Winter here in San Francisco usually just means a lot of rain. I do, however go up to Tahoe for skiing 5-6 times per winter.<p>I've got the Dunlop sp8000E from the Sport Package. I've driven them in the rain and thought they performed well. Didn't "test the limits" of course, just to be safe.<p>I'm thinking that getting snow tires or even all seasons could be overkill for the lack of snow I'll see 90% of the time, so am thinking of just getting some chains/cables to have on my ski weekends.<p>Bad idea?

I lived in SF for the last six years and drove to tahoe just about every weekend fom December to April during theat period. I highly recommend that you get a seperate set of wheels with snow tires/ winter spec.'d all seasons for the following reasons.<p>1) chains are a pain in the tail (you should have a good set of cables with you just in case you get stuck or the cops don't belive you have 4wd when they close 80 to everyone but 4wd's and chains)<br>2) chains and cables tend to scar the wheels beyond repair<br>3) chains and cables actually inflict damage to the tires - terrible scarring - I attribuite two blow-outs that I had on my way home from Squaw to the damage caused buy the chains to the tires<br>4) when a chain breaks while you are transitioning from ice/snow covered roads to standard, sand deluged pavement, those things whip around inflicting damage to you wheel well. this happens all the time when you are crossing over the pass.<br>5) When your on 80 and you get hit with the chain control in either direction...and it's in between raining and snowing, and it's dirty and crappy outside, you won't have to bring all that yuck back into your car with you after you kneeled on the asphalt to put on the chains... and that's if you are good at it. Forget about it if you have not put chains on many times before. <p>i hope that this helps.

I can't believe you're even considering chains as <br>an option. of course, they are cheaper than a new<br>set of tires, but you've got AWD (i assume)!!! you<br>gotta use it. this is what this car is so great<br>at. (worthless argument if you have FWD)<p>i live in so. calif. and travel to mammoth lots.<br>i've chosen the Pirelli P7000SS which is legal<br>for snow driving (R2 road conditions), because<br>these have the M+S rating and appear to have high<br>performance on the dry and wet pavement.<p>check 'em out <p>http://www.tirerack.com/tires/pirelli/pi_p7000.htm<p>btw, chrisd's analysis about chains is disturbing.<br>while i don't doubt anything he says, it's just<br>the thought of chains when you have an AWD car.<br>just say no to chains.<br>

In a related question, I'm planning to buy a new A4 this week, with the sports package. The package has some kind of high-performance tire, unlike the stock mud&snow. I have gotten conflicting advice from dealers on whether these sport tires can be safely driven in the snow. I live in SF and go to Tahoe about 8x per year. Any advice? Thanks

Do not use the Z rated tires in snow, ice or slush. Anyone who tells you different has not had the experience of driving Z rated tires under snow conditions. Purchase a set of winter tires.<p>LouisE