rs691919

Hello, new S5 owner with a few questions about tires. I got the OEM performance summer tires (19" 255/35 -- I believe Pirelli Sottozero), and I would like to get a set of winter tires soon. I live in St. Louis, and while winters here are not terrible, I leave for work by 630 and on snowy days, the roads are not usually very well plowed at that time. I don't really have the option of staying home or leaving late for work. So two questions:

1) Any recommendations on the best winter tire?
2) Do I need to get wheels too, or can I just go to a local installer and have them pop the summer tires off and put the winter tires on?

rs691919

Thanks in advance btw!

mhblaw

I have a set of winter wheels/tires for my RS5. Cost about $1700 from Tirerack. Tires are Bridgstone Blizzak and work well here in ND. Takes my son and I about 30 minutes in spring/fall to change out with two floor jacks. Much more convenient than taking to tire shop. YOMV.

frybear

I had to have a winter set for my BMW and had the Dunlop snows, forget which exact name though. Worked wonders on a rear wheel drive car too.

And I would get a dedicated set of rims/tires and not just swap out the tires only. Too much of a pain and takes too long. If you just have a floor jack, you can swap them out in your garage quickly. I did it twice a year and took me maybe 30 minutes tops. Just make sure you get a set of TPMS sensors for the winter setup.

uberwgn

Fry, no TPMS sensors in the newer cars...


RS, welcome aboard! Have you looked at the Classifieds section on this forum. There's loads of stuff for sale.

frybear

ah, see how old-school I am? So the newer Audis just have no sensors for tire pressure or it's a different system?

FYI, I don't actually have an Audi any longer BUT I'm in talks as I type to maaaaaaybe get a 2015 S5 shortly. I've also heard that voice command is not active in the cabriolet but I think it can be vag com'd

uberwgn

They went to a sensor-less system in 2010.


I think the R8 and A8 still have in-wheel sensors.

frybear

Thanks! makes it a little cheaper to order a winter set now. If I get the car, thinking the same rotor style wheels in 18s but replicas instead of OEM. Expensive but I love the look of the rotor wheels.

OR, could just get a set of all season tires on the OEM wheels and not worry about snows. I had the all seasons on my 2012 A6 and they were prefectly fine in winter so maybe don't even need snow tires. Just get a set of 19" all seasons, saves a lot of hassle.

uberwgn

Yeah, being sensor-free is a big benefit to those of us doing winter gear changeovers.

rs691919

Thanks for the reply! Knowing me (and having had a recent Achilles tear), it's highly unlikely that I'm going to swap the wheels and tires out myself - just being honest with myself! But there's no technical reason for not buying a new set of wheels, is there?