What winter tires do you guys run (those in snowy states)

[martini]

I'm in need for some new winter tires. Got into an accident last year on my all seasons, so I was going to go straight winter tires

what do you guys recommend? I'd rather not break the bank on this, but all suggestions are welcome

[Gondi Stylez]

I run X-Ice in Calgary, AB, Canada and I love them!

We get lots of snow and ice so I've put these through their paces! They aren't overly expensive (got mine at Costco) and I've got them on my 16" stockers.

[McLaren]

Running Pilot Alpins PA2 on the stock 17's.

[old guy]

I'm in need for some new winter tires. Got into an accident last year on my all seasons, so I was going to go straight winter tires

what do you guys recommend? I'd rather not break the bank on this, but all suggestions are welcome

Here is a low cost package for you: Clicky click

[martini]

I run X-Ice in Calgary, AB, Canada and I love them!

We get lots of snow and ice so I've put these through their paces! They aren't overly expensive (got mine at Costco) and I've got them on my 16" stockers.

I don't think they make them in the size i need... stock was 235/45 R17

[martini]

Here is a low cost package for you: Clicky click

linky no worky

[old guy]

Strange. It still works for me. It links to a Tirerack package with the following components:

16x7 MSW Type 14 Silver Painted
for 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Sport Package
In Stock
$87.00 $348.00


215/55R16 Bridgestone Blizzak REVO 1 Blackwall
for 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Sport Package
The specially-priced closeout items you are buying are first quality products covered by applicable manufacturers' limited warranties. They are, however, available only until our current inventory is depleted.
In Stock
$66.00 $264.00

Total package $612 (plus shipping).

I bought a similar package last year. worked great.

[dubenvy]

Mastercraft 205/55/16's. Cost half as much as Blizzaks and have lasted 4 years.

[B6480Avant]

Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 i have some that were used for a winter and now im in AZ and dont need them size is 225 50 r17 great tire!, i have some pics of 225 50 r17 (continentals) rolling on my Avant right now if you think the side wall height will look too big ill send you some pics so you can see them they fill the wheel well up nice on a stock sport suspension

[old guy]

Mastercraft 205/55/16's. Cost half as much as Blizzaks and have lasted 4 years.

This is usually true but the Blizzak's I was referring to are currently on closeout for $66 each.

[Gondi Stylez]

I don't think they make them in the size i need... stock was 235/45 R17

There was also 16" stocks.

215/55R16 $118 - I got these!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....in&model=X-Ice

[GTMRS4]

I'm running 17" blizzaks

[martini]

Strange. It still works for me. It links to a Tirerack package with the following components:

16x7 MSW Type 14 Silver Painted
for 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Sport Package
In Stock
$87.00 $348.00


215/55R16 Bridgestone Blizzak REVO 1 Blackwall
for 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Sport Package
The specially-priced closeout items you are buying are first quality products covered by applicable manufacturers' limited warranties. They are, however, available only until our current inventory is depleted.
In Stock
$66.00 $264.00

Total package $612 (plus shipping).

I bought a similar package last year. worked great.

I don't think i can get 16's over my s4 brakes... i will check it out though

[martini]

Mastercraft 205/55/16's. Cost half as much as Blizzaks and have lasted 4 years.

which matercrafts?

[alexza4]

Why don't you just get Contis Extremes? These are almost as good as having winter tires but are also great all season tire. I run these all year around and coudn't be happier.

[dougyfresh]

I have 235/45/R17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM25s on my stock Avant wheels. I only have them because I got them new for $100 a tire. I would go with 16s but I don't think they will fit over my B5 S4 brakes. Not to mention I had the 17" Avant wheels laying around.

The tires to get are the Nokian Hakkapeliittas but they are pricy. Best snow tires by far.

Then again, when I lived in NH, the local VW guys were telling me to get a set of Gislaveds but I can't find them for the life of me. I think they are a snow brand by Continental.


I think the Blizzaks are the cheapest you'll find.

[onemoremile]

Between the A4 and S4 the following have been run
Pirelli SnowSport
Dunlop WinterSport
Dunlop WinterSport II
Blizzak
Michelin Pilot Alpin
Green Diamond MDV
Yokohama Guardex
And at least one or two others that have been forgotten about.

