that poll is going nowhere... Perhaps roll a dice?

[4RingRook]

The way this poll is going, maybe I should reconsider the BFGs

[BLACKa4QUAT]

yeah most of those tires wont last to 20k miles on them. my first audi came stock with the p-zero rosso's and they gripped good, but only lasted 18k miles. the tires i got after that were the falken ziex ze-512. i hated them.
then i got P6 Pirelli's, and loved them.
made it through a winter in michigan. and by the time i got rid of that car, i had put 40k miles on them and they still looked good.
now i'm about to be getting the yokohama yk520's. from the reviews they seemed like a good tire, better than the POS tires that were on my b7 when i got it used.
all of those tires will last long, with very little impact on daily driving. i dont track my car so i'm not worried about it being extra-soft, i want and pick something that will last a good while, while having a good ride, and save some money while im at it.

[quattrosaint]

P2 pilot sport!

[Sharkfin]

i think its obvious that people's opinions vary so much because driving conditions vary so much, not to mention that it depends on how you take care of them and so many other variables. I would take the poll results and give them a small amount of wait in your decision but ultimately you need to refer to reviews and ratings

[Louis J.]

So, would I be correct in saying that your priorities are excellent performance in the wet, quiet, comfortable with a high tread wear rating? Also, do you have an extra set of snows and do you consider yourself an aggressive driver?

[4RingRook]

So, would I be correct in saying that your priorities are excellent performance in the wet, quiet, comfortable with a high tread wear rating? Also, do you have an extra set of snows and do you consider yourself an aggressive driver?

I will use the oem split spoke 5 stars with a snow tire for my winter setup, the HREs will be my other 3 season wheels. I'd say I'm more aggressive than defensive, but I don't drive like a maniac either. I'm even considering having my BFGs road-forced and keeping them once I get the wheels back. I dont have much interest in them anyways.

[tomasmdiego]

michelin pilot sport ps2

[Rotond0000]

i have goodyear eagle F1's but there not all season they are only summer.

they are awesome tho. i also reccomend the michelins above.

[INTEGRATION]

Personally I'm afraid of Pirelli tires. Tread separation once, ok you think it's just a coincidence, a fluke- shouldn't happen again. But tread separation happening twice? You start to think you would never buy those tires again. Shame on you Pirelli, shame on you.

[Rotond0000]

Personally I'm afraid of Pirelli tires. Tread separation once, ok you think it's just a coincidence, a fluke- shouldn't happen again. But tread separation happening twice? You start to think you would never buy those tires again. Shame on you Pirelli, shame on you.

i had an issue with my pirelli's as well...

[Auditude2.0T]

My dad had Pirelli P Zero Nero on his RS4 and they sucked, he know has the Goodyear Eagle F1 all seasons and i freaking love them.

[INTEGRATION]

I see you have Dunlop Sport MAXX on there also. I have those on my IS350, personally I feel that the Dunlops are inferior to even the Continental Conti2's and Bridgestone Potenza RE050As.

[RedS-line]

I see you have Dunlop Sport MAXX on there also. I have those on my IS350, personally I feel that the Dunlops are inferior to even the Continental Conti2's and Bridgestone Potenza RE050As.

I have the Dunlops on my car and theyre great. ive driven on the potenzas before but on a different car. the potenzas did not feel nearly as good. then again, different car.......

[Louis J.]

PS2s were my favorite tire before I discovered Falken Azenis 615s and learned that you don't have to pay 2x the price for a brand name to get a good tire. I don't think they'll work for you anyway since they're only good for 10-15k mi. Personally, I won't buy them again. Pirellis and Contis suck so stay away. I haven't tried Falken 452s but I've done quite a bit or research and between excellent reviews and my experience with Falken 615s, I've decided that's my next tire for street use (my needs are similar to yours).

[Erocko]

I've heard good things about Falken lately, but I am rocking Toyos. They get rated pretty well. I think you're gonna have to do some research. Tires are hard, 'cause they seem to be opinionated, unless something is really wrong with something.

[B6QTRO]

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta or the Nitto Invo

Those are both summer tires though.

x2, I have a set on my 19's and 18's I got mine from Scott@Rival good guy to deal with. I am also a fan of the PS2's, great tires!

[MOFSTEEL]

x2, I have a set on my 19's and 18's I got mine from Scott@Rival good guy to deal with. I am also a fan of the PS2's, great tires!

I believe Scott quoted me $70 more per tire without shipping.
I ended up getting them locally for $160 a tire. Can't beat that.

[Sharkfin]

go pirellis! haha i hope you happy with whatever you choose

[OceanBlueB7]

Just going with the criteria you've given for your driving conditions - I would use the Continental Extreme Contact's. I've had 2 sets, and although they aren't the 'best' performers, they will last about 30k miles, and they're excellent in the wet, and very good on ice.

[oc-drop]

i had an issue with my pirelli's as well...

What kind of Pirelli's were you guys having trouble with?

I just ordered some P Zero Nero (not the M/S) and I'm a little iffy now!

[volcomic]

Falken FK452's. Best tires I've ever had...


The picture is a link

[tre]

I think your missing a few good "bang for the buck" choices.

I love the Falken Azenis RT615. I'm about done with my 2nd set. I get about 15k miles out of them but I live near very lightly traveled twisty roads and have fun with them.

I've not tried them yet but hear great things about the new Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. Tire Rack tests show them to handle better then the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R and they are much cheaper. I think HID tried them and only got 10k miles out of them though.

Another great band for the buck option that sounds like it will give the above two tires a run for their money is the Kumho Ecsta XS. Should be about $170 for an 18" tire when it comes out. Supposedly compare favorably to the above tires, the RE01R, and the ADVAN AD07. Advan AD07 is another great tire but they are $$$.

Not a fan of all season tires (or no season tires as I like to call them). If you have the $$ get a dedicated summer tires for summer and a snow tire for winter.

One issue with our cars is the weight. In general you need a very stiff sidewall for this car to perform well (like the RT615) but that is at the expense of a cushy ride. A tire with a softer sidewall will give you a better ride at the expense of handling. I tried the F1 DSG3 on my B6 and hated it - sure it had a good ride but the tire was always rolling onto the sidewalls because of the heavy load (even with added pressure). I hate the Toyo T1R because of the same reason (they make a nice R compound via their sister company Nitto though).