And NOT have a sport suspension?

The tire choices that I thought I had were for summer only uhp tires or all season high performance tires.

As I am closing in on new shoes for my 2005 A6 with the 18" wheels and standard suspension, I thought I would do some comparison shopping.

Much to my chagrin, I found the ContiProContact tires that came on my A6 are NOT high performance tires -- but "grand touring" tires.

According to the pecking order at TireRack, Grand Touring tires are lower in performance (I'll say) than hp or uhp all seasons.

So Audi builds these cars for export to the US with only two tire options and the most popular one is relatively low performance even though the tire's replacement cost is $200 ea.

A Pirelli PZero Nero M+S had the same wear characteristics but is a much more competent handling tire -- which from a replacement cost standpoint is $160 per.

Perhaps the Grand Touring is for comfort -- which is fine. But, I would assume that many who buy Audis do so for their reputation as being a luxury PERFORMANCE car. You shouldn't have to get an SLine or Summer Only tires to be able to choose UHP A/S tires.

Of course, I must be in an tiny minority, since most folks do NOT go SLine, and do NOT go Summer only tires.

I assume the car will take on a bit more sporting character with the switch to UHP A/S's from the Grand Touring rubber.

Seems like it could be "the best of both worlds" for those of us who don't really need to switch tires due to relatively moderate winters.

Audi -- please let us pick the rubber we want.

S-Line with performance Tires
S-Line with all-season tires or
18" wheels with all-season tires.

To assume "all-season" implies UHP all-season is just a mistake. Perhaps as you said you get UHP all-season with the S-Line, but the grand touring tire satisfies the masses which is whom Audi aims to please. (Especially if you didn't get the sport suspension.)

Let us know how things turn out when you get the new tires on.

. . .I assumed HP all seasons, which the tire rack seems to indicate have higher performance characteristics than the Grand Touring tires.

What I "want" is for Audi to allow those of us who do order our cars to elect the performance characteristics (naming convention?) of the tires, even if we cannot hope to have the BRAND honored.

It would seem to me, since Audi did change their approach for the US market, that there could be three or four choices.

1. UHP or above Summer only

2. UHP all season tires

3. HP all season tires

4. Grand Touring all season tires

The dealers or Audi of America could order for inventory anything they wanted -- when I got mine, I did have but two choices the UHP summer only tires and what I thought were HP all seasons.

My assumption did not even include hoping to have the choice of UHP all seasons.

"Mass Customization" with respect to tires and wheels would be so much easier than the color even, these days.

The sheet, just as it can for paint and interior colors, could say "UHP Summer, UHP All seasons, etc etc etc."

Also, if one was willing to pay for the RS6 wheels from the SLine package, why not for pity's sake sell them.

Now, of course, if the exclusivity factor is what is being done here, I would argue they are throwing away an opportunity to take money from willing customers.'

My dealer told me he has a sold car -- "IF" it can be had in Misano Red MINUS the SLine Option.

The customer, so says the dealer, will pay an upcharge for the paint, but doesn't want the rest of the SLine package.

Were I in charge, I'd gladly accept the order as the customer wants it, unless there was some kind of safety issue.

Perhaps I would NOT permit Grand Touring tires on 18" or 19" wheels if the customer ordered the sport suspension -- but perhaps I would permit the HP or UHP all seasons, kind of thing.

You are probably correct, most customers would simply not bother with that level of detail and it would be something to be maintained.

I have, twice, upgraded both my wheels and tires on Audis -- and it always seems to cost at least $2K. Were I Audi, I would want that $2K -- that is an important part of my point here.

Otherwise I'm just whining a bit.

I'll let you know if the UHP AS's do improve the handling of my non sport suspensioned 18" wheel equipped A6.

My guess is that Audi doesn't/can't leave this decsision in the consumers hand because there would be too many lawsuits.

I had bought my car before Audi had to issue the standard legal disclaimer for "performance tires". Since the S4 only came with "performance tires" I didn't understand it since I knew full well the tires were summer only and no good in the snow, but I/we are in the minority in understanding logical things. I thought it was rediculous when this noticed started to appear on the website, but I'm sure Audi had plenty of people complaining about the poor performance of their AWD S4's in the snow on stock tires.

From AudiUSA website:

"Performance Tires
Performance tires are designed for optimum performance and handling in warm climates. They are not suitable for cold, snowy, or icy weather conditions. If you drive under those circumstances, you should equip your vehicle with four all-season or winter tires, which offer better traction under those conditions. We suggest you use the recommended winter or all-season tires specified for your car, or their equivalent. These high-performance tires also have a lower aspect ratio that aids performance and handling; however, in order to avoid tire, rim or vehicle damage, it is important that the inflation pressure is regularly checked and maintained at recommended levels. Serious wheel and tire damage may occur if the vehicle is operated on rough or damaged road surfaces or upon encountering road debris or obstacles. Please also remember in making your selection that, while these tires deliver responsive handling, they may ride less comfortably and make more noise than other choices. Finally, these tires may wear more quickly than other choices. For more information on all of these topics, please consult the owner's manual, your local dealer, or call 1-800-FOR-AUDI. "