Milan TDI

Next month I want to put on winter tyres for the ar. Who has experiences with winter tyres in stock wheel size? I don't want to buy 16' wheels, and other sizes are not allowed in Italy because not printed on car registration. Changing this takes a long process through Italian authorities.

Also I would like to understand if it is better to go for 4x4 winter tyres (e.g. Conti 4x4, Pirelli Scorpion, Michelin 4x4 Alpin) or "normal" winter tyres (Conti 790, Pirelli Winter Snow Sport, Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2/M3, Michelin Pilot Alpin)

Not all winter tyres are available in the not very common 225/55 R17 size.

Anyone used snow chains with this wheel size? Cannot immagine using them on ar with winter tyres, but sometimes they are mandatory ...

mowog

Where I live it is mostly dry with periodic snow and ice. The pilot alpins are great dry and wet and are H rated. Last winter we had more snow than normal and the the tires were very satisfactory. The quatro and pilot alpins were unstoppable. The only limit was snow height as they were on my TT. If I had snow and ice on the ground every day I might pick a more aggresive snow.

Milan TDI

In this area (Milan) temperature does not go often below 0 °C, autumn and winter can be quite rainy, snow is more exceptional. But mountains (Alps) are nearby and I go there quite often (weekend), so I also need good snow traction.
Very low temperatures <-20°C such as in Scandinavian countries can be excluded.

On my previous car BMW 320i I had V-rated Conti TS790's, but H-rated is ok as well and probably has better snow qualities?

gragravar

on my wife's BMW - running even lower profile 17's. I was planning on buying a set for the allroad this winter as well.

Mark SAS

I use pirelli scorpion 225/55 R17 H. They may not be the best performance tyre in the world but work well in the wet and very good in heavy snow. You will notice a little lose of performance at speed through the corners on a dry day. Added bonus, they are the cheapest tyre around in 225/55/17 and last between 20-25k miles.

All Italian

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/41143/dsc03955.jpg"></center><p>I have them on both the AR and Eurovan since I do a lot of winter driving to go skiing. Made by the Fins who live in the snow most of the time. Are easier to get in Europe than the US. They have stock size for the AR. Look at there H2's with or without studs. Winter tires will help you turn better and stop faster even on a all wheel drive car. Good equipment is everything!
Ciao<ul><li><a href="http://www.nokian.com/">http://www.nokian.com/</a</li></ul>

All Italian

<ul><li><a href="http://www.meadowcreektire.com/">http://www.meadowcreektire.com/</a</li></ul>

Peotter

Pacific NW here, plenty of deep mountain snow, ice and all around sucky conditions. The tires work wonderfully. Great in the rain too...

Milan TDI

Thanks so far! Anyone has Conti4x4WinterContact ?

ar2002

My understanding is that snow chains will not fit the stock 222-55-17 tyre. They fit 16" tyres only