vkassardjian

I always installed winter tires that are thinner and higher than regular tires and have always been extremely satisfied.

Can anyone tell me what the ideal size for winter tires would be, for an Audi A4 Q-2.8 ?

10^6 thanks
Vahe

Clues

You are correct in that a narrower tire will have better traction in the snow. In addition, a taller sidewall gives a little more protection in the even that you slide into a curb. So from that respect, many people do go with a 195/65-15s for winter tires.

However, if snow is only an occassional event in your region, than there is a strong argument to stay with the stock size to maximize traction on dry roads and keep many of the handling charateristics of the car.

The other way to look at it is that owners of S4 choose to go with a 205 winter tire as a minus-1 option and they have more power at the wheels - it's all relative....

Auditude

He might have a hard time stretching that 15" tire over his 16" in wheel.

Clues

Is he a wimp? WD-40 and a little muscle is all that's needed! ;-)

Reggie3

Colorado. Roads are clear most of the winter.

Reggie

98.5 2.8QMS

eaimports

i have the 195x50x15 on my 1.8t and they work fine wrapped around steel wheels

DRG

I'm running 195/65-15 on steel wheels. My reasoning for the size was recommendation by Tire Rack as well as by many others in the forum. There is supposed to be slightly better straight line snow performance from the narrower tire and better lateral traction from the lateral "snowplow" effect from the taller sidewalls. I chose steel wheels for a variety of reasons as well. I didn't want to risk my rims to the local tire shop twice a year as I swapped tires and didn't want to invest in new alloys for only 3 months a year. Plus, I wanted to keep my performance tires on the car as late in the season as possible and then put the snows on myself last minute when I heard word of impending snow, with the option to go back to performance tires as needed if the winter was mild. Separate wheels makes this easy.

I had a great experience with these tires last winter. Combined with Quattro, the tires made me feel like I could tackle anything. I still drove carefully in hazardous conditions, but felt much more secure. Yet, dry performance was still outstanding. The Dunlop Winter Sport M2's are amazing and the downsizing didn't have significant impact on everyday spirited driving. On very aggressive driving, sure, but I could easily bear the compromise for 3 months. On the plus size, the higher sidewall gave a little extra cushion to the ride, which helped out on salt-damaged, pothole-ridden winter roads.

My only dissatisfaction is cosmetics. I have gotten used to the look of steel wheels in the winter. They almost give the car a purposeful, utilitarian appearance as if to advertise that the car is prepared to tackle winter conditions. However, I would like to find a more attractive set of wheel covers. Are there no companies that make wheel covers designed to emulate OEM alloy styles or at least designed to look good on European cars?

DRG

What are your wheel covers like? Do you like them?