Heard that A4 Sport package tires suck in winter.<p>Dealer says that go with the std package or go with sport and winter tires.<p>I want sport, but living in Toronto - I'm worried I'll be sliding around, even with quatro drive.<p>Any winter drivers with sport packs?

There's lots of info in the archives on this subject. Here's a brief summary of my experiences:<p>The SP 8000's are not good winter tires but they're very good in the dry and wet. They're also pretty noisy. I took delivery of my car late last December so I decided to try to get through the remainder of the winter without winter tires. The Dunlops were okay, but we wound up having a very mild Spring. Personally, I wouldn't try to get through a whole winter on them, especially a Northeastern winter.<p>This year I changed my strategy. I run the Ronal 17" package for summer and I bought a set of 15" R-26's with Pirelli 210's for winter. I just put on the winter wheels and they do make a difference, although we have not yet had enough snow to really test them. I have the storage space and prefer changing over to winter tires (we do it with all 3 of our cars, although the other two use the original wheels and Yoko Guardex's). If you can't do this a number of folks have sold the SP 8000's and switched to an all season tire with good snow rating. The 8000's are a good tire and a good value, you could probably sell them pretty fast in the classifieds. Good luck,<p>Andy

Andy - I'd appreciate any comments (snow/dry handling) you have on your 210A's. I have the SP8000s, but am not going to try to get through the winter with them, so the 210A's look good.<p><p>Thanks!<p><p>Spud

Andy:<p>I plan to put on 16" 210As and I was wondering where you purchased yours. The best price I have found is Tire Rack although they are back ordered. By the way what size did you put on and was there any particular reason. Thanks.<p>LouisE

Sorry, I posted it to the wrong forum I guess. If you plan to be in any snow at all, I really think it's essential to have snow tires with the Dunlop Z's as summer tires. In my first experience in the snow with them, I almost slid off the highway several times in just a couple of inches of snow, and then was passed by a Buick LeSabre with those nice all season tires they have--the ultimate humiliation for any Quattro driver! Check out my post in the regular forum tonight, 11-4.<p>Happy (winter) trails..<p>Rich<br>'98 2.8 Q sport.

Hi Greg, I too live in Toronto and was wondering about the SP8000 performance in winter. Could you let me know what you decide on getting and what price you ended up paying? I will do the same if I happen to get something first....my email is brara@nortel.ca.<p>Thanks...<br>-Ash 98.75 Silver 1.8TQMS

I've had mine on for a few days now. While I don't have any snow time on them yet, I can comment on wet/dry handling. Compared to the SP8000, they feel softer, even with the same psi (36). They're not as squishy as an "ice" tire, though. I put Yoko Guardex on my wife's Integra and it's no fun on dry pavement; they squirm everywhere. The Pirellis grip well in the wet and dry and I expect it to be a nice compromise between an all-season tire and an ice tire.<p>CraigB

I also live in Canada and recently purchased snows for my not-yet-delivered 1999 1.8T qMS. During visits to several tire stores, I recorded the following prices.<p>Michelin Alpin XM-S $142<br>Dunlop Graspic $130<br>Nokian Hakk 1 $130<br>Pirelli Winter Ice 210 $119<br>Pirelli 210A $153<br>Yokohama Guardex $139<p>I decided to go with the Yokohama Guardex and actually got them for $129 per tire. Currently, they are sitting in my garage but I would rather be safe than sorry.<p>Hope this helps.<p>TGB 1.8T qMS (almost in port)

Thanks for your info....could I ask why you chose the Yokohamas? I'm assuming you're going to use them with your stock rims right?<p>Good luck with your car, you're gonna love it!<p>-Ash 98.75 Silver 1.8TQMS

My Winter 210A's are 195/65/15's. The only place I was able to find that size was from Ronal direct. After I shopped around locally, it became pretty clear that I could order a set of 15 inch tires mounted on nice R-26's for just a little more than 16" winter tires alone. The prices I was getting for most winter tires, including mounting, balancing and tax, were typically well over $600. <p>As far as performance, the Pirelli's are nowhere near as "sloppy" in dry conditions as Blizzaks. They're also noticeably firmer and better feeling than the Guardex's on our other cars. The only downside compared to my 17" summer package is the expected loss of steering feel. I'm sure there are also big tradeoffs at the handling limits but I haven't really tested that yet. Once we start getting some real snow, I'm sure we'll all see some posts regarding winter tire performance in snow and ice.<p>Andy

Hi Ash.<p>I chose the Yokohamas for two reasons:<p>1) I thought that, when only comparing the 'softer' snow tires, all were about the same and I could not really go wrong. (Of course excluding the Blizzaks which I did not even price out)<p>2) I moved away from the Pirelli Asimetricos because we do not have freeways were I live and I only travel on highways periodically in the winter. For that reason, I could justify a a tire with a lower speed rating and maybe better ice/snow traction which is what I will need most of the time.<p>Because of these two points, I went for a softer tire. The dealer I was comfortable with recommended the Yokohamas. (The dealer also sold Graspics, Alpins, and Pirelli Winter Ice and still recommended hte Yokohamas)<p>I actually purchased Audi steel rims through the dealer. They were about $65 (Canadian) each. I thought that was a pretty good deal and my stock rims will be protected. :)<p>I hope this helps!<p>TGB 1999 1.8T qMS (In port in Halifax)