In late March, I put together an order for a new A4 based on what was at the time the "probable" order guide. There was no prestige "option group" even offered then.

My order was given a "commission number" in April which was the real indication that the order was in the system.

I am now looking at a Thanksgiving delivery -- or perhaps a week earlier.

Now, the hold up, as we all know, (now) is that I ordered the thing with the 19" Sport Package, which -- due to the wheel availability -- is the hold up.

OK, so I can buck up and take the delay -- from a time standpoint -- I still have a very nice 2005 A6 and I am in no pain.

Yet, from a weather standpoint, I am taking delivery -- in OHIO -- in mid to late November of a car with SUMMER ONLY tires (which I would NOT have ordered if given the choice.) So, I get the car and within a couple of weeks (if history is any indication), the temps (not the slickness of the highway) will drop to "summer only tires" danger zone, so I will be ordering perhaps $1,000 worth of all-season ultra high performance tires (which, in SW Ohio work well as we have very little snow and ice, typically.)

Perhaps a little wheel scuffing will result and perhaps it won't -- but why is it that we Americans who live in moderate winter climates cannot order the "lazy" tires -- not that UHP A/S tires are slouches -- that are clearly offered on the smaller wheel sizes?

Let me check off what I want -- I mean, c'mon, you make me wait nearly 7 months and I can't even get what I want?!?

Now, there will be the summer and winter only tire folks -- and I used to be one of them (and I grew up in an era of rear wheel drive only cars that HAD to have "snow tires" just to pull away from the curb); but, these days what with some climate change, well, I see little incremental value in dedicated rubber. The all season category is a compromise, I know, but I do not see the merit in that little bit of improvement I can recall in dedicated, purpose-built and seasonal tires. UHP A/S's from Goodyear and Michelin and others have come a long way.

Maybe I'll just ask them to order up a 2010 for early delivery and wait some more.

Naaaaaah -- I'm over that idea.

I understand your point that Audi should let you pick and choose better, but they don't. If the dealer knew you were even jokingly contemplating waiting until 2010 because of their poor tire selection I would think he would get you your preferred tire ASAP.

On a separate note. Sorry you're still stuck waiting. Is the mid-November date confirmed, or is it still just their best guess?

I am in the same boat (south-central PA) and feel your pain.
The avant will by primarily my wife's car, and she thinks Quattro will be the end-all cure-all for bad weather, so she doesn't want to go swapping rims twice a year.
I already have two cars I have to do that dance with. Where am I suppose to put all these wheels? <grin>
That's the benefit of all wheel drive right? (her philosophy, not mine)


So it looks like a set of Eagle F1 A/S or Michelin Pilot Sport A/S here as well. Might even try Pirelli Nero A/S

Regarding the wait: Hey, it's already October. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it!
I'm sure it will be worth the wait. It makes it that much sweeter, no?
Cheers!

which kind of suck from past experience. Most people find road noise issues after break-in and poor traction and slippage in wet/winter conditions even for an all season.

I have no plan to replace the stock tires before they wear out unless I almost crash this winter. But someone that cares more certainly would.

My point is even with the Prestige option, you might not be satisfied with the tire Audi includes.

Mark

I think you must be the guy with the most patience on the forum. Audi should give you a medal. I am waiting also, but not near as long as you. Placed my order July 2 and my car is scheduled to be released to the car carrier today. I am expecting delivery next week. I too do not know what tire will be on my Prestige 3.2 A4 but most likely it will not be what I really want. I hope it works ok.
You will truly enjoy the B8 when it arrives.

These are GREAT TIRES for about 18,000 miles, then they are so noisy, you just cannot bear them.

I have had other brands of A/S tires that will happily go 30,000 miles. When I get UHP or Grand Touring, I do expect OVER 25,000 miles of trouble free and silent driving.

Sadly the Nero A/S does not deliver.

. . .which seems both understandable (they are used tires even if they have 1 mile on them) and outrageous.

Why not allow a tire choice is the point -- there are computer systems and JIT inventory systems that have been in place for decades that permit this kind of mass customization.

The take it or leave it approach is, today, approaching unacceptable.

I'll do the same as you though and wear them out. If the snow performance really sucks, I may change sooner.

I understand your frustration (I ordered in April and should be getting it next month as well) but I know you'll love the car when it finally arrives and all this trivial stuff will soon be forgotten.

Check out the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Seasons at TireRack.com if you don't already have a preference. They're $209 each in the size you need.<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&amp;tireModel=Eagle+F1+All +Season&amp;vehicleSearch=false&amp;partnum=535YR9F1ASXL&amp;f romCompare1=yes&amp;place=0">Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season 255/35/19</a></li></ul>

That's a shame. My Neros were still quiet at ~32,000 miles when I got sidewall bubbles on the two left tires from a massive pothole. The remaining two probably could have gone to 40k based on the tread wear. Most of those were highway miles.

Was just reading up on Tirerack.com and other sites via Google. There seems to be a general hatred people have for the P6 Four Seasons. Any chance that the ones on the B8 have been improved since a lot of reviews seem to be for MY07 or earlier cars with 20k miles on them. I'm hoping they fixed some the issues...main one seems to be sidewall bubbles.

Still somewhat higher rated the Goodyear LS that some are getting with their '09 A4s.

I've never gotten really good tires from an automaker on a new car. Just burn through them and get good ones next set.

The reviews you read on TR about the bubbles are on older tires. Changes to the tire have solved that problem.
Audi puts a premium on the wet/dry handling characteristics of the vehicle. They only put Pirelli on their cars after extensive vehicle dynamics evaluation.

"extensive vehicle dynamics evaluation". While I'm sure that played a role, there are clearly better rated and performing all season tires out there. I would hazard a guess that business reasons play a majority role in Audi's tire selection, i.e. cost.