WinterVette

On my '01 S4 I run 18" summers and 17" winters. And I always try to hold off switching back to the summer shoes until after the worst of the winter pot holes have been patched in the spring. I figure the extra sidewall helps protect the rims from getting bent.

That said, I'm leaning towards 18 inch winters when my car arrives around Christmas.

-Mark

Ps. Sorry for the double post - couldn't edit after accidently posting before I was done typing

adbender

anything over 18s will be very unforgiving as far as potholes or other unsavories on the road...

dont go 19s unless you really dont have a winter.

CaymanS4

I'm pleased with my 18s (225/45/18 et32) Pirelli Sottozero 240 and never considered 19s... that would kind of defeat the purpose of winter tires.

trigoe

This is the only thing I'm dreading...

I drive to New York City almost daily... and up until late spring (and with the city economy the way it is-even later than that if ever) the potholes are everywhere.

My car is coming with summer 19's for a december delivery. Yikes. I'm wondering what my best move is going to be:

1. dump the 19's for a set of all season 18's (sell or trade the 19's..)
2. keep the 19 summers and get an additional set of 18's wheels and tires for the winter only
3. just get a set of 19 AS inch tires and sell the summer tires...
4. Or get a set of 19 winter tires and switch the tires off the rims twice a year.

decisions decisions....

rktskicar

2nd. I am running 18s, same amount of sidewall as yours, but 40s.

Bruce

sillyboy

I ran 19" on my RS4 up in CT/Boston, and never had a problem with traction in any depth of snow even in VT and Maine.. Clearance was a problem on a few 12+" days, but the difference between 18 and 19 in will not come in snow depth. THe difference, and my reason for switching to 18 was because I banged up the 19" rims a few times. A couple of medium sized potholes and your rims are toast with less sidewall to protect you.

I ran the michelin Pilot A/S as a winter tire on my B7 S4, and there is night and day difference between the A/S and a dedicated winter performance tire. On icy conditions, or just an inch of snow on a cold day, they sucked. In deeper soft snow they were adequate. You'll get by in the A/S, but if you are astute enough to drive a higher performance car, you'll most likely be disappointed by the performance of an A/S winter tire set up. Not to mention that 30 extra feet of stopping power could mean your life.....


If you are anywhere near the New England, you can have my 19" set up for 250$. They are hartmann 19" RS4 reps with TPMS and 255 Dunlop 3Ds....

adbender

that setup looks great CaymanS4!

i put on dedicated 18s 245/40 Dulop 3Ds on VMR v710s (had them bored out)

CaymanS4

Thanks adbender, your winter setup is awesome, looks better than the 19" stock wheels.