I know this is an age old thing and I've read the archives, but I'm trying to get and understanding. Was wondering how bad are the sport tires in the snow? I live in NJ where the weather isn't always the greatest, should I be considering getting a set? If so what kind. Is the handling really that bad even with the quattro?

Jeremy,<p>The sport tires are summer tires, which Audi should be telling owners. If you'll be in more<br>than flurries, you *really* should consider some winter tires. As the adage goes regarding traction<br>and quattro, 4 x 0 = 2 x 0 . (No traction on 4 wheels is the same as no traction on 2 wheels)<br>Quattro offers great forward traction, which is especially helpful at low speeds, i.e, from a stoplight,<br>but you really need to give it the proper shoes for winter. I got the ultimate humiliation for an A4 driver, being passed by a buick(!) and several other vehicles with all season tires the first time I was caught in 1-2" of snow/ice on the freeway with a light cross wind on the sport tires. The car was just doing that floating across the lanes trick, which gives a horrible feeling on a freeway with other cars around.<p>You still have to be careful in any car, quattro or no, on snow or ice, but winter tires will provide an extra degree of fairly cheap insurance that no one will get harmed (including your new A4). You'll have to adjust your driving style one or two notches down on the aggressiveness scale depending on how you like to take corners, but you'll be a lot safer overall in winter, especially if you regularly venture out on the roads when there's snow. From my experiences with NJ roads and drivers (by far, the worst in the nation), you can use any available driving aid to your advantage.<p>If you're not going to be venturing out in really deep rural snow, you might best consider the Nokian NRW, the Dunlop Winter Sport M2, and the Pirelli Winter 210 or Asimmetrico (non-"ice" versions). Other choices are Michelin Alpin, Goodyear Eagle GW, Vredestein (sp), etc. You may want to check with Gary at Ronal for a nice package price, or with tire rack, who has some ugly hubcaps for you.<p>Good luck and be safe out there..<p>Rich<br>'98 2.8Q sport, Hak 1's, winter # 2<br>

Anyone that drives in the snow with summer tires is crazy and putting others at great risk. Quattro doesn't matter because it only helps you get going, not braking and cornering. I grew up in South Jersey and I know you get a fair amount of snow. If you don't like the way winter tires sound or feel, try an all season tire, such as Michelin Pilot Z4 or Dunlop 4000 AS. I haven't been in the US for 7 years but I know in Germany if you are in an accident driving with summer tires on snow or ice covered roads, you will be in trouble and I heard your insurance doesn't have to pay your claim. I don't know how true it is but why risk your life or others?<p>Dave<br>98.5 2.8QTS

I recomend the Pirelli 210's because they are speed rated and offer very good handling and grip in all conditions. Last year the first snow came before I had a chance to put on the Pirelli's. The Dunlop 8000E is great in the wet and on dry pavement but really sucks in the snow. Its like walking on ice in leather shoes.