Winter wheels and tyres
- Thread starter Filumo
- Start date
I bought a very similar set a few years back for my 8P A3. They were £800 RRP as I recall, so expect around that sort of price.
The dunlop wintersports are excellent tyres in winter, really good in slush and snow. Not great once it warms up, though that may have been because they were 16" with a 55 profile while my summer tyres were 18 inch with a 40 profile. Wear was good, mine still have around 5mm tread left after 3 winters.
Looks wise I didn't think they were too bad, being OEM alloys they match the car, even if they are a little small. Sadly I'm pretty sure they won;t fit my S3 so they'll have to go. Not sure on what to do for this winter, 17s or 18s for the S3 will be a lot more expensive than the old 16s were. :/
- 8V0073537-8Z8
- 8V0073637-8Z8
Thought this was interesting...
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2014-50-Winter-Tyre-Braking-Overview.htm
"
As usual, there's a huge disparity between the best and the worst winter tyres in the wet braking test, with the winning Pirelli stopping in 35.7 meters and the worst budgets at 52.7 meters, a huge 17 meters, or nearly two double decker busses further. For a predominately wet winter climate like the UK, the wet braking tests are really worth concentrating on.
For comparison purposes, Auto Bild also included an undentified summer tyre in the wet and snow braking tests. The summer tyre matched the bset winter tyre on test, stopping in just 36 metres in the wet, but took a huge 58.2 metres in the snow, 30.3 metres longer than the best winter tyre from 31 mph."
That last bit is why we fit winter tyres... 30 metres longer from just 31 mph. That is some difference!
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2014-50-Winter-Tyre-Braking-Overview.htm
"
As usual, there's a huge disparity between the best and the worst winter tyres in the wet braking test, with the winning Pirelli stopping in 35.7 meters and the worst budgets at 52.7 meters, a huge 17 meters, or nearly two double decker busses further. For a predominately wet winter climate like the UK, the wet braking tests are really worth concentrating on.
For comparison purposes, Auto Bild also included an undentified summer tyre in the wet and snow braking tests. The summer tyre matched the bset winter tyre on test, stopping in just 36 metres in the wet, but took a huge 58.2 metres in the snow, 30.3 metres longer than the best winter tyre from 31 mph."
That last bit is why we fit winter tyres... 30 metres longer from just 31 mph. That is some difference!
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I have found a nice set of 16" rims, they have come off an A3 SE 53 plate. Does anyone know if these will be 5x112 or 5x100 and fit my 8V S-Line?
Thanks Phil
Thanks Phil
The tyre test was good but it is interesting to note that even the top tyres there only come up as a C rating in the wet when you look for them on tyre sales websites
Picked up my Audi winter wheel set this morning. The alloys look great but less than impressed that the Dunlop 3D tyres have a manufacturing date of Week 36 in 2012! Am I being picky or should I demand a newer date than that?
I'd be unhappy about that, but it really depends on how many miles you intend to put on them.
Aren't winter tyres past their best after 5 years?
You could argue for some money off.
Aren't winter tyres past their best after 5 years?
You could argue for some money off.
On my last car I used my winters for a 6th winter, because I did not know any better. Bad idea. The tires had gone away after 5 years. I replaced the tires during the winter, so it was easy to compare the new tires to the old time worn tires. There was a significant difference. The tire retailer told me that the tires last as long as the warranty. My warranty was good for 5 years. I get lots of opportunity to drive in the snow because I live in Canada and it is not a question of "if" we get snow , but when and how much.
My tyre retailer told me that I only needed to fit 2 tyres! I think I may have given him 'a look'. When I went back again he told me that I really needed to fit 4 tyres. Which is good, because that is what I had already ordered!
Advice from a salesman is not advice.
There are 2 depth markers on winter tyres. The legal minimum 1.6mm and also a marker which looks like 4mm to me. In several countries it is illegal to drive during the winter with tyres below 3mm and in some 4mm. But, what do they know! (...despite the fact they get real winter conditions.)
There are winter and summer wear bars on snow tyres - don't bother using them in snow if below the higher of the two!
Update on my Audi winter wheels and tyres saga. I phoned Dunlop and they say that tyres are fine (and therefore can be sold) for 3 years or more as it all depends on how they've been stored. He said that if badly stored 6 month-old tyres could be a problem! But I was reassured as he said that their tyres are guaranteed for 5 years from date of sale.
So since I've bought them the temperatures are at record levels for October and nowhere near the 7 degrees point when I'll change to them.
So since I've bought them the temperatures are at record levels for October and nowhere near the 7 degrees point when I'll change to them.
Hi - just wondered where quoted you the £1250. Looking at these or the new 18" option.
Thanks
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SP-Winter-Sport-3D.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Dunlop-Winter-Sport-4D-launched.htm
"Building on proven success
The latest Dunlop is designed to raise the bar still higher, as its predecessor (SP WinterSport 3D) was a prolific winner of recommendations in international independent tyre tests organised by the world’s motoring press. For example, as recently as last year, the SP WinterSport 3D reinforced its reputation with accolades in the ADAC Motorwelt/ÖAMTC, AutoBild Sportscars, Stiftung Warentest and AutoBild Allrad comparison tyre tests."
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Dunlop-Winter-Sport-4D-launched.htm
"Building on proven success
The latest Dunlop is designed to raise the bar still higher, as its predecessor (SP WinterSport 3D) was a prolific winner of recommendations in international independent tyre tests organised by the world’s motoring press. For example, as recently as last year, the SP WinterSport 3D reinforced its reputation with accolades in the ADAC Motorwelt/ÖAMTC, AutoBild Sportscars, Stiftung Warentest and AutoBild Allrad comparison tyre tests."
