And the combo of quattro and 4 studded snows in 195-65-15 is just flat-out amazing. The rear fog light also comes in handy in whiteout conditions. Now if those two-wheel drive bozos would just pull over!! ;-D<p>Steve

How are those studded snows on dry pavement? Are they noisy?<br>

I'm in Central Oregon, Bend to be exact. 4-5 inches last night. I'm glad I got a new snow shovel, I'll tell you what! I can get up the driveway OK, but my wife's Taurus wagon is another matter entirely.<p>The studs are noisier than the sp8000E's, but you do get used to it. I just turn up the stereo a little louder (Eh? What's that you say?). On flat out bare pavement, they're noisy, and you can hear the studs clawing at the pavement when you stop halfway hard (ouch!).<p>Gotta head out and turn cookies now ;-)<p>Steve