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Here was a recent thread on tires http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/445069.phtml. One of the responses had a link to the results of a Tire Rack Ultra High Performance All Season Tire survey.
What is missing is a comparison to the price and a value for money (VFM) statement. A quick scan on Tire Rack showed the prices for the first 9 tires assuming a size of 235/45/17. Here is a table of the 9 tires with prices and a VFM calculation based on the 9 performance ratings in the survey.  You can draw you own conclusions. Note that the top 4 for VFM were widely separated from the bottom 4 with the middle one being, well in the middle. In my view this table shows that people who have chosen Pirelli PZero or ContiExtremeContact are making the right tradeoff between performance and cost. Anything else either doesn't have the performance or is a waste of money.
AW member since: 2004-07-21 18:46:46
At least not for all-season
AW member since: 2004-07-21 18:46:46
HysterWV
So it looks like your choice is more limited. Here's what I found on Tire Rack .
A quick calculation shows that ContiExtremeContact's are the best value for money in this case. Of course everyone has an opinion :)
HysterWV
--- Sig --- '00 A6 2.7t 6mt 'Bridgette' '90 Coupe quattro 20v - 'Klaus' Fixing Leaky Valve Covers/Cam Tensioners Replacing A Leaky Auxiliary Coolant Pump Prosport Boost Gauge Install    
Let's make the really good assumption that I'm a neophyte and really don't know what tire is the "best" then I would say:
1. There is variability in any survey but this was a online survey from real consumers. Yes I know online surveys can be manipulated. 2. These tires are all Z-rated. The full table shows how each tire is rated according to Dry Traction Wet Traction Hydro Resistance Snow Traction Cornering Stability Steering Response Ride Comfort Noise Comfort Tread Wear and the all important "Would Buy again". 3. Everyone has their own opinion on their favorite Tire and I respect that. I'm just trying to make an informed decision as I don't have a my own favorite brand. Looking at the table the Pirelli's take top honors for all categories except snow traction. For Texas that's not an issue and for people who need Winter Tires (I feel sorry for you), then its not an issue either. So not knowing a Mickie from a Dunnie what should I choose? Well read the forums here of course and may be do some other research. Given say a 5% margin of error in this survey, the Mikkie and the Pirelli are rated about the same except that the Pirelli appears to be slightly better for Ride Comfort, Noise Comfort and Tread Wear and gives much better value for money ($122 versus $192).
A particular type, whether it be ultra-performance or all-season or snow, etc could be "life-saving" at any particular time. When it rains, a ultra-HP tire is NOT the best tire to have on...but one usually does not switch tires for the rain, unless you're an F1 driver ;) Depending on how you drive and depending on the type of weather and conditions you drive in an all-season may be a better (ie. safer) tire. If you live in a dry, warm climate, a HP tire may be better (most of the time). If you live on Mt Everest...
VFM??? I don't know...too hard to conclude based on "surveys"...especially since one guy may have a particular tire on his Hyundai Excel while another has the same make of tire but different size on his 350Z and may draw distinctly different conclusions based on the application. The surveys don't factor in the unknown, ie. the guy filling out the survey! 2001 A6 4.2 "Superfast Silver" ***SOLD*** :(
... will be worth the extra money, if you tend to drive hard.
A6 (C5 platform) FAQ
I live in Texas so luckily I don't have to worry about Winter Tires.
I did this for future reference. Other people might find it useful, even if it is a repeat.
If you get any kind of serious nasty weather, dedicated snow tires are far safer. Not only that, but you can then get them in a nice narrow width, which is perfect for cutting through snow and slush. Buy some dedicated inexpensive alloy wheels that you don't mind trashing on curbs hidden in snow or exposing to salt and grit. Not only that, but you won't need to worry about the trauma, cost, and potential damage from mounting and unmounting seasonal tires on your nice rims.
Come Spring, you'll look forward to your nice fresh shiny rims and super sticky fat tires:-D
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i hope the flying beagle had as much fun making that shot as we do looking at it!!
cheers
all season tires are boring....and i'd agree.
now for your table....i have owned the contis, both mickies and the dunlops....and i have friends with the yokos and pirellis... the yokos are toooo noisey and i wouldn't have them if they were free.... the pirellis and dunlops are just so average and along with the contis...define boring crusing tires....they are right up there with those high mile eco models...only i wouldn't want them for 30k miles.... the mickies are really the 2 best "performance tires" on the list and while the xgt is an aging tire design it is the best of the field. i consider 'max performance allseason' as a designation that should be able to "get you home" when it snows, offer above average response on dry roads, and absolutely excel in the rain.....the wetter the better. living in the pacific northwest, i found the xgt to be the perfect compromise for dry or snow but the best of the best in the wet. and for quattro a near perfect mate. almost like an bridgestone so3 interms of sidewall stiffness and driving response....and they do get loud as they age like the so3 does. i think they are priced correctly and worth the 150-170$ range. my driving enjoyment is too important to base tire purchases on cost primarily. this quality/value factor isn't correctly factored into your table imo. also tirerack doesn't sell toyos and they make some very fine tires; the t4 is their offering in this class and i have several friends who love them.....for all seasons....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. i really favor snows for winter and max/high performance for the other 9 months here in the midwest. given what tires do....i "value" the qualities two set offer over any all season model. and snows tires don't require snow to be useful....just ground temps in the 30s or 40s and the softer rubber will be very useful. cheers
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