Mickf29

Blizzak 255/35/19
Dunlop 3D 255/35/19
Toyo Observe 245/40/19

Blizzak's I can get now: $1120 shipped, need to pay for mount and balance when they arrive.

Dunlop's are special order anywhere, takes until 2nd week of January to get, not good. Cost would be $998 shipped, need to pay for mount and balance when they arrive.

Toyo's I can get now, also have the best consumer rating: $1360 shipped, balanced and mounted.

However the size of the Toyo is a bit odd. Worried I might scrape. There is a 1/4' height difference at the wheel well, but they are pulled in a bit narrower. Narrower helps too on snow and ice, but my rims are designed for 255 correct? Will this cause an issue? The other thing I like about Toyo is they mount for free, and change for free at Les Schwab, and their service is top notch, plus these tires have sawdust and walnut shells embedded in the rubber for better ice traction. Any thoughts? I need to pull the trigger today, another 8" of snow last night made for a really nasty drive to work, on stock tires all the AWD in the world isn't helping me.

Fluffhead

LM-25's or 3D's, they are both great tires

RS Maniac

But not sure you can afford the wait in light of upcoming conditions. I got mine 2 weeks ago, must have been from the last few in inventory it seems based on what you are telling me.

When it comes to winter tires, Toyo is not a name that stands out... And not quite sure whether the 245/40/19 works without rubbing (it may).

BTW, there is also the Pirellis in our fitment, but too expensive and subpar for winter

Mickf29

except in Pennsylvania. And they can't get the ones out of PA to me until 1/7/09. They can get some in Reno wharehouse and to me about that same time as well, special order, but its too long of a wait. I am gonna order the Blizzak LM-25's, they have great reviews and people are saying they are better in ice than the 3D's. Ice is more of an issue here than snow in the Northwest.

....... now all i have to do is press place order......[click]

Ouch! $1140 gone! Wife is gonna have my nuts. Tires are here Tuesday, last rim I need from Kryptonik is here on Monday (wtf? UPS slacking was supposed to be friday or saturday). No chance to get these powder coated black in time, so will run on silver this winter. Weather and travel plans to Spokane for Xmas, Fernie for New Years, and Whistler for Presidents day don't give me the time to have them done. Weather certainly is early this year.

NYImola::NYMisano

I got my 3D's end of last week, TownFair Tire said no problem

Jenner

3D....incredible..can't believe they improved over the M3s but they did!

AudiAgain

LM-25's here. Excellent tires.
Have them dropped shipped from Tire Rack to Omni Brake & Alignment in Totem Lake (a Tire Rack Installer) case closed.

Gorobei

Agreed. I've run both on my A4 and the performance is almost identical IMO.

Mickf29

yep, i have them drop shipped to Kennewick Firestone. Will get there on Monday. My 3 rims I have now are in for paint prep, will drop the fourth off on Monday when it gets here. The fifth spare I have will leave silver for the summer set spare.

Ordered the TPMS sensors and the stems today, will be here monday. All looks good for a Wednesday morning installation. Will post pics. Just in time for Spokane drive!

Rims: $630 for all 5 spares i now have
Paint: $250
Tires: $1140
stems: $110
TPMS: $262
Install: $120
Total cost for winter wheels: $2512

Nicht ein A4

They are amazing. I have had M3s and LM 25s previously. These are better.

Great fair weather performance. Great bad weather performance. They are superior to the M3, which were great.

that said, with quattro, you can't go wrong with the LM 25.