Anon

I am considering purchasing an A4 2.8 Quattro to replace my '95 325i (a.k.a, the tail-happy tobaggan machine). I live in Ohio where we occasionally get some snow that is removed after about 1 week, and often get ice that is removed after a few months (or when the two two trucks can make it out of the garage or when someone decides that it would help if they actually buy some salt).

The 325i had traction control, but you wouldn't want to drive it in the snow or rain as the road holding was pitiful.

My question is: Should I get the sport package or not? I'm afraid that getting the sport package will reduce winter driving performance to the point where I would need to get winter tires (a waste in Ohio). However, I like the handling of the BMW in the dry weather, and have heard that the Audi handles just as good as long as you equip it with the Sport package.

Opinions?

AlBoston

Considering your historical car purchases, I would recommend going
with the SportPackage, and flip an extra $400+ dollars for the snow tires
if you feel you'll need them. I have a MY2000 1.8T Avant w/Sport Package, and although
I think the suspension is REALLY tight, I would suspect you would find it 'normal' when compared to your BMW driving experience. Trust me, the Sport Package is WELL worth it !!
Any more questions, just let me know.....

Greg Davis

Get QUATTRO!!! Get sport package and get snow tires for Winter.

Ted K

So, you will *need* to buy (at least one set) either snows or all-seasons. But, if you want BMW-like handling...I'd definitely get the sport package, especially since it's such a bargain. You probably will also really enjoy quattro simply because it also drives the rear wheels (which is where you are coming from), and does not tend to oversteer generally speaking (which you sound like you didn't like about your BMW). Are you short on funds? Get sport suspension, and throw on some all-seasons (of course you'll be wasting those SP8000e's unless you can sell them to someone). Money plentiful these days? Sport+Quattro+15" steel wheels w/ snows for winter.

Homeboy

Here, Here!

a4golf

At www.tirerack.com you can get 4 15" wheels that were removed from a VW Passat for $22/wheel. Thats $88 for all four wheels. The 195-65 winter tires you put on can be bought for about $250-300. Remember, you do not use up the summer tires while you are using your winter tires! Your true cost is just the $88 wheels. Is it worth giving up all the summer time handling fun the sport package gives you for $88? Especially when you are spending $32,000 on your car? The added bonus - safety and true winter driving control during those occasional winter ice or snow storms.

Arch57

I live in central CT and have a 99.5 2.8QMS. We don't usually get much snow but I am going with a set of "performance" winter tires, the Dunlop Winter M2's. Search the archives and read what people say about them. Also Pirelli and Michelin have decent tires that will still give pretty good handling when the roads are clear. I would not drive the SP8000's in the snow even with Quattro.
Also the extra cost is only the steel rims, because you are not using your summer tires.