Time to Show off Your Winters
12-16-2011, 05:18 PM
#1
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Time to Show off Your Winters
I think it's safe to assume that those of us relying on a dedicated winter wheel and tire package have probably mounted them by now. So here's your opportunity to show us what ya got, and maybe help our Q5 brethren who are still on the fence about what to get, or are planning ahead to next winter. Post your pics, wheel and tire specs, reviews, and any other details you care to share.
For the next few months my wife's Q5 will be sporting 18" x 8" TSW Vortex wheels outfitted with 235/60/18 Nokian Hakkapellitta R SUV rubber. The simple 5-spoke wheel design is a little bland, but it makes washing them fast and easy. As an added plus, the inner wheel is painted dark, which works well to hide any brake dust I happen to miss when attempting to clean them in near freezing temps. My wife didn't like the TSW logo'd center cap, so I ordered cheap Audi decals on ebay to cover them.
My wife and I have both had an opportunity to drive the car in the snow, and we have been equally impressed by the overall performance of the Hakkas. One thing I did notice is that the Q5 tends to plow big time in sharper turns in a few inches of snow. That's probably more me than the tires, as I'm used to tossing my Subaru around in the white stuff (even making use of the handbrake to keep the car turning properly
). Nokian claims the SUV R's offer very low rolling resistance. Although I was skeptical, I can happily report that the Q5's fuel mileage has not fallen off with the new tires. (Unlike my Subaru which tends to lose 2 or 3 MPG on its Blizzak WS70's. In fairness to Bridgestone, some of that difference can likely be attributed to the winter fuel formulas here in Michigan.) My wife claims she cannot notice a difference in ride, although she has complained of a noticeable increase in tire noise at highway speeds. That's a little disappointing, but I have yet to find a winter tire that isn't at least a little noisier than it's all-season or summer counterpart. Overall, we are happy with our choices. Now lets see what mother nature and Lake Michigan can cook up to challenge them.
Interesting factoids: The Nokians were manufactured in Russia, while our "European" TSW wheels were manufactured in China
For the next few months my wife's Q5 will be sporting 18" x 8" TSW Vortex wheels outfitted with 235/60/18 Nokian Hakkapellitta R SUV rubber. The simple 5-spoke wheel design is a little bland, but it makes washing them fast and easy. As an added plus, the inner wheel is painted dark, which works well to hide any brake dust I happen to miss when attempting to clean them in near freezing temps. My wife didn't like the TSW logo'd center cap, so I ordered cheap Audi decals on ebay to cover them.
My wife and I have both had an opportunity to drive the car in the snow, and we have been equally impressed by the overall performance of the Hakkas. One thing I did notice is that the Q5 tends to plow big time in sharper turns in a few inches of snow. That's probably more me than the tires, as I'm used to tossing my Subaru around in the white stuff (even making use of the handbrake to keep the car turning properly
). Nokian claims the SUV R's offer very low rolling resistance. Although I was skeptical, I can happily report that the Q5's fuel mileage has not fallen off with the new tires. (Unlike my Subaru which tends to lose 2 or 3 MPG on its Blizzak WS70's. In fairness to Bridgestone, some of that difference can likely be attributed to the winter fuel formulas here in Michigan.) My wife claims she cannot notice a difference in ride, although she has complained of a noticeable increase in tire noise at highway speeds. That's a little disappointing, but I have yet to find a winter tire that isn't at least a little noisier than it's all-season or summer counterpart. Overall, we are happy with our choices. Now lets see what mother nature and Lake Michigan can cook up to challenge them.Interesting factoids: The Nokians were manufactured in Russia, while our "European" TSW wheels were manufactured in China
Last edited by HotRodW; 12-20-2011 at 03:35 PM.
12-16-2011, 05:47 PM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Blizzak DM-V1 235/55-19 on Hartmann TT-RS Reps from Achtuning. The factory centers are interchangeable as are the lug bolts. Good looking, lightweight, strong, and cheap. Very difficult to beat.
Last edited by ELEVENS; 12-16-2011 at 05:51 PM.
12-20-2011, 10:22 AM
#4
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
12-20-2011, 10:25 AM
#5
AudiWorld Super User
So much for a white Christmas :(
Still no snow here, none in sight. Snow tires/wheels are resting in basement...
12-20-2011, 10:54 AM
#6
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No pics yet, but my wife's '11 3.2 S-Line is running Hartmann HRS6's (from ACH Tuning) with Nokian WRG2 SUV's in 235/60/18. She loves the wheels because they match the 20's. This will be her second winter with this set-up.
Here's a pic from Hartmann's web site in 19":
Here's a pic from Hartmann's web site in 19":
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12-20-2011, 04:08 PM
#8
AudiWorld Member
2011 3.2 Premium Sline (Canada)
Wheels are MSW Type 14 silver painted and the tires are Michelin Latitude Alpin 235/60R18 H rated tires. I drove through a severe blizzard last year coming from Mont Tremblant Quebec to Ottawa and the vehicle was incredibly stable at highway speeds. The Michelins are great tires even on icy roads. Very pleased with my Tire Rack purchase.
12-20-2011, 04:12 PM
#9
AudiWorld Member
Wheels are MSW Type 14 silver painted and the tires are Michelin Latitude Alpin 235/60R18 H rated tires. I drove through a severe blizzard last year coming from Mont Tremblant Quebec to Ottawa and the vehicle was incredibly stable at highway speeds. The Michelins are great tires even on icy roads. Very pleased with my Tire Rack purchase.
