Petee_c

My wife's 2011 q7 TDI will need new winter rubber for this year. In Canada, we have the Goodyear Nordic Winter tire available from Cdn tire. It's currently on sale. It's a good deal at $173 per tire. Plus rebates. It's also XL load rated which I understand is good for a vehicle as heavy as the q7.

Anyone run that size on their q?

B490MTL

I do, I have Nokians, that size will "cut" through snow better then the original 255. Even the Audi dealer recommends this size.

Q7pgh1

I've used that size on a set of Blizzaks and now have Goodyear Ultra Grip ice and I agree the narrower tire helps the grip. I would recommend.

B490MTL

I'd check reviews for noise, the bigger the thread blocks the more I find them noisy.

Petee_c

Great. Thx for the feedback. The winters I have in storage probably won't last the season and are studded and really loud.

Wet snow in the mornings the past couple days, so thinking more about winter rubber.

My winters which came with the vehicle are studded coopers

B490MTL

Are you out west to have snow this early?

Petee_c

West of you, but only in Heidelberg, ON. I work in Listowel and Wingham.

I just checked the tires in the shed. Last year, I ran 255/55r18 Cooper Discover M&S with studs.

This was at 11am this morning

Petee_c

Got a set of Conti Barum Polaris 3 in 255/55r18s. Quiet and comfortable will report snow grip in a week or 2. Got them installed for $680 plus tax.

Center lugs look pretty aggressive, outer lugs look fairly all season. Each lug has at least 4 sipes.

Peter

Petee_c

We ran these tires for 2 seasons and 28, 000 km so far. I just installed them this past weekend for the 3rd season.

I am pretty sure they won't last all winter given the amount of tread remaining.

During the 1st 2 winters, these tires were comfortable, low noise, and decent grip. We didn't get in any fender benders or get stuck anywhere.

Didn't slide off the road, or into any curbs, or blow any stop signs or red lights, however I do remember a couple times driving in town where I had the pucker moment skiding to a stop and hitting some black ice and the abs kicked on.

I'd grade them:

9/10 comfort and noise,
7/10 grip on ice /snow.
7/10 wear.

I figure I'll be replacing them within the next 8000 km depending on how bad our weather gets this year.

Peter