LOT

I noticed there are a number of people running all-season tires on 17 wheels (sport pkg), is it ok? would the side wall be too hard for winter drviing?
I saw on Bryce's info, he even has 18s A/S. so I presume he doesn't use snow tires?

Supposingly, the softer the side wall, the thinner the tire, the better the grip is in snow? I am not yet an owner, but planning which wheels to get (from dealer, that is: 16s or sport pkg) ... and I am kinda budget-limited, so, trying to find a 'best' way out.

and btw, the Pilot Sport A/S good? judging from the TireRack site, Bridgestone RE950 ratings are close to the A/S but a lot cheaper...

thanks

Kim @ MotorKlasse.com

Previously I have own P7000SS and SP5000..Pilot is way better in every aspect. dry, wet, snow, ride, noise..

Dry traction is almost good as summer tires and it performed very well in snow too.
I live where i get 10+in of snow in winter and gets 100F in summer and I do little autoX too.

This tire do its job very well...

P7000SS sucks reallly bad tire..espically tire noise was really loud.

SP5000 is excellent tire for money but still it doesnt match Pilot A/S

You get what you pay for..

I dont know much about Bridgestone RE950 since I havnt own it but I bet you can find some review using search function.

Singletrack

17s year round, or even 18s. The roads around me get really nasty potholes from the plows though, hence the 17s. I actually ran 16s last winter, but I'll be running some cheaper 17s with snow tires this year, or at least that's the plan. I think the 18s would bend from some of the hits they would take.

-st

Audi Junkie

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/27563/amuleta4f.jpg"></center><p>
If you're getting a 1.8t, you can run 15" snows, VERY easy to come by wheels, I got a good set for $140 this week. 15" snows are dirt cheap and work best.(Artic Alphin) It will suck in the dry though. I am lucky, I have a extra car w/snows I drive ONLY when road is snow-covered. 15" a/s tires will do the trick depends where you live. My stock 15" P6s were GREAT in snow. Compared to snows, the a/s harder compound will last, especially if you only keep them on for 3-4 months, better in the dry also.

It seems like you are drawn to the bigger wheels, just get stocks w/all-seasons to be safe and in-budget, later on get custom wheels w/Summer tires one size bigger than your stocks.(whatever that is) I am not worrying at all about snows. I have 2 sets of all-season 16s. One smoker set for April-Jan and a prisine set of a/s for Winter. I treat them like snows, take them off at the end of Winter asap, and they eventually become my Summer set after serving a few Winters. Summer heat wears any tire fast.(another debate brewing) Very economical and you always have good Winter tires and Summer set you can beat on. The best of all Worlds. BTW, I'm getting a new set of 215/55-16 Dunlop A2s in Fall. SP5000s are best but none in our 16 size, in 17s I would definately get them. (again-had 3 sets already)

LOT

get the 16" and get a set of better all-seasons. cuz I live in an apartment, and not too much storage in the locker room, so might just get new tires every 2 yrs or something.

LOT

I guess I will go with the A/S! ... hope someone will buy brand new 16" oem tires!