I just picked up my new 1.8T QM and will be driving it in Chicago; do I really need winter tires, or can I count on the all-season stock tires (Goodyear Eagle GTs) and Quattro to see me through the snow and slush? Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

I'm sure you can live without them but just look at the facts. A good set of snows and rims will cost you about $ 450.00. I usually get 4 winter out of them so that is only $ 112.50 per winter. Now I use them for 4 months that is about $ 28.00 per month. While my snows are on my summer tires are not in use and thus I am saving the wear on them so the cost is less that $ .75 per day!!. For $ .75 a day I get tires that will stop on ice and snow up to 35% quicker. If I do not stop quicker and I hit just one object can you imagine what that would cost?? <br>Your stock tires will go real good but remember a quattro stops much like any other car. Pay the $ .75 per day for some real cheap insurance and go play in the snow.<br>Roy M 2.8q Tip .

The way our winter is shaping up the Midwest so far, <br>I doubt that snow tires are worth the hassle.<br>Hassle? Yes, you have to change them and then find<br>room to store the ones you aren't using. Plus, unless<br>you get some decent (i.e., expensive) rims for the<br>snows, you'll have to put up with a plain set of<br>wheels for 4 months with only a few days where<br>you might need them.<p>I've lived in the Detroit area for 35 years and<br>haven't felt the need for separate snow tires since<br>my first FWD car, and with quattro even less so. That<br>was one of the advantages IMO of getting an A4 vs.<br>a BMW 3-series.<p> Doug G<br> 98 1.8TQM<br>