There isn't a whole lot of difference between most of them. The Green Diamond MDV is an allseason with industrial diamond fragments in the tread rubber. They grip on ice like studded tires but don't damage the road or sound like a hailstorm while driving. Their deep snow performance was lacking due to the tread design but now they have a full snow tire available.

Blizzak LM50 can be scary as hell above 40 or 50 mph. The tread squirm is really worrisome. Around town they are simply amazing.

SnowSports and WinterSports M2/M3 are all pretty much the same. Just good sporty winter tires that grip in light and heavy snow and don't show much compromise on dry roads. The Pilot Alpin was very similar to these also.

Yoko Guardex is the best of the bunch on dry roads and don't feel like winter tires at all. They are at least as good as the SnowSports or WinterSports in snow and on ice.

None of these tires are particularly great on ice except for the Green Diamonds. Rubber just can't get a grip on ice without penetration. The Blizzaks were the best of the rest though.

FWIW, I live in West Michigan and we get some pretty incredible lake effect snow storms coming off Lake Michigan. Drifts are a real problem as is slush and frequent overnight accumulation of several inches. Doesn't sound like much but when it happens every night for a week or two we end up with a few feet of the stuff. Our snowfalls range from 80-120 inches a season. I've been driving in this area for 17 years both in the city, out in the boonies, and a lot of freeway.

Also worth mentioning, between the Outback and A4 Avant we've pulled dozens of cars and trucks from ditches and snowbanks without having to ask for the favor in return. We've worn out several tow straps. On a late December ski trip last year my little Avant pulled a newer Yukon from a ditch.

[onemoremile]

One more thing, don't buy anything without checking discount tire's ebay store. My Yokos were 186 each on tires.com and cost under 400 shipped for the brand new set on their ebay store. They were less than half price and had free shipping.

[B6Lovin]

my winter set is four 245/40/17 g-force r1 lol

[martini]

Between the A4 and S4 the following have been run
Pirelli SnowSport
Dunlop WinterSport
Dunlop WinterSport II
Blizzak
Michelin Pilot Alpin
Green Diamond MDV
Yokohama Guardex
And at least one or two others that have been forgotten about.

There isn't a whole lot of difference between most of them. The Green Diamond MDV is an allseason with industrial diamond fragments in the tread rubber. They grip on ice like studded tires but don't damage the road or sound like a hailstorm while driving. Their deep snow performance was lacking due to the tread design but now they have a full snow tire available.

Blizzak LM50 can be scary as hell above 40 or 50 mph. The tread squirm is really worrisome. Around town they are simply amazing.

SnowSports and WinterSports M2/M3 are all pretty much the same. Just good sporty winter tires that grip in light and heavy snow and don't show much compromise on dry roads. The Pilot Alpin was very similar to these also.

Yoko Guardex is the best of the bunch on dry roads and don't feel like winter tires at all. They are at least as good as the SnowSports or WinterSports in snow and on ice.

None of these tires are particularly great on ice except for the Green Diamonds. Rubber just can't get a grip on ice without penetration. The Blizzaks were the best of the rest though.

FWIW, I live in West Michigan and we get some pretty incredible lake effect snow storms coming off Lake Michigan. Drifts are a real problem as is slush and frequent overnight accumulation of several inches. Doesn't sound like much but when it happens every night for a week or two we end up with a few feet of the stuff. Our snowfalls range from 80-120 inches a season. I've been driving in this area for 17 years both in the city, out in the boonies, and a lot of freeway.

Also worth mentioning, between the Outback and A4 Avant we've pulled dozens of cars and trucks from ditches and snowbanks without having to ask for the favor in return. We've worn out several tow straps. On a late December ski trip last year my little Avant pulled a newer Yukon from a ditch.

very good info... i live just outside detroit, so this is the type of stuff i am looking for.

my kumho all seasons didnt quite cut it last year

[CyberPMG]

I've had the Blizzak LM-25s on my previous Audi. Not a bad winter tire. I've rocked the last 3 seasons with a set of Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 tires (235/45-17). Amazing winter tire. Smooth and relatively quiet (for a winter tire) on dry/wet roads. Great traction for snow/ice/slush. Really digs through some decent snow on the ground. It was also the winter tire of choice for the Ohio State Highway Patrol (dealing with lake effect snow from Lake Erie). Great price too. Going to get a fresh new set that will be good for another 3 winter seasons.

