Snow Tires AGAIN........confused on what I need

[jmars]

Guys, I'm going to pick up a new set of snow tires this w/e. I've read a ton on them but I have more of a specific regional question. I live on Long Island so snow isn't bad (or there at all) but I travel to VT religiously every w/e come the first week after turkey day. What type of snow tire do you recommend? Should I go with a performance snow tire since I'm driving on 95/91? Our Famly home is on a snow covered, nonpaved road.

I had a b5 S4 years back and had Michelin Artic Aplines if thats any help in educating me on what to get. I currently have an 06 avant

Thanks.

[dougyfresh]

Any studless snow tire should work well.

My Avant runs Bridgestone Blizzak LM25s on a 17inch wheel in the winter. Why? I got them for dirt cheap with 0 mileage on them. I, too, travel to Vermont and the snow-capped mountains regularly in the winter and have had no problems.

A lot of my friends run Dunlop Wintersport M3s on their Audis and Subarus with the same success.

Shit. I have driven in deep snow in Vermont with (semi-bald) all season tires and have had no problems. Having said that, you should be fine with any studless snow tire. It is convenient to have them mounted to a second set of wheels so you do not have to deal with the hassle of having the tires physically removed with the change of the seasons. More incentive to get a nice set of 18s or 19s for the summer

You can read about studless snow tires here: http://www.tirerack.com/it/it_08win/index.jsp

[p1nk50ck]

^^ agreed ^^

since you'll potentially be driving in some deep snow, i think it's up to how much you want to spend. i think it'll be very difficult to tell the difference between the blizzaks, alpin' sports, and the dunlops. whichever one you can get at the best price will probably be fine.


for those of you on the more frugal side, or don't have to deal with more than 2-3 inches tops, you can generally get away with driving on the cheaper brands. i could drive just fine in 1-2" of snow with my is300 (rwd) and falken ziex 512's and those were all seasons. the problem is the other drivers on the road that don't have good tires, and can't drive for sh*t in the snow.

honestly, if it's snowing that bad, you shouldn't be on the road.

[Kevin2772]

Ive never had a problem in driving up to 6 or so inches of snow here on the Pirelli All Seasons that came on my car.

[Turn10]

The one time I have driven through snow on my All Seaons nothing went wrong. They seem to work well enough. I would only really worry about ice which I dont know if it is frequent on roads in VT. I would THINK that it would not occour because the snow can't really melt because its always cold in VT during the winter I would assume.

However, since my brother currently lives in Colorado with his A4, and he has the Dunlop as mentioned above. I would recommend them only because he has said he has never had any problems driving around Colorado with them

-Gus

[jmars]

I find tires to be extremely important, I know that all season work well but they don't hold a candle to dedicated winter tire. On my b5 S4 the snow tires were awesome so I refuse to compromise myself and passengers knowing that a winter tire is the way to go. Braking is really where a snow tire shines.

So is the take away a performance snow tire?

They'll go on my stock 17's b/c I plan on doing new tires and 18's come spring.

[jmars]

Agreed, if is that bad out you shouldn't be on the road but when its start dumping at 3am good luck stopping me from a powder day.

[Louis J.]

I find tires to be extremely important, I know that all season work well but they don't hold a candle to dedicated winter tire. On my b5 S4 the snow tires were awesome so I refuse to compromise myself and passengers knowing that a winter tire is the way to go. Braking is really where a snow tire shines.

So is the take away a performance snow tire?

They'll go on my stock 17's b/c I plan on doing new tires and 18's come spring.

+1. It's scary knowing that so many people think all-season tires are appropriate for winter. This is the line of thinking that results in accidents and cars that go off road.

I bought a Quattro because I want a car that handles like its on rails in poor weather but AWD is only half the equation. You're right...tires are extremely important both in winter and summer.

http://www.bchighway.com/myvehicle/a...snowtires.html

[jmars]

^^^^^^ How True

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=61679

[p1nk50ck]

Braking is really where a snow tire shines.

absolutely.

all seasons and snow tires are completely different. however, where i live, it usually snows 1-3 inches max. rarely does it ever get above 6 inches. and if it does, you just stay home. dedicated snow tires are a little bit excessive if you have awd in this area, but if you have to drive, then it's highly recommended.

i think you hit the nail on the head about braking though. that's where the snow tires will outshine the all seasons.

