sparkling wiggles

So, I have a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S and last week I got a flat on the rear driver side tire. I've had these set of tires for 2 1/2 years with a little over 30k miles on them and have some decent tread depth left on the remaining tires. Now, my question is, should I just replace the 2 tires for the rear axle and keep the fronts, or should I replace all 4 given the amount of tread depth I have left?

<a href="http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/pdkwon/?action=view&current=IMG_1010r.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/pdkwon/IMG_1010r.jpg" border="0" alt="tread"></a>

Gary@Tirerack.com

It is too hard to guess with the penny test.

sparkling wiggles

apparently the auto parts stores(went to 2 advanced auto stores, and one autozone store) in baltimore don't carry them. They all told me to use a penny. When I get one i'll post up pics, thanks for replying anyways.

Reggie

and your old ones. or you can have the new tires shaved

sparkling wiggles

okay, so i picked up a tire tread depth gauge yesterday, and took some measurements last night.

When I measured the center rib, I had about 4/32" tread remaining, but when I measured the shoulders I had about 6-7/32" left. (all 3 tires were about the same, as I rotate my tires every 10k)

I over inflated the front tires to help with the car from feeling to loose, but at the cost of pre-mature wear on the tires.

Given this, is it best to get a new set of tires? or could i get away with getting a new tire and shaving it down? The only reason why I'm thinking about shaving a new tire is because my cash flow situation is a little tight right now, but would definitely replace all 4 tires next summer. I drive at most 10k a year on my S6 as its my weekend car.

If I do get a set of new tires, I was thinking of increasing the side wall height to get a more comfortable ride, and was thinking of 255/45/17. but after calculating the tire size, this would increase my tire diameter by 3.85%. would I run the risk of brake failure, or increase the wear on the suspension or differentials at all?

A 245/45/17 would increase the diameter by about 2.5%

I plan on sticking with my stock rim S6 avus rims as well.

Lastly, what tire would you guys recommend? I'm leaning towards the Pilot A/S again, I just prefer Michelin's for some reason, but am considering the GoodYear Eagle F1 A/S, Pirelli PZero Nero's, and Yokohama Adavn S4. The Pirelli PZero Nero's do not come in the stock 255/40/17 size. the closest sizes are 245/45 and 255/45.

I live in Maryland, and don't really drive the car when it snows (or really don't like to drive in the snow, b/c maryland gets a little salt happy) but if I do get caught in a storm I just like to have the assurance that I can make it home with the all seasons.

any input would be appreciated.

Audi Junkie

Cheaper tires makes the most sense. Look at what happened for you in this case, super-expensive tires and one failed leaving the quattro driver screwed.

Someone like you (I think) wants good tires because you have to go out and pound on them year after year. Tires get stiff rubber and dryrot over time, so yeah...quality counts.


The thing is, where did the expensive tire thing get you this time? Quattro is a pita with the 4 tires thing, after 15 Audis, I know as well as anyone.

Generally, if someone drives a lot of miles a year and buys new cheap tires all the time, they can just get a different one if they don't like the last ones.

Not to be snide either, but your car is getting older too, repair costs vs it's overall value WILL come into play eventually and it DOES matter. Would I put Pilot Sports on a 15-year-old Accord???

Unless you are totally flush, get some cheaper tires. There are plenty of good but cheaper ones to choose from. I don't like to drop $500+ a year on a new set, so expensive tires are out, for me. I amactually leaning toward higher mileage tires, maybe Turanza Serenity next time. I've owned most every decent all-seasons tire, and would help you select, but you need to pick a size and budget.

Audi Junkie

If the "keeper" tires are below 4-5/32nds, they aren't keepers anyway.

sparkling wiggles

this is my first audi and I am on my second set, going on to the third set of tires. I drive on average 8k miles a year in this car, and a new set of tires should last me anywhere from 30k to 50k miles of tread life (depending on manufacturers) and should be buying new tires every 4 - 5 years. But with that, like you mentioned, I would have problems with dryrot (extreme eastcoast weather) as the tire ages, even if garaged.

Maintenance is high enough for this car, and tires just add to it, so I may just go with a budget tire this time and just see how they compare with the premium Michelin's. After doing some research, I think I'm gonna go with the Yokohama Advan W4S @ $110 per tire vs $181 per tire for the Pilot Sport a/s.

I don't want to go too cheap of a tire, only b/c of the fact that I consider the S6 to be a premium car, not a honda accord (I do drive a cr-v as my daily though), so I think a premium tire or at least a notch below is in order. Although, the General's did rank pretty well on Tire Racks website, I don't want to go too budget on my S6. TR didn't sell the Turanza tires that you mentioned.

Now I just gotta decide what size... 255/40/17 or 245/45/17? The roads in Maryland aren't too bad, but the roads in Baltimore are pretty bad and was looking to add some cushion with the extra sidewall. do you think 1/3rd of an inch will really provide the extra cushion for the rims?

Audi Junkie

Just ok in snow, which seems fine for your climate, I'm in the Poconos. I have to say they are about the best handling a/s tire which is something you want and Yoko quality is excellent.

Kind of a Michelin--beater, imo, and that's what you are looking for.

fwiw my pet tire now is the Eagle Response Edge. I don't know a lot about the F1 A/S, except they are very good. That's another Michelin-beater, except for the price.

I like taller tires in gerneral, not wider. I thhink it helps the suspension last better on beat roads.

ex-quattro PETE

when it comes to both summer and winter (light snow) driving?