Jason

I've been holding off on buying winter tires as the snow fall has been fairly limited here in Quebec, so far. However, some recent snow fall has proven the inadequacy of the 17" performance package tires...

I am thinking to purchase stock 16" Audi 5-spoke rims and mount the winter tires on these.

Not being a tire expert, my question is what size tire do I need in order to maintain the same "overall" size of the 17" performance package tires as to not mess with my odometer/tachometer readings?

Any info on tire dimensions would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Jason

Marius B

... slightly better performance in the dry, but that may give slightly less grip in some adverse conditions.

TT Tom

and it seems perfect for the winter. since the tire is "thicker" by 1 inch in diameter, it matches the overall circumference of the 17 inch setup. I got a set of dunlop wintersport and borbet type c rims for about $1000 from the tirerack. the extra inch of rubber also helps soften the blow on the alloys and suspension in harsh winter road conditions.

- Tom

David Lowe

Hello fellow Canadian,

I have put Pirelli Winter 210 Asymetrico's my TTQ. They are 205/55R16, and I have been happy with them so far. They seem quite (I have never had winter tires before, to know what are loud, other have commented that they are quite as well), and handle pretty well. On regular day to day driving, I don't feel any difference then the 17", but you definitely do on the highway ramps, and other high speed turns. To play it safe I have been reducing my high speed turns by about 10KMs.

There also has not been really any snow here in Toronto, so I have not had a chance to test their Winter 'Grip'. On the only day that I had the car out, when it did snow (really slush), they seemed fine. But I don't think these are the conditions that make them shine. BTW, the Quatro did not kick in at all, expect when I when up my driveway.

Now, most people on the site are going to refer you to TireRack, which is a great place to get information. But I would not order from their. Once you do US$ conversion, shipping, and duties it is much cheaper to purchase at home. (TireRack wants US$121.00 * 1.50 = CND $181.50 + shipping + dutie)/ At least it was for me.

I paid the following:

Tire: $177.45 * 4 = CND $709.80
Steel Wheel: $ 69.95 * 4 = CND $279.80
Valves: $ 2.50 * 4 = CND $ 10.00
-----------
Subtotal: CND $999.60

Plus of course 15% tax. There was no installation/balancing, etc. charges.

BTW. I went with steel wheels (16x7 5x100), and order hub caps from TireRack, because I could not find any nice 16" ones in Toronto. If you find any in Montreal(?), they should cost you about $100.00.

I am curious, have you gotten a price on the Audi 16 wheels? I would not be surprised if they are asking for a stupid amout of money.

Thanks
David

John T

Very little snow in Chicago. Have yet to purchase snow tires. Called Tire Rack this AM. They're out of everything but the Blizzack. A local store (Waukegan Tire) tried to sell me on a Nokian NRW. They claim it's an all weather performance tire. Use it both winter and summer. It's made in Finland. I'm reluctant to spend almost $700. on a tire I've never heard of. I'm so confused and there's so little snow...I might just bag it and take the train to work when it snows. But, I'll really miss driving that car.

David Lowe

Hi John,

A friend of mine who I work with, also with a TTQ, actually got the Nokian NRW (http://www.nokiantires.com/), when I got the Pirerrli 210A. (The only difference between our 'twin' TTs).

He is also happy with his choice. From my research I found the Nokian's to also be really good tires. I have also had then recommend by people who do ice racing. I do have a friend that has Nokian's (Winter tires, but I am not sure what model), that drives on them year round on his bad weather car. He has RX7 for good summer/good weather.

With that being said, I went the Pirerrli's primarily because of this board. I believe they have better 'dry' weather performance, then the Nokian's while the Nokian's have better snow/ice performance.

Since Toronto only gets about 3-4 snow falls a season that would make any driving difference, I went with the tire that gave better dry performance

But if you do go with the Nokian's, you will have an unique tire to go with an unique car.

Thanks,
david

Marius B

Audi's own 16" steel wheels were only marginally above "no-brand" wheels(!)

D-TTrain

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SWingard

For whatever it's worth, the folks on the Quattro mailing list (see www.audifans.com) seem to think that Nokian Hakkapellita-1 is the best snow tire that God put on this earth.

Here in the western suburban Chicago area (where the roads aren't continually snow-covered), I wound up getting a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M2 tires (205/55R16 91H) in November at the Tire Rack. I've found their handling on dry pavement to be pretty good. But www.tirerack.com shows them as "out of stock" now.

Marius B

Yo! White homeboy in the 'hood! Gangsta wheels! :-)