Future S4 owners in snowy areas: what do you plan to do about snow tires?

Extra wheels, Nokian NRW's or ??
 

Tire Rack is already advertising a package of 16"steel wheels, covers and 205/55-16 Blizzaks, for around (I think) $670.

They've previously told me the only 16" alloy they sell that will fit the S4 is the Mille Miglia Spyder. Not a bad looking wheel, similar to the older 16" A4 five spoke wheels. They recommended that wheel and the 205/55-16 Michelin Pilot Alpin for the S4. Total price was a little under $1K.

I'm really partial to the Nokian NRW and the Nokian Hakkapelliita 1. I've had a few sets on my last couple of Quattro's, and I've been really impressed. They have a 205/55-16 in both tires, as well. I don't know if my Nokian source will have access to 16" wheels that fit the S4. If so, I imagine I'll just get a full package from him.

Snow performance is really important to me, and it's the reason I keep buying Quattro's. If there was a 15" wheel that fit I'd buy it, and put 195's on the car. But I doubt that will be possible, so I'll be stuck with the 16's. I wish there was a 195-16 in the appropriate O.D., but I don't think there is.

When the snow melts, the summer wheels go back on. I don't much like the look of the Avus wheels, but maybe they'll grow on me. In any event, my S4 is due soon, and I wouldn't think of new wheels (except for the snows) until next summer.

Two options...
 

One is to use the stock 17" wheels for winter tires, the other is to buy some 16" wheels (yes, a few will fit, ask tirerack).

I personally will probably use the stock wheels and upgrade wheels/tires next summer.

Buy some.

Here's what I'm planning
 

225/45HR17 Dunlop Winter Sport M02 or Pirelli Winter 210A on stock wheels. 235/40ZR18 Dunlop SP9000 on 18x8.5 BBS RKII next spring. Dunlop, Pirelli, Michelin, and Bridgestone all make a high performance winter tire with an HR speed rating

As in past, switch on the rims...
 

My current car is a '97 2.8L A4Q with stick, which I've put Blizzaks on the stock rims of every winter. Nicer look than steel, sacrifices less dry-traction than going down in size.

The S4 should be here in about 30 days (ordered it in December); I'm planning to continue the same thing.

Switching costs about $30, twice a year.

What do people find is the best tradeoff btw snow tracion & tire wear? (more)
 

I have blizzak (WS-15?)s for my 4kq - they were great in the snow, but they got trashed due to about 4 months of mostly dry roads.

The fronts have a patch where the tread-blocks are worn at an angle, i.e. the treadblock surface is not tangent to the perimiter of the tire. I believe it's from *one* emergency stop in dry.

Now the car thunks at low speed & vibrates at high speed. It's sad b/c these tires have barely been used. They probably have 3000 miles on them.

Love/hate that tire...other choices, tirerack
 

That tire had really uneven wear for me, and it had an odd low frequency resonance too. I won't even talk about the worthlessness of that tire past the compound. I like the tirerack, but they must have some sort of kickback deal on those tires because that's all the want to sell.

If you like the ice compounding the closest I have found is the Yok Guardex, it is everything that other tire lacks. A step below these two tires in compounding is the Pirelli ice. The Pirelli is my trade off for 100mph dry and crawling on ice. If I had more ice I would go for the Guardex again.

Blizzaks are great for the wife's minivan- NOT for your S4! (more)
 

I've used Pirelli 210's (the regular, not the "Ice") on both a Carrera 4 and a '97 M3 (traded for my S4, due this week), and they're great.
"H"-rated, too, for 130 mph (Blizzaks are "never exceed 99 mph").

Pirelli or Dunlop winter tires on the avus wheels, maybe set of lighter wheels next spring