I got winter tires installed today. I decided on Nokian Hakka 1 195/65/15 on steel rims based on past forum recommendations and input from the retailer. Originally, I was going to go without wheel covers, but I ended up getting some plain covers with Audi rings in the centre.

The weather's been so great lately up here in Toronto, that I did hesitate to put away the SP8000E's for the season. The drive home definitely felt different with the Hakka's, especially since it hit 18 deg (Celsius) today. They tell me they should start to feel more stable once the temps near freezing.

Kaz
99.5 2.8qms l.silver/onyx

nt

I have about 1,000 miles worth of tread left on the SP8000's and am trying to get every last mile out of them before the snow falls. Once the snow falls the SP8000's are going to the recycle bin! I acutally got 36,000 miles out of them!

I wouldn't dream of taking my A4 into the snow and ice. I know the car is more than capable of handling the most oppresive of driving conditions, but to subject this car to the horrors of foul weather just seems ludicrous.
Am I the only person who bought this car as for pleasure driving only??

At least if you own a quattro, pleasure driving consists of burning past everyone on the road when there's of foot of snow on the ground. Sorry, but this car can be enjoyed just as much if not more in the winter. I bought an Audi so I can drive a sports car year round.

NOT drive an A4 in winter???? I'm on my seventh quattro, all of them bought specifically for winter driving. Put on a cheap set of downsized steel wheels and good snow tires, and the darned things are unstoppable. I'm not sure I'd even drive an Audi if I wasn't a skier, and I wouldn't dream of lowering the suspension, etc. I buy my cars for the snow, and summer is just a six month period to endure.

To me, parking a car like this for the winter is ludicrous!

DMoore
'00 S4

Yesterday 15 deg. Celsius. This morning, 0 degrees, 80 km/h winds and blowing snow. Several school buses could not go. About 2 inches of heavy wet slush on the road.

With my new Pirelli W210A's, I was first on the street this morning. I could not spin the tires, slide even an inch throwing the car left and right, or skid to a halt. Wow, this is neat! The other teachers were complaining about sliding through intersections and getting going on the roads. I'm really looking forward to a good heavy snow (for my own selfish purposes, and as long as no one else gets hurt).

Mac
99.5 1.8TQTip

"Subject this car to foul weather is ludicrous"

While I love my A4, this is not a Ferrari!!!

This is not going to be a winter-garaged BMW. hehehe...

nt

AT the dealership they told me the SP8000s would
be fine in snow, but that isn't true is it? I have
changed them off anyway.

bw

Steelcase Tire'n'Mags 187 Steelcase Rd. W Unit 1, Markham, ON L3R 2R9 905-479-8884
(West of Woodbine, North of Steeles).

... even if that car is a near-lux like the A4. In my opinion, the A4 offers me the best "value" for the money in terms of performance, luxury, daily practicality, fun-factor, and last but not least, foul-weather safety and performance. There are a lot of choices out there, but there was only one for me!

but they required very carefull driving and I only went short distances. Would not even dream of using them on I-25 or the even worse the moountains.

D2s on the way.