First Winter/rainy Season with my B6

**04QuattroTurbo** · 10-03-2008 12:19 PM

Okay guys, I've only owned this car since July, so I'm not sure of how this car behaves in the rain. I know the rubber has a lot to do with it, but not too worried about that since my car has some Nokian Tires (CLICKY) that has over 70% of its tread still intact. I guess the PO, living in Seattle has put some "anti-winter" tires on before making the trek down to Northern California and trading the car in.

But this is all simply theory and guess work. To date the best rain tires I've ever put on any of my cars have been the Toyo Proxies 4 on my Infiniti M35. They were good, but not great. Better than the stock Goodyear they had on them when I bought the car, those in the rain would always prompt the traction light to come on. While the Proxies stayed on the road, they didn't quite give me the confidence to drive on wet pavement, I always felt I was driving 20 mp/h slower than I can, but the feel of the tires, just did not make me feel like pushing them. Which is a matter of suspension, etc. as well.

So with all that said, I now have a AWD with traction control car, is the car going to feel "better" in the rain? Share your experiences with your car in wet pavement. TIA

**tdmopar59** · 10-03-2008 12:30 PM

I just got mine in july too and we have had quite a few good rains since than... honestly i think this is one of the best vehicles i have ever driven in the rain... and ive driven quite a few... i also have heard many good things about them in the snow too so i guess we'll both learn this winter..

**pondside36** · 10-03-2008 12:31 PM

Good tires and quattro is almost like there being no rain on the road at all in my opinion. I have driven my different types of cars and trucks and it is just remarkable how well it handles in light to driving rain. Caution is always a must considering everyone else. I have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my ride and couldn't feel safer, I commony say to passangers that hydoplaining is a non-issue. I hope your tires give you the same confidence.

**pondside36** · 10-03-2008 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by tdmopar59

I just got mine in july too and we have had quite a few good rains since than... honestly i think this is one of the best vehicles i have ever driven in the rain... and ive driven quite a few... i also have heard many good things about them in the snow too so i guess we'll both learn this winter..

It handles just as well in the snow with the right tires as well. I spoke with an innkeeper in VT last year who said she was so disappointed that she traded in her A4 for a Suburu. Just goes to show you once again we drive a nice car even if it is somewhat slow out the gate...

**04QuattroTurbo** · 10-03-2008 12:41 PM

My Audi book on the Quattro technology boast that the car maintains traction, even if only one tire/wheel has traction, have you found this to be true?

AWD, is obviously more stable and is safer for adverse road conditions, but the manual and everything else I've read always warns not to get over-confident with AWD, which I think makes sense...but when does it become overconfidence?

I guess the drawback of AWD would be in emergency situations where you would have to veer quickly away in seconds. Since AWD, like FWD tends to understeer in these conditions, whereas RWD with the power originating from the back would "push" the car towards the front and correct the understeer. That's in theory, have you guys found this to be true with our cars?

**Pete4 1.8t** · 10-03-2008 12:59 PM

My car drives beautifully in the rain and is very secure and it's not even a Quattro. Now in the rain the standard none aero windscreen wipers were awful, the new Aero ones are much much better!

**wolfdog** · 10-03-2008 04:27 PM

It was raining pretty good a few times leaving Newark Airport heading west on 78. After a week away, you can imagine I want to get home but all these pussies are driving 55-60 in a 65. Well, the Quattro and I had no issues - I drove normally (75) without issue. It was like driving in dry weather to me.

In short, you'll enjoy it and swear by Quattro forever.

**Audized** · 10-03-2008 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by 04QuattroTurbo

AWD, is obviously more stable and is safer for adverse road conditions, but the manual and everything else I've read always warns not to get over-confident with AWD, which I think makes sense...but when does it become overconfidence?

probably when you start challenging your driving skill in adverse conditions. Let's suppose someone's doing 60mph with his AWD vehicle on an icy road. I guess that's overconfidence on the driver's part.