Well, after I had an unfortunate experience with a curb I decided that worn all season tires and ice are still more than a match for quattro. :-(

Once I got the car back I shopped around for a set of snow tires.  Here in the Boston area we rarely have snow on the roads for more than a few days.  I really just needed a set of snow tires for the few storms we have every year.  I've used the Pirelli Winter 210's in the past and
liked them, but was put off by their price.  I decided to try the Hakka based on the good reviews I'd read.

I had a hard time deciding which model of Hakka's to buy, the Q's or the NRW's.  I got a little bad info when I was deciding, the NRW's were described to me as an all season tire, which they're NOT.  The NRW is more in the vein of a "high performance" snow tire, like the Winter
210's.  The Q is an all out snow tire.  Knowing what I do now, I would've gotten the NRW's instead of the Q's, but what can you do?

Anyways, the Q's are *hard core* snow tires.  They have a very aggressive tread pattern with lots of siping.  I have them inflated to 35 psi, but they're still a little floaty on the freeway.  Cornering grip is definately compromised, even over my crappy all seasons.  Don't push it on these tires guys!  They're also very loud.  Lots of tire noise.

However, they totally ROCK in the snow!  I went out driving in our recent storm and was totally in control plowing through 8"+ of unplowed snow.  It was very difficult to get the car unglued.

So, if you live in a place like Vail, or the Dakotas where the roads are  pretty much coated for most of the winter, these tires are for you.  If you live in a city where the plows pretty much clear the roads within a day or two after the storm, I'd go with the NRW's.  Live and learn.  :-)