snow tires. winter is coming.

[vwchop]

well i was wondring if i should buy snowtires or not. so i searched and came across this thread http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...t=winter+tires. and i read through it. so now my next question is wut tires have u guys run. and liked or disliked. so pretty much wut snow tires should i buy?

i been searching and these tires have had nothing but good reviews and are fairly cheap.

General Altimax Arctic

[EMAXX]

Do you have all season tires on the car right now, or do you have performance tires?

I just keep all seasons on my car because it snows sometimes in May back in Wyoming, and there is rain all the time. I just don't want to deal with the hassle of changing them out all the time. My Pirelli all seasons work fine since I'm not tracking the car nor should you be on the streets.

[vwchop]

well im on w/e came stock on the car and i plan on going to canada sometimes this winter and they get like 6ft of snow a night.

[72mako]

I ran Nokian WRs on my Touareg and I'm planning on putting a set of them on my A4. My drive is from Westbrook down to Bridgeport and haven't had issues with the All seasons in the last three years. As for driving to Canada, I've got no idea how they'll handle, but for around your area they should be fine.

[AlexK]

Your car has all-seasons then. If you're ready to spend some cash, buy a set of wheels for your winter tires so you're not paying for mounting and balancing twice a year. You can also upgrade your all-seasons to legit summer performance tires when the Pirellis wear out and enjoy better grip in the spring, summer, and fall.

IMO the P6s w/ Quattro, ABS and ESP are fine for our region. It really doesn't snow often enough to justify such a big expense.

Where in Canada are you going that gets that much snow?

[vwchop]

yea i deff wouldnt even be thinking aobut getting snow tires. if i wasnt plaing on going to canada. cuz we dont get shit for snow here. we go to montreal.

heres a few pics from last feb we were there.

[ed@mtl]

Well, last year here in Montreal. We had a record snow fall.

Also, the province of Quebec just issue a law where all vehicles must have winter tires from Nov 15 to April 15.

Here's my Avant after a snow storm:

[LowSantorin]

i use nokian! Very nice tires, on my a4 winter wheels i have hakka 2's right now and i love them! http://www.qsrproductions.com/store/images/hakka2.jpg with no studs in them, worked great for me and i drove in 1-2 foot dumps and plenty of smaller dumps with no problems at all.

[khmerguy978]

Well, last year here in Montreal. We had a record snow fall.

Also, the province of Quebec just issue a law where all vehicles must have winter tires from Nov 15 to April 15.

wow, that is pretty intense! I went to Montreal a few years ago in March to party and as much as I love St. Catherine's, I will only visit in the summer.

as far as winters go, I just bought my b8 a4, so I'll most likely run on the Pirelli P6's. I don't plan on driving it much because I'll drive the Wrangler for snow duties. However, I'll be getting aftermarket wheels, so winters will definitely go on the stockies. However, 18" winters? that's a bit much, no?


cheers... Rocco

[p1nk50ck]

i've heard really good things about blizzaks as far as dedicated snow tires go.

here in the DC area, we don't get much snow. i've been able to get around pretty well with Falken Ziex ze512's and Ziex ze912's (all seasons) on a rear wheel drive car. They get a little bit of road noise, but aside from that, they work great in rain and have pretty stiff sidewalls for good road feel and cornering.

[artinmoTTion]

Totally depends on your driving style, how much snow/ice you'll be seeing, and how much dry handling you're willing to give up for your increased safety on snow/ice. Read through the info on Tire Rack. My best quick suggestions based on many years of Audis in the snow:

More performance oriented snows / not quite as much traction in snow:
Nokian WR (all season+) or Dunlop WinterSport 3d

Middle ground snow (what I'm currently using, like them a lot)
Nokian RSi

More hardcore snows:
Nokian Hakka series (2-5), Gislaved, Vredestein, Blizzak WS 60 (this blizzak has great traction but is the softest of any of these tires, so less dry traction) and the Yokohama Ice Guard IG20, which has generally great reviews.

Good value snows: Hankook Winter iPike and the General Altimax you mentioned. These are both total rip offs of the nokian hakka series tread, but much much cheaper thanks to the abysmal exchange rates, so worth a try. Haven't used these before, but intend to next time if the prices on Nokians remain inflated.

If you intend on keeping the car, couple suggestions: use these snows on your stock wheels, and get some nice 18" wheels and performance tires for summer. You'll thank me later. Also, buy a 5th snow tire (easier if you go with a "value" tire above). Winter tires are produced in the summer before, and you can count on your size selling out right about the time you hit that jumbo pothole you couldn't see because it was filled with slush, or smack a curb that wasn't plowed, or hit some other winter hazard and blow a tire. BTDT. You'll just need it slightly shaved down to match the tread depths on your AWD car should you need to use it. Good insurance.

Hope that helps.

[vwchop]

wow lol i think i just got all the info i need.

