So after lots of reading on this forum, I've decided to get winter tires instead of all-seasons. Winters in Boston aren't terrible in terms of snow/ice depth, but I do have to drive to work before plowing sometimes, so I think better safe than sorry. When these summer and winter tires wear out I might switch to an A/S, but I may as well get maximum performance out of my new car while it's still new.

I'm going to go with 18" tires and get a set of cheapish wheels. I'm just not sure which tire to go with. I've been thinking about the following:

Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero (this is recommended by Tire Rack)
Michelin Pilot Aplin PA3
Dunlop Winter Sport M3

Audi's winter tire package uses the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D, although I dont know what sizing they use, so those are also on the list.

Tire Rack has the Pirellis with 4 wheels for $1396. Audi's winter tire package is more like $2395 or something.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Frank

Addendum: I think Audi uses the Dunlop 3Ds in 19". Im a little wary of that for clearance reasons. Maybe unreasonably so.

I have a winter tire and wheel setup consisting of Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's 245/40R18's mounted on dedicated wheels. I bought this from Tire Rack last November - total cost: $1883. I am a big fan of dedicted winter and summer tires, as opposed to all-seasons, and having dedicated wheels makes it easy to change them yourself when the time comes. I figiure after about 3 years you break even on the cost of mounting/balancing twice a year versus doing it yourself. The Dunlops were excellent - good traction in snow and slop and very cold days, but also reasonably good performance on dry days, even if the temps got up into the 50's or 60's - not sqiurmy at all. Here in Chicago last year we had a lot of snow days, typically 3 - 4 inches. My S5 never had a problem handling it, and I definitely had more traction and steering control than the typical 4WD SUV with all-season tires.

Only have 15 miles on them, but they are definately quiet and ride a bit easier than the OEM tires... i have Drag34 wheels and Yokohama W Drive winter tires, recomended by guys at Discount tire outside Chicago... i also believe in changing summer/winter .. the price seemed pretty reasonable - about $1,800 including lifetime balancing, road warranty, free changes every season (i have used 15 changeovers on my 2002 BMW using same process at Disc tire), new TPMS on each wheel - basically the whole package.

i have been skiing professionaly for 10 years my first audi was a 1998. I used to swap winter and summer tires i stopped about 4 years ago and am happy I did. although its fun in summer to have the ultimate performence tire in spring and fall in the rain it sucks. good all seasons work great in the snow plowed or unplowed all seasons are easier cheaper and 90% of the time when your not on snow dont feel like you have ball-bearings under your wheels.

hard to feel comfortable a 120mph on a snow tire
i do a buck thirty all the way to the mountains in pissing rain and make an easy transition to snow with michalin all seasons

I have a winter tire and wheel setup consisting of Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's 245/40R18's mounted on dedicated wheels.

Did the same in advance of delivery of my car and had them installed day-of-delivery. Huge fan of these tires; especially for the 90% of the time the road isn't icy or snowy :D

Glad to hear the Dunlop Winter Sport 3Ds are making people happy...

I just picked up a set of lightly used 255/35/19 3Ds for less than $400 to put on my OEM wheels. (I have 5 year tire and wheel protection - cosmetic and curbing damage included - which is why I don't mind running my nice wheels in winter)

I guess I'll be able to post my thoughts after this winter!

So after lots of reading on this forum, I've decided to get winter tires instead of all-seasons. Winters in Boston aren't terrible in terms of snow/ice depth, but I do have to drive to work before plowing sometimes, so I think better safe than sorry. When these summer and winter tires wear out I might switch to an A/S, but I may as well get maximum performance out of my new car while it's still new.

I'm going to go with 18" tires and get a set of cheapish wheels. I'm just not sure which tire to go with. I've been thinking about the following:

Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero (this is recommended by Tire Rack)
Michelin Pilot Aplin PA3
Dunlop Winter Sport M3

Audi's winter tire package uses the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D, although I dont know what sizing they use, so those are also on the list.

Tire Rack has the Pirellis with 4 wheels for $1396. Audi's winter tire package is more like $2395 or something.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Frank
nokian, and only nokian.

peter