drvai

Moved to Chicago and completely new to the winter tire world. I have been doing a lot of research on the topic. People tell me that all season tires should do just fine if I just drive in the city. Here in the forums, the consensus seem to be to get a winter set-up.
The thing is that for me, storage is going to be a bit of an issue, I donīt have the equipment to change the tires (other than what is suppled with the car for the emergency wheel). Additionally, I think I will have the car for only a couple more years. Difference in price is about 700.

I was thinking in getting the Pilot Sport AS3, which seems to be pretty good in light snow. If the recommendation is to really stick with a winter tie, then my questions are:
- 225/45 R18 or 245/40 R18?
- Tire rack has cheap wheels (sport edition) but I have heard they are super soft and will just bend easily.

Elihu Smails

I've always bit the bullet for dedicated winter tires. I went through three of those cheap tire rack wheels in one season - bent.

Considering storage is an issue, just pay to have the tires swapped out twice a year- they're a lot lighter and easier to move around when they're not mounted.

DavidRS4

It depends if you live in the city or way out in the burbs. I live downtown and have used some variation of the MichelinPilot Sport A/S 3 tires for the past 10 years. I currently have a S5 Cab now. I usually have the dealer put them on the car before I even pick it up and have never gotten stuck - even in the worst storms.

envizz1

I have MSW wheels from TireRack and they are fine, have had them 5 years. I have Dunlop SP Winter Sport on them. I have Continental Extreme Contact as my other wheels. In central PA while the Dunlops are good I find the difference negligible and would not bother with winter tires again. The Contis are superb all season and are the quietest tires I have found -- a huge improvement over the OEM tires.

caf

drvai,

My wife's car came with the the 19" wheels/high perf tire option.

We bought a set of really nice RSR knock off wheels with gun-metal finish from VMR and Michelin Winter Alpin tires for use in the winter. If you want winter tires, it's better to go down to 18" wheels, I think. It's also MUCH easier if you have the wheels mounted on separate wheels. I hate having to look at crappy wheels all winter, though so I wanted a nice looking set.

For the last two winters, we went to all-season tires. The winter wheels and tires have been just sitting in my garage. I've advertised them before, but don't want to mess with shipping, so if you have any interest I'd be happy to meet you halfway (like Lafayette, IN). I would be willing to let them go cheap just to get them out of the garage. They're really a nice looking set. I've got the Audi center caps as well.

Andy

drvai

I'll PM you. What wheels are those?

How was your experience with all season tires?

ikold

Would those wheels fit on an S8 ?

caf

As you'd expect, the all seasons are a compromise. They do fine in moderate winter conditions. We usually use our SUV is things get awful.

*RINGS

I have a winter wheel set up (18") with Blizzacks which I have used on my A5 for the past two winters. They are awesome in the Eastern PA snow - we got hammered last year and never had a problem!