<br>i just purchesed a set for my car. and was wondering how they perform in the snow, wet and how do they wear. salesman said over 60 degrees they wear faster. what kind of milage can i get out of them<p>thanks<br>wc,98.5 2.8 wett and all the good extra stuff.

You probably know this already (may have influenced your decision), but Consumer Reports just tested winter tires (Pirelli 210, Blizzaks, Alpin, and several others) and the Alpin was their top choice. It had the best balance of dry road behavior and snow performance. I own Blizzaks, and am not disappointed in them, but if I were buying now, I think I would buy the Michelins. They are almost the equal of Blizzaks in snow/ice conditions and better on dry roads.<p>By the way, a lot of people say you shouldn't buy the Blizzaks because when half the tread (or is it 2/3?) is worn off, they become a regular all-season tire. However, I feel that when any snow tire is down to much less than half tread, it's about time to replace a snow tire anyway. A bald snow tire is no longer a snow tire.<p>For most people, faster wear on a snow tire isn't much of a problem. For me, for example, they will only be on the car for about 3 months out of the year, and I do less highway driving in the winter, so they don't accumulate that much mileage. So even if they only last 12,000 miles as snow tires, they will last me at least 4 or 5 years, and by then there will be something better out there that I want anyway.

Just slapped that rubber on my 99 A4 2.8- must confess- not like my blizzaks on my 88 model 90Q- However- I did not go with a narrow/ higher tire on this new set.<p>They do perform very well in the ice, not quite as much "cleaning action" in the deep snow. The tradeoff with the 205-55-16s is that dry weather operation is greatly enhanced.<p>Bottom Line- I am enjoying the winter ride on Alpins

Do you notice much increase in interior cabin roadnoise? Did you have Dunlop 8000s before these? What about handling characteristics on dry pavement vs. Dunlops, etc... I know they will be different, just how much though?<p>Thanks,<p>Kirk