[dubfreak75]

Just throwing this out there, I had a set of Blizzaks that lasted four winters on a FWD car. I didn't do too much driving on them and each year I would rotate them. I live in Eastern Washington and we get a shit ton of snow and they never missed a beat. They were relatively inexpensive and I will definately buy another set here before too long.

[Kevin2772]

I think people with all wheel drive and all season tires are not the ones you need to be worried about on the road.....its everyone else with just rear wheel drive and normal tires. But if you want to be an avid all terrain mountain climber in janurary up north, then yes, go with the snow tires...........

[jmars]

Not to debate this but a 4X4 SUV with a cocky driver behind the wheel is worse then a cautious rear wheel car driver.

[Snowman]

I have put my money on Nokian Hakka 5. Now I am waiting for the snow to enjoy slipping and sliding on fresh snow at 3 am.

[vtracer20]

Agreed, if is that bad out you shouldn't be on the road but when its start dumping at 3am good luck stopping me from a powder day.

cant agree more with that.....expecially this year my first with awd

[Louis J.]

all seasons and snow tires are completely different. however, where i live, it usually snows 1-3 inches max. rarely does it ever get above 6 inches. and if it does, you just stay home. dedicated snow tires are a little bit excessive if you have awd in this area, but if you have to drive, then it's highly recommended.

i think you hit the nail on the head about braking though. that's where the snow tires will outshine the all seasons.

I live in Vancouver. It only snows a handful of days in the city but I still bought winters because they perform better in the cold/wet than all-seasons and because I get up to the ski hill once a week.

All-seasons are average at best in both extremes: hot/dry and cold/wet and they only serve the purpose of providing an economic solution to people who use a car as a method of transportation only.

If you want control and performance, proper dedicated tires (extreme summers and dedicated winters) is the only way to go. I personally don't like having to adjust my driving to compensate for improper tires.

Just throwing this out there, I had a set of Blizzaks that lasted four winters on a FWD car. I didn't do too much driving on them and each year I would rotate them. I live in Eastern Washington and we get a shit ton of snow and they never missed a beat. They were relatively inexpensive and I will definately buy another set here before too long.

Blizzaks (at least LM-25s) are great but they wear out quickly and by the time they get to about 50% wear, they don't work as well. Nokian WR are much, much better tires but they are also more expensive. Dunlops M3s also get great reviews. I just bought Hankook W300s.

I think people with all wheel drive and all season tires are not the ones you need to be worried about on the road.....its everyone else with just rear wheel drive and normal tires. But if you want to be an avid all terrain mountain climber in janurary up north, then yes, go with the snow tires...........

See above. I worry about anyone who thinks they know but only make assumptions. Once you have enough experience with all-seasons vs. winters in winter conditions (even if it's only cold/dry) you realize there is a big difference.

Think about it this way, the 3,600lb mass of metal you drive between 35-80 MPH, on average, is being held on the road by four little contact patches of rubber measuring less than a square foot each. Proper tires are very important and dedicated snows are not only for "all terrain mountain climbers".

[dubfreak75]

[QUOTE=Louis J.;3086695]Blizzaks (at least LM-25s) are great but they wear out quickly and by the time they get to about 50% wear, they don't work as well.

The Blizzak's that I had were WS-50's and like I said, I did very minimal driving and they lasted four winters. I absolutely agree that once they get to about half life they started to suck. I don't run any tire 'til it is bald though.
Here is a review on the WS-50: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Blizzak+WS-50

[UGwagen]

Guys, I'm going to pick up a new set of snow tires this w/e. I've read a ton on them but I have more of a specific regional question. I live on Long Island so snow isn't bad (or there at all) but I travel to VT religiously every w/e come the first week after turkey day. What type of snow tire do you recommend? Should I go with a performance snow tire since I'm driving on 95/91? Our Famly home is on a snow covered, nonpaved road.

I had a b5 S4 years back and had Michelin Artic Aplines if thats any help in educating me on what to get. I currently have an 06 avant

Thanks.

I performance snow tires gives up some snow/ice traction for dry road handling compared to a much more heavily siped "Studless Snow & Ice" tires.

If you noticed, most of the avid skiiers/riders have snow tires on their cars.

I personally have Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSI... costs a lot of money.

[jmars]

True I jsut never knew about "performance" snow tires until last season but i bought the car in March so I firgured I could ride it out. I'm sure I'll end up with a true snow tire. Thanks everyone

[quattro.it]

A dedicated winter tire like the Blizzak will perform the best in snow and ice. I live where it snows a few times per year, there are steep hills everywhere, and I go into the mountains to ski. I leave my Pirelli P6 M&S tires mounted year-round and I haven't felt the need for a dedicated winter tire. These are GTG as-is when chains are required in the mountain passes.

