Winter Tires

[Tisbury]

Awesome. Came here to research tires, and five minutes later I'm sidetracked by door handle fillers for my RS7 that I now must purchase...

Just curious if you guys can post what winter wheels and tires you are using on your RS7. I've done a ton of research, but I'm getting conflicting answers from multiple companies. I'm in love with Hakapallitta, so bonus points to you if you are using those.

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[madyspop]

He was advised that a 255/35/20 winter tire is too small for the RS7, I don't believe that to be accurate information.

[G35C033]

In CT we average 3-4' of snow annually, along with freezing rain, slush, ice, etc. Initially I was thinking Hakkapellitta R2s for my RS7. They're a superior deep snow tire with a fairly soft compound and max. speed rating of 106 mph, not that i'd be looking to exceed that velocity.

Figuring I'll be driving on cold, mostly dry roads 80-90% of the time I ended up going with Pirellii Sottozero 3, 245/45-20W on Axis 2 matte graphite low pressure cast wheels, +35 offset, from Tirerack. I think the Sottozero 3 is better suited for conditions we see here in the Northeast. Both the tire size and offset are Audi North America recommended for the RS7. One thing I learned prior to purchase is that the RS7 has wheel mounted TPMS like the R8, which provide both pressure and temperature at each corner. I mention this because the local stealership's list price was $190 per corner($130 sensor, $60 metal valve stem!). I did find a dealer in the Boston area that offered the same part combo for $135. TireRack price for all sensor hardware, mount and Hunter road force balance - $285. I'm fortunate to live near one of their 6 or 7 national distribution warehouses and so I picked up the finished wheels, saving another $140 in shipping - this charge for a 25 mile delivery.

I'd post pics. of the wheel and how they look on the car however I apparently don't have permission for this currently. If the moderator's watching can you grant permission please, or tell me how I might upload pics. for this thread?

[G35C033]

Apologies, make that size 245/40-20W: https://audi.rightturn.com/app/verify/

[Tisbury]

I live in northern Iowa. We'll have snow on the ground from November until March. I also live in a town with a lazy street crew. Seriously considering selling my small tractor and getting a plow for my truck.

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[Tisbury]

I must say, I'm a bit disappointed in how dead this thread is. Someone genuinely seeking advise, getting help from ONE person. I'm looking for what you guys are using, that is all.
Are there really that few RS7 owners here? Or does it just take a long time for people to review recent threads?

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[tweak84]

I just ordered this set up for my rs7. Heard nothing but good things about these tires and the wheels don't look too bad either. sorry bout that, try these. with shipping it came to about 3k.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...kageFlow=false

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....cleSearch=true

[Tisbury]

I just ordered this set up for my rs7. Heard nothing but good things about these tires and the wheels don't look too bad either. http://www.tirerack.com/cart/HoldingArea.jsp

Tweak, that link won't work because it's just a link to a cart. When I click the link it takes me to my cart at Tire Rack, which is empty.

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[tweak84]

sorry bout that, try these. with shipping it came to about 3k.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...kageFlow=false

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....cleSearch=true

[Melsan]

While I am not an RS7 owner (S5 now, former S4) I am a big fan of Tire Rack. Spend some time on their website checking out the winter tire/wheel section and read the reviews on the various tires they propose. I always try to go at least one size down on wheel diameter to provide as much protection against the dreaded potholes we get here in New England. I also always get the "studless snow tires" as opposed to the "performance" snow tires as I have found these do much better in snowy conditions, such as you have described. Obviously these do not allow for fast/highspeed driving but that will wait until the summer tires go back on. I have had good luck with Bridgestone Blizzaks and I have read that the Michelin X-Ice tires are very good also. Both are available in "studless snow" versions.

[ke116ngc]

RS7 Snows
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=722158

Tisbury, sorry man. I don't think it's people's reluctance to help as much as its the apparent lack of doing a simple search on the forum. There are thread after thread about winter tires, RS7 winter tires, best winter tire, etc. on here.

Please spend a few minutes searching, reading, and researching the past threads. That alone will either answer your question or give you the ability to begin a conversation with more focus.

Not trying to be a dick but just trying to help. Many people have voiced varying opinions that I believe you'll find very informative. I know it did for me when I was in the market last year for a new set of winters.


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[GolfGL]

I must say, I'm a bit disappointed in how dead this thread is. Someone genuinely seeking advise, getting help from ONE person. I'm looking for what you guys are using, that is all.
Are there really that few RS7 owners here? Or does it just take a long time for people to review recent threads?

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I don't think there are a lot of people here with RS7s let alone RS7s in the snow. I have Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 for my S6, I don't believe they come in your size though. They are decent, not overly impressed with them as the reviews seem to indicate.

