I'm not up to replacing the stock wheels when my non-sport 2.7T arrives next month, but I do want to upgrade the tires. After much research, I think the best compromise for my needs (SF Bay area with a lot of country backroad driving year-round and some winter driving in the mountains) and to simultaneously improve handling will be Dunlop SP Sport 5000's. Does anyone have experience/opinion on these tires?

I will give you my thoughts this weekend - My new rims ( ATP S5) and 245/45/17 5000's should be on by the end of the day. Based on everything I heard it seems to be a great blend - you do give up some sheer performance but you gain more versatility - given the snow we get, I think these should allow me to not have to run snows.

Regards,

I have a set of 5000s on BBS RK 17" rims. I've only had them about 1k miles, so my experience is limited. What I did notice. They handle better on dry, quieter, and a smoother ride than the stock goodyears. I'm very impressed with the wet performance. I've never had a tire grip so well on slick roads.

We only get light snow in Columbus, so they should be good year round tires here.

Look at Tire Rack's comparison chart. The Bridgestone RE 730 blows them away, particularly $ for $.

The 730 is a great tire if you are looking for dry or wet performance - but the sipping of the 5000's will allow me to feel better in the snow - the 730's are great in water etc but those big blocks won't help in the white stuff or on ice.
Something that some of you may not have to worry about but a concern here - I'll likely put a 9000 on next spring.

I went to Pirelli P6000 Super Veloce 225/50/16 What a difference plus it gives the car a wider stance.<ul><li><a href="http://users.ev1.net/~rscsaab/audi/myaudi.htm">Pics of My A6Q 2.7t TIP</a></li></ul>

You're right! I'm trying to remember what snow in Dallas might be like. Heck, I've about forgotten RAIN!