[redlabel81]

Nokian Hakka 5!! FTW!
I live as far north in the world as you can almost come and I have tried many brands. :)

[F.An]

just bought a set of Gislaved Nordfrost 5. dont know if you guys have them over there but as far as i know they are wicked. As is Hakka V ^^ :)

[ed@mtl]

just bought a set of Gislaved Nordfrost 5. dont know if you guys have them over there but as far as i know they are wicked. As is Hakka V ^^ :)

That's what I've been using for the last 2 winters.

[armysoldier1073]

I am currently on my 2nd set of Dunlop Wintersport 3D's. They are great for snow, i tried them for the rest of the year and i love them all year round. I have yet to hydroplane at 140mph. The wear on them is not bad, i replaced all 4 when i got a nail in one of my rear tires, wanted them to all wear evenly. They are also very responsive when driving aggressivly. Check them out at Tire Rack, that is where i got my first set while stationed in Germany.

[Snowman]

I am in Montreal and love to drive in snow. My prefered snow tires are Nokian Hakka. This year I will be trying Hakka 5.

[cstarky15]

Tire rack is selling some generals for $96. I think i'm going to pick up a set. I hear good things about these tires! 225.45.17!! Click

[Postman]

Does anyone know if 16" wheels will fit? Looked at the other threads and didn't see anything.

Waaaay cheaper to buy Blizzaks in 16"s.

[akasch]

I had the Hankooks on my fwd A3 and they sucked! We bought them because they cheap and it was a bad choice, it snows a lot in salt lake and I could not get anywhere. My mom also had these on her clk and they were bad also. The Blizzaks are money though. They will take you anywhere.
Ps I live on the side of a mountain with steep inclines up, so basically I need serious tires, that maybe why the hankooks didn't cut it.

[Sharkfin]

I vote Bridgestone Blizzaks

[Psylas]

I had the Hankooks on my fwd A3 and they sucked! We bought them because they cheap and it was a bad choice, it snows a lot in salt lake and I could not get anywhere. My mom also had these on her clk and they were bad also. The Blizzaks are money though. They will take you anywhere.
Ps I live on the side of a mountain with steep inclines up, so basically I need serious tires, that maybe why the hankooks didn't cut it.

I ran hankooks on my wrx and they were great I thought. I had no problems getting anywhere while running them. I liked them so much I picked some up for the audi. Btw I live in anchorage alaska we get quite a bit of snow

[jmars]

Are we all talking tires that are good on snow or on snow and ice? Being in the NYC area I don;t need a full winter tire but I'm in VT every weekend where I 100% need one.

Use to have Michelin Artic Aplins on my B5 S4, they were sweet! To bad I don't see them around anymore

[OceanBlueB7]

Does anyone know if 16" wheels will fit? Looked at the other threads and didn't see anything.

Waaaay cheaper to buy Blizzaks in 16"s.

I have the same question. ANybody know if 16" rims will clear the stock calipers or not?

[RedS-line]

yes* certain 16's will clear. see tirerack

[Hockenheim]

lol @ winter

[akasch]

I ran hankooks on my wrx and they were great I thought. I had no problems getting anywhere while running them. I liked them so much I picked some up for the audi. Btw I live in anchorage alaska we get quite a bit of snow

yea most of it was probably because i had fwd. Now that i have quattro I think I can get away with all seasons. fingers crossed

[jackk]

Also, the province of Quebec just issue a law where all vehicles must have winter tires from Nov 15 to April 15.

that law is such BS, it's a clear way of taxing people out of their hard earned money and a sure bet for the tire swap shops and tire companies to increase their profits.

Im sure cop cars will be creating blockades all through out the city checking tires and writing tickets. While 90% of the time the streets in montreal a dry as can be once the snow is remove.

Frankly I don't intend to get any, getting a good set of tires/rims = ~$1500 plus the fees to swap them twice a year. tickets are going to be what 100$? Not worth it especially if you have quattro/all seasons. (do they intend to give points for not having winter tires?)

The only people who created accidents in the winter were those who were running bald summer tires on their shitty toyota tercels on the back roads in the townships.

[Phrost]

I have the same question. ANybody know if 16" rims will clear the stock calipers or not?

I run 16" wheels in the winter. I am 100% positive the diameter of the barrel will clear the calipers. You may need spacers depending on the spoke pattern though. I do not need spacers for Mille Miglia Spyders. haha they're not even hubcentric.

But anyway, I've owned Dunlop Graspics and Dunlop 3D's. In my opinion, any winter tire that isn't a pile of shit works awesome. Some of the Nokians are softer and will be better, but even my old half-bald Dunlop winters stop amazing in the snow. My suggestion is to just go by price and get a good deal. For how much more you'd pay for Nokians over Contis/Dunlops/Hankook, it isn't that big of a deal unless you have no reason to save money because you're so loaded.

