I have just purchased a new A6 with 18" wheels. I had been a fan of the studded Haka 2's on my 03 Allroad and was a bit surprised when the dealer told me the they probably could not get a studded 18" tire to fit my new car. I was a bit cynical about a studless tire having any where near the performance of a studded tire, especially in Anchorage where we get very high 30-40 degree wind storms that polish the snow covered dirt roads high on the mountainside where I live into glare ice sometimes with a nice sheen of water on the surface. I picked up my car on Friday and it was equipped with the Dunlop DS-2 (run flat model). I have been a bit careful with them as the roads and my rather long and steep driveway are glare ice, but they have performed amazingly well. They have done as well as my studded Haka 2's and are such a dream to drive on the highway. The Haka 2's were loud and caused mild vibration, it was always a pleasure to change them out in the spring for the summer tires, but these Dunlop's have been such a pleasure to drive on. I suspect part of it might be the increased road noise suppression on the part of the new A6, but I suspect that is only a minor contributor. I am looking forward to testing the tires in deeper snow, the Haka 2's performed very well in deep snow, so time will tell how the Dunlop's compare. Looking forward to hearing other insights and experiences.

... (vs studded tires).

I used to have the Nokian HP2 on my old A6, but I replaced them with Nokian WR when I bought my A4 last year. The WR performs just as good as the HP2 on most surfaces, and it will be hard to prove the HP2 as a better tire even on ice. The WR is MUCH quieter than then HP2 obviously because it is a friction tire, and the advantage clearly overrules the traction disadvantages.

I recently bought Pirelli Sottozero for my new A6, and they are just great. I haven't had too much of a chance to drive them in snow yet, but on ice they are pretty good. Compared to the Nokian WR they tend to over steer more, which I think is a more safe behaviour. When I turn the car I want it to actually turn. The chance of hitting someone or something is bigger when the car under steer.