JJ-WI

Hi all,

I'm planning to get some steel wheels and Artic Alpins for my 2.8. Looking at the A4/Passat wheel and tire page, I noted that three (at least) sizes work with the 2.8:

205/55-16
215/55-16
225/50-16

I'd like to stick with 16s as I'm hoping that it might help offset some of the dry-road handling issues inherent with winter/ice tires. Does anybody know if any one of these sizes particularly appropriate for winter tires?

Thanks,

John 99.5 2.8QM

DMoore

I'm a firm believer in 15" for winter, but I won't try to convert you.

The 205/55-16 is the same size as the summer (all season, actually) tires, and that's what the speedo is calibrated for. The 215's will throw the speedo off. I'm not sure about the 225's - I think their diameter is pretty similar to the 205/55.

BUT! Snow tires work best in a narrow, high profile tire. You are REALLY defeating the point if you buy a snow tire that's even wider than the stock tires. You'll lose much of the benefit of the snow tires, and you'll still have a tire with squirmy tread on the dry roads.

If you must go 16", stay with the 205's.

DMoore
'98 A4Qtip
'00 S4M (september?)

dB

When my '00 2.8 gets here, I'

dB

(Stupid keyboard!) When my '00 gets here, I'm downsizing to 195/65-15 Hak 1's.

CraigB

I run 205/55/16. No problems in CO mtns.

JJ-WI

that 16s wouldn't improve dry handling. My problem is that where I live we get lots of days during the winter when the temp rises above 32 degrees during the day, then drops down at night freezing all the stuff on the roads (that plus the snowplows here seem to function more like Zambonis!), so I do think I need one of the winter tires that has some sort of ice compound. But I also have to drive to the Twin Cities once a month or so on I90-94, which is almost always dry unless there's a real weather situation. I'd got it in my head somehow that sticking with 16s would give me better dry handling, but if they don't then I guess I'd better drop down to 195/65-15s. Better to do one thing well than two things poorly I suppose. Thanks for your help.

John 99.5 2.8QM