[Audized]

that law is such BS, it's a clear way of taxing people out of their hard earned money and a sure bet for the tire swap shops and tire companies to increase their profits.

Im sure cop cars will be creating blockades all through out the city checking tires and writing tickets. While 90% of the time the streets in montreal a dry as can be once the snow is remove.

Frankly I don't intend to get any, getting a good set of tires/rims = ~$1500 plus the fees to swap them twice a year. tickets are going to be what 100$? Not worth it especially if you have quattro/all seasons. (do they intend to give points for not having winter tires?)

The only people who created accidents in the winter were those who were running bald summer tires on their shitty toyota tercels on the back roads in the townships.

Consider getting a set of Nokian WR G2's, so you don't have to swap between your summer and winter setups. They are "all weather" tires.

[jackk]

Thanks I'll look in to it, I hope they don't classify them as all seasons

[Audized]

Thanks I'll look in to it, I hope they don't classify them as all seasons

They have no valid reason to classify them as all seasons because those Nokians have the mountain/snowflake symbol on their sidewall.

[RedS-line]

so how much grip do you lose having a snow tire on dry blacktop then a good all-season tire?

[Snowman]

Frankly I don't intend to get any, getting a good set of tires/rims = ~$1500 plus the fees to swap them twice a year. tickets are going to be what 100$? Not worth it especially if you have quattro/all seasons. (do they intend to give points for not having winter tires?)

The only people who created accidents in the winter were those who were running bald summer tires on their shitty toyota tercels on the back roads in the townships.

I find sad that we need a law that prevents people from running bald 4 season tire on there car but, how many cars last years caused jams because they where not able to go up Grosvenor, Victoria, City Councelor etc

Also, PERSONALY the fun of riding my car in snow is mutch more then the $1800.00 is costed for mags and tires. For me there is a night and day difference betwen snow and 4 seasons even more with all weel drive. They not only get the car up to speed faster but most important, stop it faster.

When I asked to have 16", the clerk told me it would look ugly. I asked him if I would have a better grip in 16 215 then 18" he said yes but, the looks.... I dont mind the look I want to have fun driving it. But, that is me.....

My 2 cents.

[Unleaded20T]

My experience with snow tires are bad. I had a lease before my A4 and i could stop faster that the cars behind me so i got hit in the ass twice in the same winter.

don't buy snow tires and slide on the road like everybody else. j.k.

Now seriously, snow tires give's you better traction specially if you have a quattro and helps you stop faster and keep the car in the freaking road and far from the guy that is in front of you. My point, they're safe and reliable.

[Phrost]

When I asked to have 16", the clerk told me it would look ugly. I asked him if I would have a better grip in 16 215 then 18" he said yes but, the looks.... I dont mind the look I want to have fun driving it. But, that is me.....

haha that's funny. I have the nicest car out of every single person I know my age, and I'm also the only person who thinks running straight black steelies, or shitty wheels (smallest you can find that will fit) doesn't matter in the winter. I mean what do we care? It's winter where everyone's car is always dirty, and my snow tires are on them. Plus if I slide into a curb when I'm fucking around which I always am... (but never hit anything so far, and don't plan to)

Tires are the most important thing on your vehicle. I'd bet 90% of people running summer or bald all-seasons in the winter will tell you, "I don't have money right now" but they probably buy beer and cigarettes. Dumbasses, lets do thousands in damage to yours/others cars, tow truck fees when you go in the ditch, and risk your life because you can't stop. That's not worth $400 at all

[Q-Ball]

Had the Dunlop 4D's last winter and was very pleased. I'm will be runnign them again this winter.

[Tiny2000]

since you're not driving in deep snow all the time, why don't you look more at performance winter tires? these would be better suited for icy/light snow on asphalt and pavement, and for those times in deep snow, you'll still be okay. most cities are pretty good, and here in toronto heavy snowfall gets cleared numerous times daily.

i have icebear w300, they come in audi sizes, load rating, and speed ratings also. my next choice would be wintersport 3d. graspic is okay for the price, but i think only has a Q speed rating for snow tires...

[Phrost]

I can't wait, we had 2 blizzards last winter but this season is supposed to be literally twice as bad.

I don't know about you guys, but I go out joyriding when it snows. I wish the plows would never come, so I could plow my own way around the streets. Blizzards are my opportunity to go pwn the roads before the plows get there, so I like having a winter tire meant to handle it. Dear god I'm excited haha

[vwchop]

since you're not driving in deep snow all the time, why don't you look more at performance winter tires? these would be better suited for icy/light snow on asphalt and pavement, and for those times in deep snow, you'll still be okay. most cities are pretty good, and here in toronto heavy snowfall gets cleared numerous times daily.

i have icebear w300, they come in audi sizes, load rating, and speed ratings also. my next choice would be wintersport 3d. graspic is okay for the price, but i think only has a Q speed rating for snow tires...

never heard of performance winter tires and who makes. them?