All season tyres?
- Thread starter Hal Adams
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After OEM, it's always been MPSS all year round on all 3 of my RS3's and even when upgraded to stage 1 (eventually on all), I never looked back or questioned their grip, noise, wear, tyre quality, handling, conditions, etc - Infact I only considered where I could get them cheapest as I considered them the best and cost wise I was always about £600 per set of 4, give or take £50, but at the same time I never really pushed her beyond 75% in the wet to test them otherwise....but with circa 400bhp standard or modded why would you risk the temptation on a £40-50k car.
The reason I chose those tyres was the same reason I chose the RS3 back in 2012, and that was after owning 2 X modded S3's which was simply life changing, then after lots of testing, trials and reviews, nothing ticked "my" boxes better for my needs so I guess that's why I'm still loving her as if it was our ruby
The reason I chose those tyres was the same reason I chose the RS3 back in 2012, and that was after owning 2 X modded S3's which was simply life changing, then after lots of testing, trials and reviews, nothing ticked "my" boxes better for my needs so I guess that's why I'm still loving her as if it was our ruby
monkeyboy_marcus
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Can't answer your questions but will be interested to hear the responses.
Recently upgraded to 2016 RS3 from 2012 RS3 and will be debating this sort of question shortly.
In the previous car (after the OEM contis) it was Michelin SS summer and Michelin PA4 winter. You could really tell when it was time for the change from winter to summer rubber (temperature, loss of traction), although less so the other way around.
Incidentally, I've got a set of A4 tyres suited for the 8P RS3 (225/35/19 rear and 235/35/19 front) in the classified section...
Recently upgraded to 2016 RS3 from 2012 RS3 and will be debating this sort of question shortly.
In the previous car (after the OEM contis) it was Michelin SS summer and Michelin PA4 winter. You could really tell when it was time for the change from winter to summer rubber (temperature, loss of traction), although less so the other way around.
Incidentally, I've got a set of A4 tyres suited for the 8P RS3 (225/35/19 rear and 235/35/19 front) in the classified section...
With respect, Hal; why would you; the idea surely defeats the object of having an RS3.
I've a spare set of rims with MPSS summer/warm weather use and another set of rims with Vredestein Wintrac Xtreams for winter/cold weather use (similar arrangement for our TT roadster and twin-charge A1).
My own advice would be not to cut corners; get a spare set of rims with appropriate tyres and sell on whichever when you sell on the car; it's what I do; just sayin'....
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Thanks - excellent advice. Where I am in the south of France, we do not really need winter tyres apart from the odd week, and there are no regulations concerning them, so like Elton I would use Super Sports all year round as I do with my Mercedes, however I quite often go into central Europe where there are regulations regarding use of winter tyres. With an 80€ penalty for non compliance and the reduction to third party on insurance. In years past I have always used 'M+S' marked all season tyres on my Audi 8P that satisfy the rules. In particular I used Vredestein Quatracs which were OK up to speeds I would not go beyond - but these were on 16 inch wheels and not as wide. If these worked on 19 inch wheels, then my problem solved, and less to store.
The Quatracs will work, Hal; no worries; for sure they'll be better than the MPSS when the ambient temperatures fall below 7ºC; but if your intention is for driving and braking on snow then I'm 100% sure you know which tyre would be best for you and yours and there's no one here who's gonna persuade you different; and I speak from experience:
An RS3 on winter rubber is an amazing experience...
An RS3 on winter rubber is an amazing experience...
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HaHa! Nothing as extreme as that! I stay snuggled up in bed when its like that outside!
Picking up on your sentiments on which is a preferable tyre - has anyone, I wonder, conducted a study on the braking on different tyres and the effect of water and temperature on the figures. It would be interesting to compare premium summer tyres against all season tyres and see what the actual differences are...
Picking up on your sentiments on which is a preferable tyre - has anyone, I wonder, conducted a study on the braking on different tyres and the effect of water and temperature on the figures. It would be interesting to compare premium summer tyres against all season tyres and see what the actual differences are...