[Snowman]

cant agree more with that.....expecially this year my first with awd

Dont want to sound like a grand-father, but be carfull, AWD starts mutch faster but wont stop faster. Enjoy your winter...

[RedS-line]

enthusiasts should roll with the right gear. summer tires in the summer and winter tires in the winter. just about any dedicated summer and winter tire will do better in its respective season than an all-season so just get whatever tire you can afford and be glad you did. i just got the hankook w300's as well and they look like a deal compared to the blizzaks to me.

[Louis J.]

enthusiasts should roll with the right gear. summer tires in the summer and winter tires in the winter. just about any dedicated summer and winter tire will do better in its respective season than an all-season so just get whatever tire you can afford and be glad you did. i just got the hankook w300's as well and they look like a deal compared to the blizzaks to me.

Just arrived from picking up my W300s. I've driven about ~40 hwy miles on them in the rain at around 45*. Initial impressions:

- Very, very quiet. I coasted at 80 MPH and all I could hear was wind noise. Can't believe they're snows.
- Very stable at speed. Got them to 100MPH and the car was planted.
- Zero hydroplaning. Drove over large pools of standing water at ~80 MPH like it was nothing.
- Very grippy. Took an exit ramp I usually take at speed in the dry (with summers) and was at 8/10ths in the rain with no issues.
- They look HOT! The nicest, most agressive winter tire I've ever seen.

So far, very, very pleased for the $628 I paid. I'll post some pics and review after seat-time in the white stuff...when it shows up.

[audi.a4]

anybody had any experience with Michelin Alpin A2? I just picked up a set mounted on S-line for 725. I cant wait to try them out.

[jmars]

Any input on the General Artic tire? I keep hearing that they are a great cheap tire........thoughts? I don't mind spending decent money, saftey first

[Louis J.]

As promissed and sorry for the shitty quality:

[Phrost]

Any snow tire will be very good in the winter.

But if you're doing a lot of dry pavement driving, I'd recommend something with a little harder compound. For example, Bridgestone blizzaks and Nokians are rated some of the best winter tires. However, they are a little softer so in theory they will wear out faster when on a dry road. Something along the lines of a Dunlop are a little harder and will be more forgiving without snow. Plus they're cheaper to buy. You can't go wrong either way though...

[lyjw88]

+1 on Hankook Icebear W300.
I slapped them on last winter on my 335i (not xi) and had ZERO problems driving around Boston.
If they worked well on a RWD car, you guys should be fine with almighty quattro!!

[A4 S-Line]

anybody had any experience with Michelin Alpin A2? I just picked up a set mounted on S-line for 725. I cant wait to try them out.

Got a set of Alpins two seasons ago. Rock Solid on 17s!

[4RingRook]

FYI,

Just saw that the Hankook W300s are 134/each on discounttiredirect in the stock 235/45/17 size.

[jmars]

I'm interested in the Hankook tires but in our stock size whats the XL mean? I like the hankook tires and reviews seem very good.

My tire dealer is pushing the General Altimax Artics hard, Thoughts? Please keep in mind that I'll be doing a bunch of highway driving up the tri-stste area to VT.

[quattro.it]

Got a set of Alpins two seasons ago. Rock Solid on 17s!

Now there's an Audi photo I like!

[4RingRook]

What about GoodYear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 ? It's the #1 rated performance winter tire.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...r=Base%20Model

[Louis J.]

What about GoodYear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 ? It's the #1 rated performance winter tire.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...r=Base%20Model

Just looked them up. They weren't part of the survey a couple of weeks ago when I was doing my homework. Look at the total miles reported...that may be part of the reason for the high rating...smaller sample. They're also not available in 18" sizing and the 17s are only $13 cheaper than the 18" W300 you're looking at.

[4RingRook]

I'm gonna order 17s and put 'em on the stock split 5s. I plan on a new set of summer wheels in the Spring.

[Louis J.]

I'm gonna order 17s and put 'em on the stock split 5s. I plan on a new set of summer wheels in the Spring.

In that case, the only difference is ~$40 in price (W300s are ~$135 in 17s in think) and your preference. Nice comments on the GYs, looks like a good choice.

[jmars]

I love all the help, thanks. Unfortuntely the downfall now is that I've over researched and can't make up my mind on anything......LOL, good problem to have I guess.