[Tisbury]

RS7 Snows
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=722158

Not trying to be a dick but just trying to help. Many people have voiced varying opinions that I believe you'll find very informative. I know it did for me when I was in the market last year for a new set of winters.

Even if you were trying to be a dick, it's completely understandable. It's my ignorance with this site as I am new. I didn't know there was a search option and I should have done that first before posting. I did go through the first hundred or so postings looking for winter tire information before I posted.

I've also spoken to 3 different tire rack representatives, my tire guy, two different employees at hakkapeliitta, and have posts on multiple Audi forums.

I was just hoping, of all places, this would be the place to find out information from other RS7 owners.
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[Tisbury]

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Quote didn't work... sigh

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[fatherdeath]

yeah I have to preorder wheels and tires for winter for my s6 because Im taking delivery after oct1 and summer at that point summer tires are illegal here

[16s3pang]

Reviving this thread.

What tire pressure are folks running with the stock RS7 21” wheels? I just installed my winter wheel/tire setup of Dunlop Wintersport 4D’s 275/30/21.

I set them at 46psi up front and 45psi out back. Didn’t go with TPMS sensors but still stored the psi in the MMI.

What do folks run for psi in the wintertime?


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[Roccorace]

Just had 265/35/20s installed and will run them at ~40psi. Haven't picked it up yet but will update this thread when I do.


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[doc-haz]

S7 owner here. Second winter with my pirelli sottozeros. Running 265/35/20 (I think) which should fit on the RS7. Overall happy with the tire. I bought a set of cheapo TSWs for the setup and it’s done it’s job so far.

Unfortunately it’s gone up in price so much this year, I ended up with Nokian Haekkapillita R3s for my AMG truck. Happy with those as well. Was never gonna spring $500 per tire for the pirellis. The only catch is that the Nokian are not speed rated as high as the pirellis but thinking about it, are you really maxing out your car in snow and ice?

[doc-haz]

I run the pirellis on the Vette seen in the garage as well. The do their job real well.




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[16s3pang]

I run the pirellis on the Vette seen in the garage as well. The do their job real well.




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Looking good! What do you run for psi?

[doc-haz]

Looking good! What do you run for psi?

Don’t remember. I’ll find out for you.


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[Roccorace]

I'm running 37psi/40psi front to back on my 265/35/20 Yokohama blue earth winter tires and they run great on my RS7 and they feel like my summer tires. Not that I have run them at 90mph and they feel the same but they do.


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[16s3pang]

Thanks Roccarace.

I dropped mine down to 42psi all around

[Kodachrome]

My in addition to the 21" blades, my ride came with a set of Sottozero-II on wheels at 275/35/R20. I had them at 45psi all around for a 2,000 mile road trip to Cali last week but now they are down to 42.

Living in a ski town, we get plowed enough but still get snow in the feet if we are lucky. I *think* I like them enough, I say think because I ran Blizzaks on the A4 and could not break that thing loose in most Winter conditions.

This car is different, I think the extra weight is what the source of the learning curve is, slides around a bit more than I am used to and the tires are in great shape.

[Kevin1]

I'm running 37psi/40psi front to back on my 265/35/20 Yokohama blue earth winter tires and they run great on my RS7 and they feel like my summer tires. Not that I have run them at 90mph and they feel the same but they do.


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I am also running Yokohama blue earth winter tires and agree that they are great winter tires. Big thumbs up.

[dab]

as a new rs7 owner I understand your frustration. I didn't want the cost of both rims and snows and am okay for now with the 21in stock rims as they are heavy and can take a beating and the looks work. I am very picky about what rims will go on the car. Anyway the 275/31/21 snows are difficult if not impossible to find in the states and the cost if you do find them 500 plus. Just purchased 4 new 275/30 R21 98W DUNLOP Winter Sport 4D RO1 for 1600 including shipping from ebay shipped from germany. Don't want to worry about rubbing in dynamic with other sizes or turning off tpms with other rims. Saw a used set on craigslist of these tires that went for 1300. Purchased tuesday and they will be here on the 12th. And as you can see even with the post, different tire sizes with different rims there isn't really good information as I have done the search.


Even now this post has gone to what psi we are running and other platforms (non rs7). Off topic............

[FourRings115]

While I am not an RS7 owner (S5 now, former S4) I am a big fan of Tire Rack. Spend some time on their website checking out the winter tire/wheel section and read the reviews on the various tires they propose. I always try to go at least one size down on wheel diameter to provide as much protection against the dreaded potholes we get here in New England. I also always get the "studless snow tires" as opposed to the "performance" snow tires as I have found these do much better in snowy conditions, such as you have described. Obviously these do not allow for fast/highspeed driving but that will wait until the summer tires go back on. I have had good luck with Bridgestone Blizzaks and I have read that the Michelin X-Ice tires are very good also. Both are available in "studless snow" versions.

