Definitely recommend winter tyres to anyone. Better performance in temperatures 7 degrees c or lower. Found the S3 with summer tyres pretty darn good in the snow and able to get around fairly easily with a bit of care.
However I then tried a set of winter tyres (Pirelli Sottozero's) after reading a few reviews etc. The difference is VERY noticable in grip and control. I have a pretty steep road near me (over the North downs) and with the summer tyres I was ok until the steepest point when I braved making my own fresh lane to avoid the rear wheel drive spinners and snakers. I got a bit out of my depth and the car would only go sideways not forward. Had to wait for a gap in the lane being kept open with traffic and reverse back into that to get home.
However, after winter tyres, that's no longer an issue. Next year, with the winter tyres fitted, I just cruised up the same hill with roughly the same amount of snow and grip was never lost in about 3-4 inches of the fresh white stuff. Put plenty of big 4x4 SUV types to shame as they watched in envy. Think they should be law in the winter months as they are in lots of other countries.
Don't get me wrong though, if you drive inappropriately to the conditions they still won't stop you kerbing or rear ending someone. They still slide if you brake hard, but they seriously reduce braking distances in cold/wet/snow.
My highest recommendation for any car in the winter months :thumbsup:
