Getting my B7 S4 in around 3 weeks. Being outside Philly, the winters can be incredibly mild with no snow, to several ice/snow storms each season - it's a crapshoot. I'm uncomfortable running the summer perf tires the car comes with. Problem - I really don't want 17's on the car - even for the winter. I really would like a set of 18" Blizzak LM-25's. In looking at Tire Rack packages, looks like any setup will run well above $1500 for tires and wheels - I'm willing to change tires 2x per year on the stock S4 wheels - what are the drawbacks to doing that vs. buying a package? Two I can think of are (1) risk of damaging the rims with frequent tire changes; and (2) need to rebalance with pulling off and replacing weights each time tires are changed. Of note, I'm a complete detail nut and need my cars to be perfect. Should I just bite the bullet and buy the package or is it worth switching tires? Interested in opinions. Thanks.

its so easy to just swap to your winter setup once the season turns. it will become a PITA to switch the tires evey season.

You've mentioned a few great points in favor of a Dedicated Winter Rim/Tire Set.
1. Preserve your Summer Rims for Summer use & prestine condition.
2. Save the monies your gonna spend on seasonal mount/dismount & rebalance work (2 times per season).
3. Convenience. You can swap sets at anytime.
4. Speed to swap. 1/2 hr tops to do everything. No driving anywhere.
5. Opportunity to detail and clean each set of rims at the change of seasons.
6. Have an opportunity to give yer ride a "new" look during the change of seasons.
7. There will be a salvage value to your winter set (tires pending) when you want to get sell them.
8. Have full confidence during winter driving that you'll have the ultimate. Quattro on Winter Tires :o
Some other pluses but that's basically it.

assuming I go with dedicated wheel/tire setup, is it worth the extra $$ to go with 18's or would 17's suffice? Obviously love the look of 18's, which is why I'm having this problem in the first place!

the winter. Maybe not ideal for you but there no going to be anywhere near 1500. Give me an offer. Save your money for nice summer wheels. No need to get 18's for the winter.

In fact, that's what I'm doing as well. Keeping the stock tires with winter rubber, and buying 19s for summer time.

Eddie Man brought up many points that I happen to agree with. Which is why I'm doing what I'm doing.

Is your S4 is 2008? Did you get the 18" RS4 wheels in the Convenience pkg?

TireRack recommends downsizing an inch.

I would definetely go 17s for winter...
Cheaper and also more rubber cushion for dem pesky winter potholes.
BTW, here's a snapshot of my Stockers w/DunlopWinterSportM3s racked up for the summer :)
<img src="http://images1.snapfish.com/34739%3A645%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D323%3B%3E558%3E459%3E WSNRCG%3D3233858759748nu0mrj">

in snow, slush and ice up and down mountain roads w/o any problems . The main advantage I see for dedicated winter tires vs " all - seasons " is the greater stopping power .
The Nokians , as well as a couple other winter brands also have the factory required " XL " sidewall load rating which is important running such low profile ,low sidewall height tires on such a heavy car esp in winter when potholes are hidden by snow.

I'm going to use my old 17" superleggeras from the retired A4, but I'm not in the snow all the time. During the week (and some weekends), I'm in the bay area. On many weekends, I go to tahoe where there's some serious winter conditions.

For the last few years, I had Pilot Sport A/S on the A4 and they worked well in the snow, but not great. When it got deep and/or a little frozen slush, they were not so good...

I'm just not sure I want to go with a full on winter tire for the few hours of snow driving on the weekends. Thoughts/suggestions?

the new S4 has TPMS standard. When I put new wheels/snow tires on the car is a TPMS monitor required or can I just throw the new setup on?

If you're just swapping tires on the stock rims, then any tire will be fine.

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'll be swapping summer/winter tires in a couple weeks.

Combine that with snow tires from tire rack and it's around $1,200-ish before shipping.

<a href="http://shop.achtuning.com/"><img src="http://shop.achtuning.com/ProductImages/images/product_images_hartmann/T_Hartmann_Audi_S4_114.JPG"></a>

We have a few other 17" and 18" wheels on sale currently as well.

you can install without it, but the warning light stays on continuously.

should I go with, or would folks do the Hartmann repros?<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR4&amp;url=%2Fsnow%2FWinterWheels.jsp%3FsnowS ortCode%3D21055%26amp%3BsortSize%3D17%26amp%3Bwint erType%3DA%26amp%3BRHP%3DN%26amp%3BbeanNumber%3D1% 26amp%3BQty%3D4%26amp%3BstartIndex%3D0%26amp%3Bsea rch%3

they are a little squirmy on hard cornering but they run fine in the few 70-80 degree days we get in the Bay Area that time of year . They are VR speed rated /" XL " load rated . I run them at 42/42 lbs for best handling and wear. The Nokian rubber wears slower than my stock Contis and work perfectly for the twice a month trips I make to my Tahoe place year round . When I put the Contis back on in late May , I'm reminded how loud the OEMs are and how hard they ride !

now seriously considering just swapping out the summer performance tires for a set of the best all seasons I can find. Need suggestions on best brands/types for the B7 that will fit the stock OEM 18" rims. I can't be bothered with switching out wheels/tires - especially since I've used A/S in Philly for years without ever getting stranded. Plus, no intention of tracking the car, so a good performance A/S would be a good compromise. Suggestions please!!