I will be taking delivery of a 99.5 closeout 1.8TQMS tomorrow. The argument about GETTING snow tires for Sport Package A4's has been beaten to death....

I am seeking advice on WHEN TO MOUNT the snow tires.

Assistance is appreciated.

I know what you mean about the arguments about snows. But for the life of me I can't figure out why people think its so important, REALLY. My A4 is the first AWD car I've ever owned all others have been RWD or more receintly FWD. I have never gotten stuck. We only really have 5 or so real snow days a year. All season tires are so much superior to the way tires used to be. They do a good job of plowing in this state. I just can't imagine getting stuck in a quattro with new all season tires. I think before I'd buy a new set of tires I'd go in late on those 5 days and keep my $. I commute on back roads down to the Bridgeport area, no fun but it never stopped my VW GTI with fat little tires and FWD, the A4 will be a walk in the park. Maybe I'm wrong?????

Anyway congrats on your new Audi!

The sport package comes equipped with summer only tires not all seasons.

The Dunlop SP8000E's that come on the A4 with the sport package are summer only high performance tires. This means that the tread compound is less effective at lower ambient temps, AND the tread pattern is designed to put the maximum amount of rubber on the road. The angled tread design also helps to vent water (reduces hydroplaning). What this tread pattern is not good at is biting into and throwing off snow. In fact these types of tires will get caked with snow, effectively making them bald. All seasons use a different rubber compound AND a different tread pattern, both better adapted to dealing with snow. Snows of course are specialized here and are great at handling snow, but not real good in other situations.

I know first hand about summer tires in the snow. I spun a 300ZX while traveling 15mph on a straight level road in the snow. I wasn't turning, accelerating, or braking, the car was in 2nd. I had driven for years and been through far worse conditions with other rear wheel drive cars. After adding snow tires on the car, it never had problems with snow again. Remember 4X0=2X0=0(traction).

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms

The first year I owned my A4 -- fitted with Goodyear RS-A all-seasons -- we had a big snowstorm in Western Mass. I was able to drive through snow that was stopping other drivers. Of course, snow tires can't hurt, and are the ultimate way to go, but if you already had M+S, which I understand you don't, then you wouldn't need snows. But in your case, it would make sense to get the snows.


StevenN '96 2.8 qm

G, got my wife's 99.5 2.8 Q-Tip w/ Sport last week. We live in Lake George NY, 50 miles W. of Rutland, VT. Both of us drive a lot, have to be there, and have driven AWD's exclusively for 20 years. Winters here lately have been more ice and less snow. Bought a set of used O.E. 16" wheels from Gary@Ronal and put on Cooper Weathermaster ST snows, and studded them, yesterday. May be overkill for Boston, but not for Berkshires. It'll be a tank. The issue is not getting stuck, but avoiding accidents, other drivers, black ice at midnite, deer-in-the-headlites, panic stops, etc. A margin to cover for little mistakes, and not bend a perfectly good Audi. Guess I'd re-shoe anytime now. Happy Trails.

I live in Western Mass, and I have the same issue with the Sport Package. I've debated the whole M&S vs snow tire question, and have decided to go with snows on separate wheels (which wheels, I haven't decided yet). I'll buy this week, and hold off installing them until the weather forecast indicates temperatures will drop into the 30's, which according to everyone here is when the SP8000E's lose their effectiveness. Shouldn't be too long now...

Good Luck,

Kent
99.5 1.8TQMS

I had Eagle GTs on my GTI VR6 and it was admittedly very slippery when snowing yet I could move with care. Given our history of snow days do you still thing its justified?

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