I just put on 15" Nokian NRW's for the winter. We just got a heavy dump of snow today (+20 cm) and I must follow in line by saying what am incredible difference in traction over the sport Dunlop's! I've driven in snow for many years without dedicated snows or owning a quattro. I've been smirking all week because I am absolutely tickled with how my 1.8TQ performs in the snow. If you get snow where you are and you are tossing about buy snows, go get 'im! I would say in a non-measureable way it is probably better for your car too, as the 15" wheels provide a softer supple ride over ruff winter roads (not to mention your car suspension is somewhat stiffer in winter do to the cold). The NRW's are also H rated so my theory is that by running this tire slightly into fall and spring it shouldn't drastically affect tire wear. The NRW's seemed to be the right choice for me, but I believe that there is a lot of great choices out there right now for winter grips.<br>Brent<br>

Brent, I've only had them for a coupla days. I live in CT where you rarely have unplowed roads. I'm hoping to get decent snow ability without losing too much dry performance like I might with the Hakka 1. I paid $136(205/55/16) apiece installed;thought it was alittle high,but figured what the hell,I'll give 'em a try. The shop where I had them done showed me the tread pattern by taking me out to the owner's of the shops cars. They say they use them year round. Me, I already miss my SP8000,so I'll drag my tires out of the basement in the spring<p>Bill Shaffer

Where do you live and what shop did you buy the tires from? That same shop did the mounting and balancing, right? Did you put them on the 7-spoke sport rims?<p>JT 99' 1.8Tqms

JT,<br>I live in southern CT and had Hak 1's put on last month at TBS (Tire Buying Service) in Elmsford, NY (about 20 minutes from Stamford across rt287). I've been going there for years with much success (Hak 1's - 205/55/16 were $136 installed on OEM 7-spokers.<p>Good luck,<br>Chris L. 98 1.8TQS