Are B8 S5 Cabriolets bad in snow?

[Magowin]

Came across my first snow storm with the 2012 S5 Cabriolet I bought in the summer and it was quite scary at times. In covered parking lots and streets stopping was horrible ABS kicks in constantly and car slides about 4-5 feet before it stops and I was only going about 5 mph. Turning also scared me as it seems it will only turn if given power trying to leave a gas station had to cut wheel pretty sharp and it just plowed toward the curb leaving the lot until I gave car power. I had 2 STI's, a G37XS and a Legacy GT prior to this car and they never had this type of behavior. The 2 STI's and the Infiniti had Snow tires but the Legacy was on all seasons and that was a lot more confident than this car. I'm assuming it has to do with weight but the Infiniti wasn't too far away from the S5. The tires I have are some Dunlops all season I never heard of Dunlop Conquest Sport A/S so maybe they suck in snow.

[shortyolsen2017]

Drive an S4 personally and hands down best car I've driven in the snow. Driven all the main vehicle w/awd,fwd and some 4wd vehicles. Can't be afraid of the throttle and I'm easy on it coming to a stop, every once in a while if I push it some abs will kick in but not often. I regularly can do 50+ mph on hwy covered in snow and feel confident while driving, car is very stable. I run Goodyear eagle f1 and have no complaints although snow tires would obviously be better but I haven't felt the need to pull the trigger. Im here in Denver so we get quite a bit of snow throughout the year.

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[NH_S5_Cab]

I came from a G37x, to a ‘16 S5 Cab, and have always run only All-season tires. I do think the S5 Cab is worse in the snow, for two reasons probably. First is the extra weight, second is the 255 series tires. I’ve run both cars on new all seasons usually Michelin AS3’s or whatever the latest Michelin all season might be and the G37x was better turning and braking. Tire width matters for sure. Maybe if I put winters on they would be similar or S5 would get the edge. I’ve just learned to take it easy, and time my tire replacement around Fall, so that I get the best grip I can. I put about 20k miles on my car a year or so, so by the following winter, it’s almost time for new rubber. I put about 27k on 2018’s tires, and it was bad driving this year. Just replaced with new ones...back in business. I don’t love buying new rubber every year but figure it’s the price to play, I drive hard, and don’t want to end up off the road. Hope that helps.


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[Kittrell]

Turning also scared me as it seems it will only turn if given power trying to leave a gas station had to cut wheel pretty sharp and it just plowed toward the curb leaving the lot until I gave car power.

Not sure what to tell you, but this is just typical car behavior in the absence of normal traction. Power going to all four wheels is what puts you in the direction you want to go. We had a B6 A4 cab for a few years here in Denver that wasn't even Quattro and had no issues. I've never run anything but DWS 06 or AS3's so maybe that has a bit to do with it since they are the top rated all seasons. Never had any issue in snow with the following (B6 FronTrak A4 Sedan, B6 Quattro A4 Sedan, B6 FronTrak A4 Cab, B5 Quattro S4 Sedan, C6 Quattro S6 Sedan, B8 Quattro S5 Coupe, 4L Quattro Q7)

[shortyolsen2017]

Nice, yeah I'm on 255/35r19 and think I'll switch to Michelin all seasons prob when the time comes. I can say my A3 hatch dsg fwd absolutely sucks in the snow/ice. I'd drive a scion tc or xb before that pos, lol. Under powered fwd do fine or awd, nothing else can really come close to performance. Not ever used Douglas personally so it may just be the tires.

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[Magowin]

Thanks for replies guys it's probably mostly due to the extra weight and lower profile tires like you mentioned because the STI's and Infiniti I had size down tires with higher profile that were winter specific. I need new tires on my Acura RSX Type S beater will prob just get Continental DWS 06 tires for it and drive that when weather is bad.

[shortyolsen2017]

Anytime, good luck with your quest.

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[Neil F]

I have been driving in NE winters for 40 years on many different types of tires including true snow tires

The 2 STI's and the Infiniti had Snow tires

Apples and Oranges between snow and A/S tires. I drove my 89 well modified Mustang for 18 winters and a number of A/S tires. Finally with with snow tires, I laughed at many other cars as I drove past them.

Tires are EVERYTHING and ESPECIALLY in winter.

Doing a quick google on those tires your earlier post came up (I do remember seeing it earlier this year) and from the fact that they were discontinued I may suspect they may be reasons. https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-heard-of-them There is NO internet info on them.

