Winter Tyres

[KKM]

Talk to me. Any to avoid?

Looking at getting a set of Michelin Alpin's

Thoughts / Comments please

cheers

Kev

 

[klauster]

I wouldn't waste my money on paying too much for them, conti winters or goodyear are amazing in the ice/snow and only £120 a corner

 

[45bvtc]

I spent my money on VREDESTEIN Wintrac 4xtreme tyres, for the last 2-winters they've got Bluey everwhere she wants to go:

 

[45bvtc]

Talk to me. Any to avoid?

Looking at getting a set of Michelin Alpin's

Thoughts / Comments please

cheers

Kev

Hi KKM,

Just to let you know that I have the VREDESTEIN Wintrac 4xtreme tyres on my Mk2 quattro TT also, it's a truly excellent tyre.

And the photograph of my RS3 outside the pub; well the pub is at one of the highest points on Cannock Chase (The Malt Shovel, Chorley) and we only went because there was so much of the white stuff on the ground.

The difference is plain to see:

MY OWN TESTING: I have pushed another's RS3 down the road (Jon knows) on the original Continentals in slightly damp conditions, and with the ambient @ 4ºC and was amazed at how little grip there was when lead footing the car. I've done the same on another's wearing Goodyear F1's, so lets not go there. On proper winter tyres however (in my case Vredesteins) there is ZERO slippage (on the same piece of road, and within 1-hour just to evaluate car-to-car), Bluey on the Vredesteins just GRIPS and takes-off…

And the wear rate over 2-winters is MEGA LOW! (well worth the saving on summer rubber wear)

It makes NO sense to me NOT to use winter rubber; after all, you've only those 4-patches of rubber protecting you and yours!

 

[KKM]

Amazing!!!

I had Wintracs on my Cayman S for 2 winters, and I must say they did the job no problem.

I'm getting some good quotes back from tyre companies local to me so will prob order very soon to safe the rush and hike in price if and when the snow falls.

thanks again

Kev

 

[T-800]

I was looking at these after a conversation with John, best price i found online was from MY tyres.

 

[monkeyboy_marcus]

KKM, I had Michelin PA4s on front/rear last winter and they were fantastic. Never had any problems and resented taking them off to put the Contis back on in March. Found excuses to drive around in the snow, slush and ice. Highly recommended mate!

 

[T-800]

Well the new winter tyres and alloys have arrived.

 

[KKM]

Got the winter tyres fitted today. Michelin Alpin PA4's all round. Testing will begin hopefully this weekend if the temp drops a bit.

My main concern though are my summer rubber!!! Continental sports.... The front tyres have started to peel if you like.

Some of the rubber round the bands of the tyre are missing. Anyone else have the same problem? Tyres have done 8k miles....

 

[monkeyboy_marcus]

Got the winter tyres fitted today. Michelin Alpin PA4's all round. Testing will begin hopefully this weekend if the temp drops a bit.

My main concern though are my summer rubber!!! Continental sports.... The front tyres have started to peel if you like.

Some of the rubber round the bands of the tyre are missing. Anyone else have the same problem? Tyres have done 8k miles....

Getting my PA4s back on next week too. Nice tyres, great in cold/wet.

My front Contis lasted about 8k before I switched to Mich Super Sports. They were shagged and below legal by then. Still got the rears on though and they're looking fine, if a bit low on tread...

 

[T-800]

Mine are going on this weekend as temperature has dropped quite a bit here in the last day or so.

 

[KKM]

What pressures should the winters be at?? 235/35 fronts..... 225 rears

 

[T-800]

I'm putting 39 fronts and 37 rears same as the conti's when I change 'em in the morning.

John emailed me about how he found running at slightly lower pressures improved the ride and handling, which is what our German friends must be doing as when my 8.5j / 8j new rotors and tyres came from Germany they had 37 psi in when I checked them.

Could they know something we don't maybe ?

 

[T-800]

Got the winter tyres fitted today. Michelin Alpin PA4's all round. Testing will begin hopefully this weekend if the temp drops a bit.

My main concern though are my summer rubber!!! Continental sports.... The front tyres have started to peel if you like.

Some of the rubber round the bands of the tyre are missing. Anyone else have the same problem? Tyres have done 8k miles....

Hmm...... Will check my Conti's tomorrow when changing to the Dunlops, the Conti's do seem to get some bad reports from RS3 owners.

 

[45bvtc]

RS3 tyre Pressures as per standard: 41 Front 39 Rear

Gettin' mine ready today - these are for the TT:

I missed that Marcus, best change the angle of view...