Lots out there, Hal; and you're right in thinking of 'braking' as that's the biggest difference, however, start here:
I'm fortunate to have a trio of Audi (RS3 (quattro), TT roadster (quattro), and A1 (185bhp) non quattro) and each and every one will be on winter tyres around mid November and will stay on winter rubber till mid-April
I'm fortunate to have a trio of Audi (RS3 (quattro), TT roadster (quattro), and A1 (185bhp) non quattro) and each and every one will be on winter tyres around mid November and will stay on winter rubber till mid-April
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A good comparison above in favour of winter tyres in conditions such as they tested.
I am though more interested to find a test showing the differences in conditions thrown at Super Sports tyres - eg braking in dry above and below 7 and in wet (not snow) above and below. Lots of comments on t'internet, but no meaningful test that I can find anyway.
I am though more interested to find a test showing the differences in conditions thrown at Super Sports tyres - eg braking in dry above and below 7 and in wet (not snow) above and below. Lots of comments on t'internet, but no meaningful test that I can find anyway.
I was 'surprised' earlier this week re the standard Pirelli tyres ....
Accelerated a bit more briskly from a junction in fairly damp conditions and traction light came on & tyres did scramble a bit for grip .. that said I was in 'dynamic' so believe that may have contributed too.
Either way I am not convinced the Pirellis are that great ... I will eventually change to Michelin or Goodyear.
Accelerated a bit more briskly from a junction in fairly damp conditions and traction light came on & tyres did scramble a bit for grip .. that said I was in 'dynamic' so believe that may have contributed too.
Either way I am not convinced the Pirellis are that great ... I will eventually change to Michelin or Goodyear.
Good you've noticed now, Snake; wait till the temperatures drop below 7ºC and you may be surprised even more and for sure more often. Summer tyres are for +7ºC so anything below and the (warm/summer) rubber starts to loose grip very quickly and with the torque an RS 3 develops (maximum at 1600rpm) then you're gonna be noticing it earlier than most others.
Our front-wheel drive 185bhp A1 is a classic example, with lots of low down torque (starts with the supercharger and followed at 3000rpm by the turbocharger) you can feel the summer tyres scrabbling on wet surfaces (like MG Maestro and Montego of old, happy days) and with the steep hills all around where we reside our A1 will be on winter rubber a couple of weeks before, and in 2017 later, than our quattro duo; and they're stacked and ready now.
Them 4-rubber rings are the only things making contact with mother earth and no tyre manufacturer recommends a summer tyre for use in sub 7ºC conditions; in fact, they'd rather you use cold/winter type tyres all year round than warm/summer tyres in the winter.
Think on...
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@45bvtc I admire you, having seen various pictures of your set up with stacked wheels, on their own trolley jacks and the condition of your car.. you indeed have the perfect set up there haha. A set for each car, awesome.
The best I can do is a wooden shelf at the back of the garage to store my spare set of wheels on. (a set I'm lacking at the moment).
Hopefully one day I will of saved enough to be able to buy the best of the best of everything
The best I can do is a wooden shelf at the back of the garage to store my spare set of wheels on. (a set I'm lacking at the moment).
Hopefully one day I will of saved enough to be able to buy the best of the best of everything
@45bvtc I admire you, having seen various pictures of your set up with stacked wheels, on their own trolley jacks and the condition of your car.. you indeed have the perfect set up there haha. A set for each car, awesome.
The best I can do is a wooden shelf at the back of the garage to store my spare set of wheels on. (a set I'm lacking at the moment).
Hopefully one day I will of saved enough to be able to buy the best of the best of everything
Thank you, AudiNutta; it all started for me back in the late 60's (about your age now but I didn't have a garage) when I couldn't afford to pay others to do work for me so I started to do my own maintenance and that led me to doing the same for others and I still can and sometimes do though now I don't have to so it's for fun only
Thank you, AudiNutta; it all started for me back in the late 60's (about your age now but I didn't have a garage) when I couldn't afford to pay others to do work for me so I started to do my own maintenance and that led me to doing the same for others and I still can and sometimes do though now I don't have to so it's for fun only
It's got you to a good place, you have some very nice kit that is very looked after.
If I weren't saving so hard for an RS3, I could go and buy myself a smashing set of winter wheels
All will be worth it in the end
If I told you it got me working professionally in: the Netherlands, China, Japan, and Canada, you'd most likely not believe me...
Wow, that is most impressive!! I am sure you have many stories to tell
I saw him in Canada!!!