With that said, audi is very proven in the winter (awd/braking) and the minor extra weight is not going to make much difference. (Other Audi product lines with similar/same drive trains weigh more)

So far I have been through two winters with my 14' Cab. I had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S and this year got Continental DWS06. I go by Tire Rack tests and the DWS edged out PS in the white in the latest tests.

[eskimo0101]

I've been taking my S5 cab to ski country all season and it's one of the best cars I've ever owned in the snow. Of course I actually put snow tires on it. :)

[RRM707]

Tires are EVERYTHING and ESPECIALLY in winter.

Without a doubt.

[doug97gxe]

DWS06 will change your life

[Magowin]

DWS06 will change your life

Yeah plan on getting them once the tires on car go but will unfortunately take me quite awhile to burn through them they were put on new from dealer before they put car up for sale and they are said to last 45k miles which sucks for me my commute to work is only 18 miles a day so will take me forever to burn through them.

[Neil F]

Yeah plan on getting them once the tires on car go but will unfortunately take me quite awhile to burn through them they were put on new from dealer before they put car up for sale and they are said to last 45k miles which sucks for me my commute to work is only 18 miles a day so will take me forever to burn through them.

Safety FIRST! If they really are dangerous in slick conditions, I would eat the cost and just get good tires.

[Skyler@Achtuning]

Safety FIRST! If they really are dangerous in slick conditions, I would eat the cost and just get good tires.

This, just toss the old tires on Craigslist cheap to recover some value, you'll really kick yourself if you get in an avoidable accident because of some crappy tires.

[RRM707]

Yeah plan on getting them once the tires on car go but will unfortunately take me quite awhile to burn through them they were put on new from dealer before they put car up for sale and they are said to last 45k miles which sucks for me my commute to work is only 18 miles a day so will take me forever to burn through them.

If you're interested, I have a set of snows mounted on aftermarket wheels that I'd sell. I bought them used, & put them on the car, just to see how they'd look. I then realized, I don't drive my car in the rain, much less the snow, because it's my toy car.(I have 2 other AWD cars for the winter) So I took them off, they've been sitting. I work in Yonkers(looks like you're in NJ). No too far for you to drive. Figured I'd offer. These are them.

[Magowin]

If you're interested, I have a set of snows mounted on aftermarket wheels that I'd sell. I bought them used, & put them on the car, just to see how they'd look. I then realized, I don't drive my car in the rain, much less the snow, because it's my toy car.(I have 2 other AWD cars for the winter) So I took them off, they've been sitting. I work in Yonkers(looks like you're in NJ). No too far for you to drive. Figured I'd offer. These are them.

Thanks for the reply the rims look nice but I've spent so much on car already making it Stage 2 and paying the year of insurance recently so can't afford them at the moment. If you still have them next year I'll probably take them then.

[eskimo0101]

Probably going to need that insurance driving it on shit tires in the snow.

[Kittrell]

Thanks for the reply the rims look nice but I've spent so much on car already making it Stage 2 and paying the year of insurance recently so can't afford them at the moment. If you still have them next year I'll probably take them then.

Lol, next year and it's January.

[LogCabinAlex]

I live at a ski resort in VT and own an s5 cab (dif upgrade on dynamic). Having previously owned a subaru STi and other AWD/4wd autos...the S5 is an incredible snow machine. I would go far as to state, it not just gets you from A to B in a storm, it does it with zest! Easy drifts under power. Makes for a really fun drive to the lifts;)

get some good tires! some people overlook this for snow driving. My other vehicles have dedicated winter studded tires. The s5 has all season toyo celsius ( they fit the stock 19,s) and they work excellent all winter, late fall and early spring. Then they come off for the summer shoes n slicks.

just my 2cents

[Magowin]

I live at a ski resort in VT and own an s5 cab (dif upgrade on dynamic). Having previously owned a subaru STi and other AWD/4wd autos...the S5 is an incredible snow machine. I would go far as to state, it not just gets you from A to B in a storm, it does it with zest! Easy drifts under power. Makes for a really fun drive to the lifts;)

get some good tires! some people overlook this for snow driving. My other vehicles have dedicated winter studded tires. The s5 has all season toyo celsius ( they fit the stock 19,s) and they work excellent all winter, late fall and early spring. Then they come off for the summer shoes n slicks.

just my 2cents

Since winter is mostly mild so far this year I will just use my 03 Acura RSX if snow is in the forecast and get a winter set next year. The tires on there now are good when wet and dry so they will suffice for a year.