For those who had switched from stock sports package SP8000 tires to all season SP5000. I know the SP 5000 will fare much better in the snow. How do those two tires compare in warm weather dry and wet performance? Do I give up much performance in the warm for going all season? Thanks in advance.

The SP 5000s have decent dry traction, but you will give up a lot in the way of turn in and steering feel. The sidewalls on the 5000's are quite soft and give a floating sensation that can be very disconcerting on slippery surfaces. When I drove up to Mammoth I was not sure whether I was losing traction or the tires were just slow in responding. I would not buy them again. The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's have gotten some good reviews. Stay away from the Pirelli P7000's, they are very loud, mediocre tires with poor snow performance. The Toyo Proxes FZ4's have also gotten some good words from folks here. HTH.

almost like having a pure summer tire.<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/112426.phtml">http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/112426.phtml</a</li></ul>

The Pilots did excel in some areas, but the lap times for the SP5000 were lower than the Pilots. Would not be enough for me to justify the cost of the Pilots (almost 2x as much as the SP5000).

Paul

you would buy the Michelins. They did extemely well in the European Car test a couple of months back and they are expected to last 30-40K miles. Read the article in EC. Also, read the posts on the A6 Forum regarding the problems many people have with the SP5000s and their reports on the PS A/S

they were rec'd over the pilot a\s by someone at tire rack and are less expensive. i was looking for tires for my '98A8

ok, but i think the dunlops are way better than the xgt-z4's I had them on my old car (subie svx) and they were ok but not really good... dunlops are definitely better
alex

First of all, here is a link to my post about how the SP5000s handle in the <a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/967037.phtml">snow</a>.

As far as their dry handling and performance vs. the SP8000s ... you will notice a MAJOR difference in how the car handles around curves. I have never driven the Mich. PS A/Ss, but I do not think even they will behave like a true "summer only" tire like the SP8000. You have to realize that you are making a sacrifice when you buy an all-season tire. The improved traction in the snow makes it worthwhile for me.

I have now purchased a used set of 17" wheels/tires that will be my summer tires and these OEM 16s will keep the all-season tires on for the late fall/winter months.

aside from tireracks... they are much much newer tech than the xgt's....
but at 107/tire (225/50-16) the sp5000's are a no brainer vs the a/s's which twice as much
As an all round performer I'm very pleased with the sp5000's Hard to approach their limits legally.
a