Winter tyres...

[Djwoody]

I know we are in the middle of a heatwave so I'm slighty premature with this post! But here goes anyway, I like to get my plans in place:

I will be looking for some winter tyres for my A3 2.0 TDI 170 3dr. At the moment I have some 19s on with 215/35/19 so plan to store these in the winter.

What size of wheel and tyre should I be looking for?
Recommended tyre?
Would ideally like some cheap nice looking OEM alloys as well, rather than just steel wheels?

Any help would be great.

Chris

 

[Mikemc]

Funny enough I've been having this thought of slowly buying some tyres and putting them on my a3 sport alloys that I have lying around.

I think any major brand will be ok in regard to which tyre, but I've never experienced winter tyres before so will watch this thread

 

[crunchie]

Std 17" wheels with 225/45/17's.
I run Michelin Alpin's on my MK4 golf, brilliant tyre.
Can not recommend any others as that's the only set I've had.
Ideally you may want narrower tyres but that is just sticking to std sizes.

 

[DomH]

If you don't mind going the lowest size you can, might be worth looking for some 16" alloys(they should clear the brakes!), 205/55/16 winter tyres are going to be the cheapest and most common size to come across, plus the big bouncy sidewalls will be ideal

 

[Ross-A3]

I had this idea also Infact just today I bought 4 Dunlop sp winter sports with about 7mm tread all round...16" ones to keep the price low

 

[turbonutz]

Winter tyres are for those that are big wimps

 

[_Zerocool_]

I think winter tyres are a really good idea if they are as good as people say. My s3 was shocking in the snow last winter so I'll definitely be putting some winter tyres on around oct/nov. I don't think i'll be getting another set of alloys though as that's a lot of coin on top of the already expensive tyres. Probably just going to put them on my 18s if you can do that?????

 

[Mikemc]

I think winter tyres are a really good idea if they are as good as people say. My s3 was shocking in the snow last winter so I'll definitely be putting some winter tyres on around oct/nov. I don't think i'll be getting another set of alloys though as that's a lot of coin on top of the already expensive tyres. Probably just going to put them on my 18s if you can do that?????

Or you could buy yourself some shiny new ones and use old for winters, haha. I was going to sell my 17" sport wheels but may aswell just wrap them in winters, saves buying steelies

 

[_Zerocool_]

Or you could buy yourself some shiny new ones and use old for winters, haha. I was going to sell my 17" sport wheels but may aswell just wrap them in winters, saves buying steelies

Yeah I was thinking of doing that but a decent set of 18'' would set me back a grand and that's a holiday!!

 

[Ultra Violent]

I love my Winters, probably not needed if you stay in the city, but I live in the Boondocks so their well handy.
Especially this year when we had about 4 feet off snow, managed to get around when everybody else was stranded.
I'm running Michellin PS3 with my 18" CK's, and my winter set are Goodyear UltraGrip 8's with 18" CH's.
I know 18's aren't the best for winters but it's what I already had, so it's what I used.

I can highly recommend the Goodyear Winters, and because I'm swapping in Summer they'll last for ages.

 

[gilberto]

I swear by winter tyres, had them on my Z4M last winter and couldn't get stuck even in a ft of snow, the winter before on normal tyres i couldn't get out the driveway.

I'll definitely be getting a set for the S3, i think they're well worth it.

 

[Djwoody]

Thanks for all the replies, some good information there.

I've seen these on eBay which I don't think are a bad price considering you are getting brand new alloys as well. What do you think?

Audi 16" Winter Alloy Wheel & Tyre Set - Genuine Audi Parts | eBay

 

[AUDI_ADDICT]

I see it like this..

Over the next 2/3 years I will be buying two sets of tyres, so...if one set are winter, and the other summer.. what difference does that make compared to two sets of summer tyres?? Apart from the outlay for a second set of wheels, and I know winters are a little more expensive compared to their summer versions, but the piece of mind of better grip/traction/significantly shorter stopping distances and the ability to actually get around in the winter without sliding into kerbs/cars/pedestrians causing untold damage.. far outweighs the additional cost. Not to mention you can always sell on the additional wheels if not needed any more. They are no guarantee of avoiding this carnage, because it doesnt give you a permit to drive like a kn*b, but still worth the investment i'd say..

As the car looks like s**t most of the winter, theres no need to go for 18's..17's or 16's are much more affordable and have a decent selection of wheels to fit them to.

Worth a watch..

 

[turbonutz]

uffft might need to get a set cus i dnt wanna break behind some1 whos got them haha!

 

[Mikemc]

uffft might need to get a set cus i dnt wanna break behind some1 whos got them haha!

This! Definitely a thought going through my mind as we approach the the colder seasons

 

[pjr]

I've got those exact style of wheels as my winter set, to replace the standard 17s - the difference in grip compared to the standard Pirelli P Zero Rossos was like night and day - didn't even come close to getting stuck even when driving through 6" deep snow, whereas my regular summer tyres struggled on the slightest incline.

I got mine direct from my local Audi dealer, and they came with Dunlop Wintersport 3D tyres - after using them over 2 winters there is still loads of tread depth left.

Thanks for all the replies, some good information there.

I've seen these on eBay which I don't think are a bad price considering you are getting brand new alloys as well. What do you think?

Audi 16" Winter Alloy Wheel & Tyre Set - Genuine Audi Parts | eBay