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Hi Jay. I'm looking for a similiar setup. What is your winter combo specs? Where did you purchase? I'm looking nationally but hope to get a setup that someone has positive experience with. Thank you for anything you can suggest.
I had the 20'' Michelin AS/3s. They were good in dry, wet and slight snow but it didn't take very long for the treads to go down (mine lasted 20K miles). The limited mile warranty is 45K.
In the same situation -most people laugh at Southern California for winter weather tire changes.
I know my tire dealer looked at me strange when I came in every 6 months to change out tires/wheel sets.
Going skiing to the mountains is a major hurdle with summer tires - they don't work at all - might was well put on skis for the car.....
For winter use, the smaller wheel size offers more sidewall and tread flex to grip the slippery conditions. I always get a size smaller to accommodate the winter tires. That's why I avoid the 21" Audi wheels while place my order.
This time around with the Audi I am getting 20" wheels w/ standard summer tires. Looking at getting my all time favorite: Continental DWS - have had them on my past 2 BMWs - 335d and X5-35d and they work perfectly - awesome in the snow and even better on dry.
My dealer suggested I look at the Pirelli PZero or Scorpion Winter for the 21" since that was the test drive I took....
I tried "swapping" for a 20" wheel before taking delivery on mine (got mine out of dealer stock) but, 'no can do' (there weren't any). I thought about a second set of 20" rims with A/S's on them but after reading the Scorpion reviews, decided to do with just the tire swap. I have had them on for about a week now and I don't notice much difference. They may be a bit louder on the freeway (which I don't drive on that much anyway) but it's not like the 21" summers were completely silent anyway...and I enjoy the sounds this car makes... Time will tell. If I notice any downsides to the Scorpions, I might switch the rubber back come spring when no snow in the mountains...
Just swapped out my 21" SQ5 rims for the Hartman HRS6 19" x 8.5" ET25. Went with the Nokian WRG3 235/55R19 from Tire Factory here in Salem Oregon. I'll be listing the 21" wheels and tires for sale. When I ordered my SQ5 they came standard with the black trim package. Im going to keep these wheels on year round and just swap out tires. Less hassle.
My only negative comment is the new lugs that Achtuning supplied look really tacky with the rims. They are chrome. Just ordered a set of Audi lug covers from Amazon so that should solve the problem.
I will contribute to this discussion by posting photos of my SQ5 with the 3 different wheel/tire setups I have. The summer Pirelli's have expired, so I will be looking at replacing them next summer. Probably with the Dunlops as I have not enjoyed the Pirelli's. But, I am also considering moving to an A/S in the 265/40. I was close to just doing that, but I decided to go with a third setup so I still have the option of running a summer-only tire. I just wish there were more options (as we all do) in the stock 21" size. Anyway, here's how things shake down at present:
Summer
OEM 21" with Pirelli P-Zeros (need replacing)
IMG_3080 by Rick, on Flickr
Winter
20x9" Hartmann HRS6-204-GS ET25
255/45 R20 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 Winter
I will contribute to this discussion by posting photos of my SQ5 with the 3 different wheel/tire setups I have. The summer Pirelli's have expired, so I will be looking at replacing them next summer. Probably with the Dunlops as I have not enjoyed the Pirelli's. But, I am also considering moving to an A/S in the 265/40. I was close to just doing that, but I decided to go with a third setup so I still have the option of running a summer-only tire. I just wish there were more options (as we all do) in the stock 21" size. Anyway, here's how things shake down at present:
Summer
OEM 21" with Pirelli P-Zeros (need replacing)
IMG_3080 by Rick, on Flickr
Winter
20x9" Hartmann HRS6-204-GS ET25
255/45 R20 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 Winter
I really like the look of those 20" Hartmann's...they look kind of OEM but still styling...wonder if they come in a darker (more graphite?) shade? Mine is Dayton Grey and I've blacked everything out (like an improved Black Optik pkg) so dark (but not black) wheels might look good too...for now, in LA, but since we have a cabin in the mountains also, I put Pirelli Scorpion (winters) on since reviews noted them as good year round...I have found that to be the case, so far...
Blizzaks are one of the best true winter for this size of vehicle in my experience, plus they look more capable in comparison to most lower profile, shallow depth winter treads, whatever suits your severity of winter :-)
I will contribute to this discussion by posting photos of my SQ5 with the 3 different wheel/tire setups I have. The summer Pirelli's have expired, so I will be looking at replacing them next summer. Probably with the Dunlops as I have not enjoyed the Pirelli's. But, I am also considering moving to an A/S in the 265/40. I was close to just doing that, but I decided to go with a third setup so I still have the option of running a summer-only tire. I just wish there were more options (as we all do) in the stock 21" size. Anyway, here's how things shake down at present:
Summer
OEM 21" with Pirelli P-Zeros (need replacing)
I like those Hartmanns as winter wheels because they would be extraordinarily easy to clean. May go that route even though these wheels may have fallen out of vogue over the past couple of years.
Will contact Achtuning to see how they would fit my 07 SQ5, thanks!
10-06-2015, 12:25 PM
Time will tell. If I notice any downsides to the Scorpions, I might switch the rubber back come spring when no snow in the mountains...
IMG_3080 by Rick, on Flickr
IMG_0907 by Rick, on Flickr
IMG_3111 by Rick, on Flickr
