New A6 Owner - Looking for snow tire recommendations

[ELUSIVE21]

Hi all -
Proud new owner of a 2016 A6. Loving the car for the most part. As winter approaches i'm starting to consider snow tire/wheel options and would love some recommendations.

1) What size?
2) What tire (different options in different sizes) do you all like. Tire rack does not sell the Hakkas.

My A6 came with 20" wheels so i'd like to go to a smaller size wheel/snow tire combo. I've been looking at tire rack.
Options are:

1) 18" - 222/50/18 or 245/45/18
2) 19" - 255/40/19

Anyone have any experience or opinion of the 18" vs 19" options. I'm leaning towards the 18" options simply for better track her in Colorado even though it will not look as good.

Thanks,
Stacey

[cohall]

Not sure where you are in Colorado, but for me, I decided on making the compromise of running good all-seasons (Continental DSWs) on my OEM 20s year-round. I'm in Denver though, so snow really isn't a major issue. The all seasons combined with Quattro are perfectly capable up in the mountains during the winter as well. if you have the front-wheel drive version, I'd probably want to go to a dedicate setup as well...

[ELUSIVE21]

I'm just outside of Boulder but go skiing just about every weekend through the winter so spend plenty of time in the high country.
I have all-wheel drive and have been driving on winter tires all my life. All seasons are not and will never be an option for me even though the DWS's are a decent compromise. I simply prefer a dedicated summer only tire and a dedicated winter tire.
The saying in my family has always been "they call them all seasons because they suck in all seasons" LOL.

[agent47]

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 or 8 if you want the best of the best (tirerack doesnt seel them but shouldn't be too hard to find them). Bridgestone Blizzaks are also a good option. The northern folks can give you a comparison I believe. 245/45/18 might be a better choice.
Found 3 dealers for Nokian- Barnsley Tire, Audi Boulder, Discount tire- All 3 in Boulder.

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[Cruxin]

Hi all -
Proud new owner of a 2016 A6. Loving the car for the most part. As winter approaches i'm starting to consider snow tire/wheel options and would love some recommendations.

1) What size?
2) What tire (different options in different sizes) do you all like. Tire rack does not sell the Hakkas.

My A6 came with 20" wheels so i'd like to go to a smaller size wheel/snow tire combo. I've been looking at tire rack.
Options are:

1) 18" - 222/50/18 or 245/45/18
2) 19" - 255/40/19

Anyone have any experience or opinion of the 18" vs 19" options. I'm leaning towards the 18" options simply for better track her in Colorado even though it will not look as good.

Thanks,
Stacey

I'm going through the same investigation myself since I also have the sport package 20" on my A6.

I'm looking at Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2's

There are some Enkei 18" wheels they have on special. Total mounted and balanced with rims with Tax was around $1,600.

I had them run the 20" tires alone (if I wanted to keep my current rims for the winter) they were $335 a tire. = $1,340 plus mounting and balancing, plus tax would take that close to $1,500. So I am probably going to go with the 18" setup since it is only $100 more.

[danfzx14]

18" Rial DH Silver Wheels with Michelin X-Ice XI3 Tires 225/50R18/XL (99H)

This is what I ran last winter, my first with the A6, and have nothing but good to say about the tires, from the ride, to noise, to traction in the slippery conditions. Also, the Rial DH did not require centering rings either. Those were the only wheels Tire Rack had available that did not require them. Luckily I liked the style. Hope this helps.

[Beezer14]

If you are looking to not compromise too much on summer type handling in the winter go with the Michelin Pilot Alpine PA4s. They are expensive but incredible tires. Often hard to find. I put them on my peelers and love them. Perfect in snow, wet, and dry conditions.


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[Sd76]

I had blizzaks on my a6. Never got to use them on the a6 Bc it got rear ended. I gave them up for sake see my thread... They are awesome.


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[Carl Weathers]

I bought my car in Vegas and drove it home to Chicago. Before I started the journey, I bought some all-seasons (I forget which at the moment) and after hitting some nasty snow driving through the Vail Pass, I wouldn't want all-seasons on it if I lived there either. They suit me fine in Chicago, but snow on flat ground is different than snow on a slope.

[TD_05]

I am in a similar situation with my S6. Considering Hakka R2's. Climate and precip amounts similar to Denver. Although I am leaning towards just sticking with 20 incher's. I like the look, and I doubt it would degrade efficacy compared to a 19 inch snow tire on an all wheel drive sedan. Thoughts?

[tenspeed]

I got my A7 last year early December. Not many choices. I went to TireRack and found that certain 17" wheels fit the C7. I got a set of Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT (255/55-R17) on Rial Kodiak wheels (17X7.5 ET 28 - 23 pounds). Total cost delivery to my door was a few bucks over $1000 after the GoodYear rebates.

I live in western NY and we average 10 foot of snow. I've worn out the expensive brands of tires over the years on my other cars and found any tire with a snowflake on the side meets my needs. Most of my winter driving is on dry plowed roads, hardpack back roads and the occasional storm. The Rial wheels remind of the five rotor wheels. The dark color hides the dirt.



They look a little plain so I got some red wheel tape for motorcycles.

[Kevin1]

I have been very happy with the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4

[67ITB]

I have a 2014 A6 TDI S-Line, Prestige.

I have been using Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT 235-50-18 and wheels are from Tirerack “Sport Edition, A8 Titanium Gunmetal ” 18x8 (the A8 has nothing to do with Audi)

These are as small a diameter, as narrow width, and tall sidewall as I felt comfortable fitting
(I didn’t risk 17s, but some people said they would fit)

Goodyear’s have been impressive. Connecticut winters are a mix of all types. Deep powder, shallow slush, freezing rain, and everything in between. To include from 0 degrees to 60+ degrees.

I don’t have the luxury to stay home in crappy weather, so I can tell you these have gotten me to and from work (64 miles each way) every storm we have had for the last couple of winters. I travel a mix of both highway and secondary roads, at all hours of the day and night so I don’t have the luxury of waiting for the plows to clear the roads.

These Goodyear's are the same tire the CT state police were using at the time (not sure if they still do) but after seeing those guys driving rear wheel drive Crown Victoria’s in the same crappy weather on my commute I switched from Blizzak (SOFT and Squirmy) and have been pleased with the performance. Performance being snow, ice, cold roads... not actual performance!!!

Hope this helps

Matt

[ELUSIVE21]

Thank you everyone for your responses.
Anyone want to share pictures of your 18" setup on your cars. I'd love to see pics.

Thx

[Sd76]

A6 prestige ( loved this car until it was rear ended!) with 18" blizzaks! Never used but going to a good home tonight!


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[ELUSIVE21]

In case anyone is interested, this is the setup that I ended up with after a bit of research and ease of getting from Tire Rack.
18x8 Monte Titano MT3 Sopra wheels with 225/50R18 Michelin X-ice XI3 snow tires.
Was able to pick them up from the Denver distribution center the day after ordering. Total came to $1235.58 and there was a $70 tire rebate. I think it was a pretty good deal.

Some pics:

[tglad5]

I've used Hankook ICept 255x60x18 for several years for winter setup. Quiet and very responsive. This is in the DC metro area.

[PKmode]

Michelin X-Ice XI3. Ran them for at least 5K miles last year including a frozen lake Audi ice driving event. I like them a lot. All the grip but much quieter than some of the other dedicated winter tires I've run.