Hey Guys,
getting new all-season for my B6 1.8T Quatt Sport Pckg. Size 235/45 17.
I'm Considering **Bridgestone potenza G009 OR **Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S. Or other recommendations?

All seasons are a compromise at best. Having said that, look at Pirelli P Zero Neros. Make sure the speed and load ratings at least match or exceed your OE tires too. Check out the reviews at tirerack.com for more info.

The Pirelli P Zero Nero M&S is an Ultra High Performance All Season which puts it in the same category as the Michelin Pilot A/S. I am advised by my tire guy that the P Zero Nero is not good on snow.

One category down is the High Performance AS of which the Exalto seems to be the best available. Certainly the summer version of this tire is excellent.

I would not pay much attention to the "you must have winter tires" crowd. They are simply out of date. if you drive a lot in deep snow, on glare ice or during very cold temperatures then you will probably prefer winter tires, but even then I'd get H rated high performance winters. If you drive on plowed roads at temperatures mainly above minus 25 C then All Seasons are now so good that you will enjoy the added perfromance you get on bare roads and will not miss the extra grip you get from winter tires.

Of course, if you are not a confident driver in winter then full Q rated winters are advisable, as is staying home during bad conditions. Here in Western Canada the main winter driving hazard is from incompetent drivers, not road conditions. It hardly matters what tires you have if the numnuts coming at you doesn't know how to drive in winter.

opt for winter tires when the snow falls.

Koz.

IMO, The colder it gets the more you need winter tires. Where did you get the -25C number from?
As out of date as I am :), you say AS tires are now so good they work very well but you do admit that winters stop better. I'd say that winter tires have kept up with AS tires in a developmental sense. Because they stop better than AS tires and H rated handle nearly as well, that is the setup for me. The bonus with them is that when it get icy, snowy, etc., they really come into their own. I look at them as added cheap insurance. If I avoid one slide, curb,accident,or fender bender they've paid for themselves.If there is a trade off in handling,it's worth it.

So far Bazman75 hasn't said where he drives,etc so it really is hard to say what setup he really needs.
Hugh

symbol to prove it.

they also are crap on bare roads. I was reminded of that this morning in Calgary. Misty rain at near freezing temperatures and my Nokian Hakka Q's locked up ( i.e. engaged the ABS) at the slightest provocation. Mind you, I'm pretty impressed by the stability of these 205/55x16 Hakka Q's as they are much more stable than the 185/65x14 older model I have on my Mazda Protege. It seems like these newer and bigger Hakka Q's might be built on the stiffer and more able WR carcass...hmmmm