I just purchased a used 98 2.8Q and it's got the stock all season tires on, are they good enough for winter driving in Chicago, or should I shell out for new winter tires?<p>Tim

In the 5/99 issue of Car and Driver there was an interesting comparison of stock and snow tires on both 2wd and 4wd on the A6 and MB E320. The two wheel drive cars with snow tires outperformed 4wd with stock tires in lateral grip but by only .02 to .03 g's and of course the 4wd with snow tires performed the same as or better than the 2wd w/ snow tires. The A6 Q stopped (50-0) with snow tires in 181 feet and took 245 feet to stop with stock tires (with Q.) The bottom line: snow tires are of good service if you are frequently driving in snow, which you will presumably be doing. You never know when you will need that extra 60 feet of stopping power. <p>This article may be online.<ul><li><a href="http://www.caranddriver.com">Car and Driver</a></li></ul>

i used them this past winter to go skiing at crystal mountain in WA. On a drive that encounters dry pavement->wet pavement->ice->snow i found them very good. i come from MN so i did learn how to drive in the snow much better than most in washington state (boy they are good at throwing their suvs in the ditches...). but if you are from chicago, you know the song and dance. wear them out, and replace them w/ a snow tire.<p>my $0.02<br>john

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I have the Goodyear RSA's and while they will get you moving OK, I felt the ABS<br>come on everytime I tried to stop when there was snow or ice. I got a winter package <br>from Gary@Ronal (rims and Pirelli 210's), huge difference...no more slipping or<br>sliding! I'm in the Boston area, so we probably have similar winter conditions.<p>DaveW<br>98.5 2.8 QM<br>