From an earlier link, it looks like the higher profile tyres on 16s had better wet grip and fuel ratings than the 17s (with same equivalent rolling circumference).
Just bought nokian wr a3 £400 delivered and will fit to stock rims - prolly bung on some 5mm spacers at the same time!
Been looking at these and some Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes. If you don't mind me asking where did you get them for £400? Best price I've found so far is £120 each. (for an S3)
Surely it's too hot for winter tyres with nightime temperatures averaging out at 15c. I thought they are for 7c and below, won't they be overheating?
They work fine in these temps, I used mine in weather up to 20C without any issues. They wear a bit quicker and aren't as nice to drive on a summer tyre when it's warm but they're perfectly safe.
I'm sceptical that they would perform better, as advertised, as I would have thought they would overheat if driven the same as summer versions. But, having never used them, and not being an expert, who am I to say
Still deliberating on which to go for... Was going to get Dunlop 3Ds as these were OE fit on the 8V but they went out of stock so possibly 4D, which should be even better and only a few quid more each... All the other main brand tyres are 20-30 pounds more... The 4D seems to perform quite well, especially in the wet, which quite frankly is more relevant in UK...
My A3 has had a set of Nokian WR D3s fitted this morning.
205/55 R16 91H all round.
Cost = £380.
I'll give some feedback on them in the next few days, although it's certainly not winter or even autumn weather at the moment.
205/55 R16 91H all round.
Cost = £380.
I'll give some feedback on them in the next few days, although it's certainly not winter or even autumn weather at the moment.
Blackcircle had the 3d dunlops for £86 fitted. 205/55/16 h. I have had them on the previous golf. Sold them as needed bigger for the last 8p and have now them on the 8v with no problems. Tyre ware is good and grip far improved over the 18's
Anyone used the Conti Sport contact 5s that come standard in the winter?
The sandard wheels are my winter wheels and really don't want to buy new tyres if I can help it.
I'm not expecting miracles from them as I don't even rate them in the dry that much but will I get by without dying ha?
The sandard wheels are my winter wheels and really don't want to buy new tyres if I can help it.
I'm not expecting miracles from them as I don't even rate them in the dry that much but will I get by without dying ha?
I had my first drive with the Nokian WR D3 today in size 205/55 R16 91H.
First thing I noticed was how quiet they are on rougher road surfaces compared to the previous tyres I've used on the A3. Both the 16" Dunlop SportMaxx RT and 17" Pirelli Cinturato P7 are significantly louder on rough roads. It goes to show you can't trust the EU dB rating for road noise in the cabin:
Nokians 72 dB
Dunlops 67dB
Pirelli 71dB
The less said about the grip the better. It was 16c, dry and the tyres had only 50 miles on them and I can report that their grip limit was breached very easily! I'll report back after I've got a lot more miles on them.
Ride quality is not noticeably different to the Dunlops. The Audi recommended tyre pressure are higher for the winter tyres in this size ie. 35/32 rather than than 32/29.
In normal driving, there was no way to detect that these were winter tyres.
First thing I noticed was how quiet they are on rougher road surfaces compared to the previous tyres I've used on the A3. Both the 16" Dunlop SportMaxx RT and 17" Pirelli Cinturato P7 are significantly louder on rough roads. It goes to show you can't trust the EU dB rating for road noise in the cabin:
Nokians 72 dB
Dunlops 67dB
Pirelli 71dB
The less said about the grip the better. It was 16c, dry and the tyres had only 50 miles on them and I can report that their grip limit was breached very easily! I'll report back after I've got a lot more miles on them.
Ride quality is not noticeably different to the Dunlops. The Audi recommended tyre pressure are higher for the winter tyres in this size ie. 35/32 rather than than 32/29.
In normal driving, there was no way to detect that these were winter tyres.
[QUOTE="leosayer1, post: 2299895, member: 85539]
The less said about the grip the better. It was 16c, dry and the tyres had only 50 miles on them...[/QUOTE]
... so the tyres are not scrubbed in yet. I think it is recommended to take it easy on any tyres for the first 100 miles. Especially necessary when the conditions are poor.
The less said about the grip the better. It was 16c, dry and the tyres had only 50 miles on them...[/QUOTE]
... so the tyres are not scrubbed in yet. I think it is recommended to take it easy on any tyres for the first 100 miles. Especially necessary when the conditions are poor.
Just ordered a set of Dunlop 3Ds for my 184 quattro. I had Conti TS850s on my last car (Golf V6 4motion) and was going to get the same for the 8V but I discovered that the 3D is a factory fit on 8V so, if it's good enough for Audi...
snakehips
Registered User
Nuts! Supplier just come back to say the 3Ds now unavailable!.. Pirelli SottoZeros are the OE fit now now then?.. Try again...
On the subject of snow chains as I am considering a set for a trip to the Alps in January...I have an S3 with the 18" twin spoke star wheels.
The manual suggests you can only use snow chains on the winter wheels (alloy = 6jx17, 48mm offset, 205/50 tyres). Is this correct? Has anyone successfully used snow chains on their A3/S3? Does anyone know what the 'technical reasons' the manual refers to are?
The snow chains at the top of my list are the Thule K-Summit, if anyone is interested!
The manual suggests you can only use snow chains on the winter wheels (alloy = 6jx17, 48mm offset, 205/50 tyres). Is this correct? Has anyone successfully used snow chains on their A3/S3? Does anyone know what the 'technical reasons' the manual refers to are?
The snow chains at the top of my list are the Thule K-Summit, if anyone is interested!