[A4 KiDD 810]

snowtechs on 16" steelies

[Groove1797]

Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme

End Thread...

[A4 ABT]

Vredestein FTW

[mxrz]

General Altimax Arctic > all of those mentioned above. It's the north American version of the Gislaved NordFrost 3. Pretty cheap too.

[dsq]

i had a used set of dunlop m2's last winter which performed very well (it was used for 4 winters before i put them on for the 5th winter). i may go for dunlop d3's this winter or nokian rsi depending on the price.

[mattman]

Goodyear Eagle Gw3s FTW

[dougyfresh]

General Altimax Arctic > all of those mentioned above. It's the north American version of the Gislaved NordFrost 3. Pretty cheap too.

Interesting. I did not know that. Might give them a shot for my next snows.

[ThreePointOhh]

Why don't you just get Contis Extremes? These are almost as good as having winter tires but are also great all season tire. I run these all year around and coudn't be happier.

horrible all season tire... haven't tested them in snow yet though...

[swrt83]

Great thread.. this is my next big purchase.. good stuff guys

[widgget]

i just go down to my local guy and say "give me some really good snows", he knows what he is doing.

[smarrick]

I went cheap. Hankook Ice Bears on 17" stock. Work awesome going on 3rd year.

[b spot]

I've run Blizzaks and Pirelli SnowSports and prefer the SnowSports by far. Living in Calgary we get dry roads a lot in the winter from the chinooks and they are really good on dry while still doing a great job in the snow.

[widgget]

helicopters dry your roads off in the winter?

[sandspeed]

Any recommendations for UK weather? We get mostly rain, with the occasional snow in the winter, so light snow or slush are my major concerns, with the added possibility of a trip down to Germany at some point.

[durfA4]

I have the the Mastercraft Glaicer Grip II in 205/60 16. they are like truck tires, I have a bit more clearance with the larger side wall, and the grip is crazy driven through upto a fot of fresh snow with no issues, for 100 installed per tire they are great.

Took a 1700 mile trip for christmas last year Boston to Upper Michigan, good gas milage and no worry of snow storms.

[mattman]

helicopters dry your roads off in the winter?

LOL

[onemoremile]

Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme

End Thread...

I want those. They come highly recommended by the guys that run the Snowdrift rally way up in the upper peninsula.

Vredestein and Nokian make some exceptional snow tires.

[bananas]

This topic gets beat to death every winter on my local forum (MNAudi.com). The Nokian Hakkapeliita are indeed some of the best snows.


When buying a winter tire, it's important to distinguish between a a couple of different types.

High performance winter tires typically have a semi-soft compound with a decent amount of siping. These tires handle fairly well in the dry, and are rated for reasonably high speeds. Their snow traction is significantly better than all season. Their ice traction seems to be mediocre. An example would be the Dunlop Wintersport M3.

What I call "real snow tires" have a much softer compound with deep siping and large gaps in the tread pattern. Because of the soft compound, these tires feel very squishy in the dry, and often are only rated to low speeds. Snow and ice traction is significantly better than that of the "high performance winter tires". An example is the Nokian Hakkapeliita.

I live in MN where we get a fair amount of snow each year. I prefer to run a "real snow tire" over a high performance snow for a more planted feel in snow/ice and am ok with a soft feel on pavement.

I've run Wintersport M3, Blizzak LM-22 and Hakka2 in a variety of conditions, including ice (a road course plowed on a frozen lake), dry&cold pavement, light snow, and heavy snow (18"). By far, I preferred the Hakka(peliita). The difference between even the LM-22 and Hakka2 is night and day when there's snow on the ground. I've heard good things about the X-Ice as well.

This year, I will be running Hankook Winter IPike W409 on both my A4s. They're a very inexpensive copy of Nokian Hakkapeliita. A bunch of the local guys ran these last year and loved them. For the price, I think you can't go wrong. I am pretty curious about the Altimax, but I already bought the W409s.

Note that when going through deep snow, narrower tires are better at cutting through. Keep that in mind when ordering!

Here are a bunch of copies of the nokian tread pattern
(xposting from mnaudi.com)
Nokian Hakka5


Nokian RSi


Pirelli Winter Carving


GeneralTire Altimax Arctic


Hankook iPike W409

[Pr0n]

I'm even more confused.