I agree on going down with a minus 1 set up, but keep in mind that only some 19 inch wheels will have clearance for the S6/7, even though the base wheel for both cars is a 19 inch. I think the RS7 might actually have a slightly smaller diameter rotor (the wave rotor). But either way, be careful trying to go to 19 inch. Even some Audi OEM 19s might not clear the brakes (I looked at used S5 peelers, A6 19 inch wheels, etc). In the end I ended up getting another set of 20 inch S6 split spoke wheels in nearly perfect shape in the marketplace here for only $1000.
As for tires, I went with Blizzaks- I go from urban area to skiing in upstate NY and Vermont and they have been great.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

I don't think there are a lot of people here with RS7s let alone RS7s in the snow. I have Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 for my S6, I don't believe they come in your size though. They are decent, not overly impressed with them as the reviews seem to indicate.

I have the same in 255/45/19 on my A6. They’re adequate for mild snow and pretty good on cold wet or cold dry roads. My wife’s Continentals on Q7 are better in deep snow and similar on cold wet/dry...




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[s4nicetry]

I have an S6 and spent the time finding a set of 19's that will actually fit the car due to the big brakes. Skinnier tires are better for snow and ice so I got a set of 245/40/19 Hakka R2's, my favorite winter tire. The grip from these is incredible compared to most other winters I've ever used. We get a ton of snow where I am and I love nothing better then jumping in the car and driving out to the mountains during or right after a huge snow storm to try and get first tracks on the ski hill. If you get lots of snow/ice and traction is key go for a skinnier set up and yes Nokians are the bomb.

[biehniac]

+1

I'll be giving the Yokohama Bluearth's a try this winter on my S7.

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[dab]

as a new rs7 owner I understand your frustration. I didn't want the cost of both rims and snows and am okay for now with the 21in stock rims as they are heavy and can take a beating and the looks work. I am very picky about what rims will go on the car. Anyway the 275/31/21 snows are difficult if not impossible to find in the states and the cost if you do find them 500 plus. Just purchased 4 new 275/30 R21 98W DUNLOP Winter Sport 4D RO1 for 1600 including shipping from ebay shipped from germany. Don't want to worry about rubbing in dynamic with other sizes or turning off tpms with other rims. Saw a used set on craigslist of these tires that went for 1300. Purchased tuesday and they will be here on the 12th. And as you can see even with the post, different tire sizes with different rims there isn't really good information as I have done the search.


Even now this post has gone to what psi we are running and other platforms (non rs7). Off topic............

rs7 snow tires

[Kevin1]

+1

I'll be giving the Yokohama Bluearth's a try this winter on my S7.

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You won’t regret it

[daytona rs7]

i run 255/40/20 (sottozero) winter tires on my rs7. no problem with fitment and drives like a champ in the snow. figured i'd mention incase anyone is looking for alternative sizes.

[rephil]

Not RS7, But I just had hakkapeliitta r3's installed on my S6. They are amazing so far.

[Marc R]

I have got the 21 inch OEM audi wheels with 285/30/21 Dunlop wintersport 4D W code on it so no worries on the autobahn... :-)

[Valpo A7]

This will be my first winter with our 2012 A7 and I am in the "other" category. We have Continental Control Contact Sport A/S all seasons. My area averages about 40 inches of snow annually and our plows are fairly quick to react to a snow event, except in my subdivision. I live in Indiana and commute 60 miles to work each day into Illinois on the Chicago highway system. We have had only a handful of snow events this season and I have had zero problems moving around.

I like the tire, I had them on my previous FWD car and I have them now on my daughters FWD Eclipse. The Eclipse is light so it has those issues in the winter but it still gets around, just a bit slower.

Depending how the winter goes with the all seasons on the 7 I might reconsider them for next year but for now the all seasons are holding their own on my roads.

[Glicious]

I live in Chicagoland and trying to figure you what I do with 21" stock blade wheels with summers on the S7s I'm looking at. I have typically had a second set wheels/tires. With the potholes and such, I'm thinking best option would be to back down to a 20" rim and some reasonable winter tires, probably blizzard.

I'm no wheel expert, but assuming any after market wheel that matches the stock 20" wheels spec .. 20" x 9" x 37 mm offset. Are there any other wheel sizes/tire sizes that are safe to go with to stay within total diameter? Just curious the details of others' winter tire setups.