Bringing my A4 1.8T Avant to Vancouver from LA for good. Questions:
 

1. Will I survive with 18" M+S tires all-year round?
2. I have 40 tinting all around (except for the windshield), are there any tint laws in Vancouver. If so, will the 40 be light enough to go unnoticed?
3. Are radar detectors legal to use?
4. Recommendation for respectable insurance. I'm using Progressive in the USA. Is Progressive Canada okay also?

LAST and most important:

5. Any recommendation for a great Audi Master Tech that takes care of your car as I'm sure Audi dealers (anywhere in the world) are a rip-off.

Thanks guys and appreciate the information.

Answers... edited 9 PM PST 4/17/08
 

For the first Q, i've been driving on 16's high perf. Pirelli M&S's with no problems at all, even in the occasional snow - we might get 10 days a year tops. if you're going to go up to whistler lots though, that's another story.

Tint laws have always been that no tint at all is allowed on the fronts. they seemed to be lenient til very recently though and didn't enforce it. i had 35 all around for 4 years, w/o problems. then in one month, got two tix for it and a removal order. so there they went. heard lots of stories of others too getting caught in the last month on another forum.

RD's are perfectly legal, thankfully, so bring a V1 along if you can!

If you want to go to a dealer, I've been going to Joe at Capilano Audi for literally years, and he does an awesome job and seems to really care about things.

Lately, I also go to a place called Blitzkrieg Autowerks for some things, a guy called Cheyne there. Great guy and mechanic. Very fair too. Was an ex Porsche mechanic and works on lots of Audi's. Someone here MC Hammered got his avant tuned there to some crazy numbers. Look for the article on his ride in the last few months.

Hope that helps! Welcome back!

Missed the insurance one. I use private for optional coverage. Used to be with Family Insurance and now am with Canadian Direct, and they're saving me lots. Don't know if you know, but here we have public auto insurance (ICBC) so some of your insurance must be with them, but the rest can be with private insurers.

Thank you, Amiro. Big help on your info.
 

I'm worried about the tint because I would love to keep them. After 4 years, 2 fix it tix? I guess they are beefing up on enforcing the law.

How much is the citation? I'm hoping it's not much so I can see how long I can go with my tint first. And perhaps keep the sunroof cover open to let more light in and make it appear even lighter.

I was planning to sell the V1, but thanks to your info it's staying in the car.

I did hear about Blitzkrieg Autowerks and very much know the ride of MC Hammered as it's one sick Avant. Most likely will contact him to get to know more about the shop.

Thank you again.

Keep the tint up until you get stopped, then just mention you moved from US.

(Though shop that does RIV/OOP may fail you....)

You're right. I didn't think about that. Damn. Plan B...

Moved from Ontario with 35% tint front/back...
 

Had no problems with passing the provincial safety inspection. Keep it till you get a ticket...

Good to know. Did they just not care during inspection?

Your attitude about dealers is not going to make you any friends here....
 

A generalization like that is not called for. There are good dealers and they take care of their customers. YMMV

2nd that! : )