 

[monkeyboy_marcus]

RS3 tyre Pressures as per standard: 41 Front 39 Rear

Gettin' mine ready today - these are for the TT:

I'd do what John says, he appears to be armed (rifle behind tyres)!

 

[DAYTONA 500]

I'd do what John says, he appears to be armed (rifle behind tyres)!

I wouldn't worry about the rifle the owner is far more dangerous

 

[ColeyRS3]

I am after some winter tyres do I go for 235/35 all around?

 

[dentsy]

Hi, I just bought a pair for the front of my 2.0 tdi s line from the classifieds on here 😃

will be be fitting the Falkens 225/40/18 ASAP as I found that the 235/ was more expensive

si
i got some nankang 17's from last year that won't fit this car just still about legal free to a good home or swap some goodies lol

 

[45bvtc]

QUOTE=ColeyRS3;2014175]I am after some winter tyres do I go for 235/35 all around?[/QUOTE]


YES! Contact me if I can help. I/Bluey have/has 235's (Vredestein Wintrac Xtreams) ALL round (and this will be my/Bluey's 3rd winter on 'em ) and these Vredesteins are 110% (just purchased a new set of 245/40 18-inch Vredestein's for RS3Copilot's TT - was on 17-inch Vredestein's last winter): AND I really do NOT want to post another pic of Bluey in the snow but if needs must...

 

[ColeyRS3]

Thanks for the advice John, I was thinking of the vredesteins and a set of cheaper alloys I have been looking on the Wheelbase website can anyone vouch for these or recommend somewhere?

 

[T-800]

Well the Dunlop 3D's 235/35/19 are on the red arrow, insides & outsides sealed to protect them from the dreaded brake dust/elements.

Wheel bolts torqued to 120nm.

The summer Alloys/Conti's cleaned & checked they seem to be wearing fine no sign of the Conti's deteriorating like others have experienced.

Checked the pressures on the winters topped up as needed.

Car now spotless after the wales mini-break last weekend.

Happy bunny.

 

[45bvtc]

Thanks for the advice John, I was thinking of the vredesteins and a set of cheaper alloys I have been looking on the Wheelbase website can anyone vouch for these or recommend somewhere?

I respectfully suggest:

1) EBay (I've just purchased a set of 18-inch 9J (note the 9J for a 2.0 TT ) refurbished S-line rims with new Bridgestone's for £640 for our TT)

2) Write to that nice Veneeringman and ask for his 'German' source

3) Having just been chastised by a friend of mine in Nuremberg for buying wheels and tyres elsewhere I could ask him if he knows of a suitable set of RS3 alloys in Germany (cost/ship/etc).

And, there's a number of guys on the Forum that have gone with 18-inch 8J wheels and 225/40 tyres for winter (you'll find information on the tyre inflation chart) so you may consider this...

I'll take a look later and see what's available, check the ET etc and 'edit' this post accordingly.

EDIT: Take a look at the eBay item: "GENUINE AUDI A4 18" S-LINE ALLOY WHEELS & TYRES 245 40 18 MAY FIT A4 A3 A6 VW" The eBay item number is: 331062298164, and the seller: mrtyresuk

These claim to be "genuine Audi A4" 18-inch x 8J rims with an ET of 47 (the std RS3 is 50) so these rims would stand out 3mm more, see diagram for reference:

JP Alloys Cannock will refurb for£45 + VAT per rim, go to website. JP also know a local Vredestein agent (I'll stop now or I'll be getting them fully fitted...)

Hope this helps

 

[45bvtc]

I'd do what John says, he appears to be armed (rifle behind tyres)!

SORRY guys, and thanks Marcus, but I just had to pull that pic, too much information in the background :busted_cop:

 

[JonnyG]

And, there's a number of guys on the Forum that have gone with 18-inch 8J wheels and 225/40 tyres for winter (you'll find information on the tyre inflation chart) so you may consider this...

Yes, I'm one of them :icon_thumright:

I think this is the official Audi size for RS3 Winter tyres ?

I got a set from the classifieds on here -

Classifieds: Genuine OEM RS3 winter wheels and tyres

I polished, cleaned and sealed them at the weekend and need to get them on quick sharp looking at the forecast tonight

 

[foursprungdugtechnique]

I run Michelin Alpin A4 tyres on my 2.5 Tdi, brilliant, well worth the grip. Summer tyres are Vredestein Sportrac 3 which are pretty good in snow and icy conditions. The Alpins are like night and day tho, ATS are owned by Michelin, get a good deal there