RSP

I am currently running the OEM 19" Y alloys with factory supplied Dunlop Sport Maxx GT (255/35XR19) summer performance tires on my 2009 A5 S-Line with 3,400 miles on the car and wheels. I live in the Pacific NW (Portland,OR/Vancouver,WA) and we get an occasional dusting of snow a couple weeks a year. Last winter was an exception with a half a foot at low lying areas that lasted a week or so. I do not take this car in the mountains for skiing in the winter. Having said all of that, I think it prudent of me to either get a winter wheel/tire package with high performance snow tires or possibly switch out to all season tires for at least the winter months.

Audi has a nice looking 18" winter wheel tire package for the A5/S5 on their web page that is accessed via their Special Offers section:
http://microsites.audiusa.com//ngw/1...20Brochure.pdf

Here is where I could us a little advice from knowledgeable forum members. With the driving conditions I have described, would you suggest I get another set of 19" Y alloy wheels and mount all season tires or go for the Audi winter wheel and tire package? I can get the former done using new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus (255/35ZR-19 XL 96Y B)tires and slightly used 19" Y alloy OEM wheels for somewhere between $2,200-$2,500. The later would run me approximately $2,200-$2,300 from the dealer with the ACNA discount.

Now on to the evaluation of the later option using the Audi Winter wheels/tires package. For the 2008/2009 A5/S5 they include Continental TS 790 tires, for the 2010 A5/S5 Dunlop Winter Sport 3D tires. I'm told the Dunlops are a little better tire and the reason for the difference between the MY 2008/20009 and 2010 is the cost to Audi for the TPMS mounted inside the tire on the former vice the lack of this type of system on the MY 2010. They do not list the tire size but I believe it to be 225/45 R18.

Now to my questions:
1) Do you recommend going with the OEM 19" Y alloys with A/S tires or going with an Audi supplied fairly attractive 18" alloy wheel with true winter high performance tires in an environment that is mostly rain, a little ice now and then and infrequent snow on the road surfaces?

2) Has anyone used or at least seen the 18" Audi winter alloy wheels on an A5 or S5 and if yes, what did you think of their looks?

3) Does anyone have experience with winter driving and the Michelin Sport A/S Plus, Continental TS 790 or Dunlop Winter Sport 3D tires?

Your feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks,

RSP

ChipB

I have the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's, size 245/40R18, and they perform superbly. Last year I bought a set of 18" Rial Como wheels with these tires mounted from tirerack - cost was $1883, shipped to my house. I picked these wheels because they are fairly reminiscent of the double Y spoke OEM wheels. I live in the Chicago 'burbs, and last year we had a lot of relatively small snow storms. I found that with these tires the Quattro lets you run circles around al those big honkin' SUVs that only have all-season tires. The Dunlops also performed very well on dry pavement - without the squirrelishness that is so typical of snow tires.