Best Winter Tires
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 1
Best Winter Tires
I'm ready to mount winter tires on my new set of Audi 19" wheels. I really didn't like the combo that Audi sells since the wheels are narrower along with the tires. For various reasons I want to stick to OEM size in winter tires since I will choose V rated tires that really aren't for deep snow anyhow.
So there are two new winter tires this year:
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 and
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32
Both are snowflake rated and the latter are available from Costco at a price competitive to Tire Rack.
Any suggestions or ideas?
So there are two new winter tires this year:
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 and
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32
Both are snowflake rated and the latter are available from Costco at a price competitive to Tire Rack.
Any suggestions or ideas?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 13,234
Likes: 0
Couple suggestions:
If you have a really good dealer relationship, ask them to price your choice through TR (which has a retail side for "us", and a wholesale side for dealers). You may save (and I have saved) a few bucks this way...depends upon price to dealer and dealer discount to you. As a recent example, I saved a few hundred on the wheels we mounted Wednesday, which came from TR but through the dealer. The OEMs will become my winter wheels.
In my four Audimobiles, I have had excellent results with Dunlop Winter Sports and the Blizzaks designed for cars like ours. I am partial to Blizzak, and while still doing my research, will likely get the new LM-32s when they become available.
Generally, TR will recommend a slightly narrower tire for slicing through deep snow. I noticed yesterday that they reco a narrower tire as an alternate, rather than first, option. Our cars are quite heavy, and I will be going with the wider option.
I would also reco doing what I do every winter, which is to find an empty parking lot and 'recertify' on both snow and, ideally, glare ice. You will be both humbled and astonished at the grip of, for instance, Blizzaks. Plus, it is a good opportunity to do donuts if there is room.
Old fart advice, FWIW.
If you have a really good dealer relationship, ask them to price your choice through TR (which has a retail side for "us", and a wholesale side for dealers). You may save (and I have saved) a few bucks this way...depends upon price to dealer and dealer discount to you. As a recent example, I saved a few hundred on the wheels we mounted Wednesday, which came from TR but through the dealer. The OEMs will become my winter wheels.
In my four Audimobiles, I have had excellent results with Dunlop Winter Sports and the Blizzaks designed for cars like ours. I am partial to Blizzak, and while still doing my research, will likely get the new LM-32s when they become available.
Generally, TR will recommend a slightly narrower tire for slicing through deep snow. I noticed yesterday that they reco a narrower tire as an alternate, rather than first, option. Our cars are quite heavy, and I will be going with the wider option.
I would also reco doing what I do every winter, which is to find an empty parking lot and 'recertify' on both snow and, ideally, glare ice. You will be both humbled and astonished at the grip of, for instance, Blizzaks. Plus, it is a good opportunity to do donuts if there is room.
Old fart advice, FWIW.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 195
Likes: 13
From: Midwest
I'm actually ordering some winter tires in the next couple of days. I'm going with the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2's. They are fairly new. I've tried all different brands over the years but i personally think nokian makes the best true snow tire and i get at least 4 years out of them and usually more. They make a 245/40r19 with a sufficient load index. Unfortunately tirerack doesn't carry them though.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 7
From: Edmonton, AB
Nokian, IMO, makes the best winter tire by far. I've used the R (predecessor to the R2) with great success and, with my S6, I went with the studded hakkapeliitta 7. Unbelievable tire when conditions get slippery and quiet compared to most studded options.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: DC/MD/VA
Just ordered a set of winter tires since I am afraid if I wait for closer to winter they may be backordered. Few places I checked did not have any in stock and not everyone carries them.
Have a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2's on the way for my stock 20" OEM wheels - 255/35R-20
Have a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2's on the way for my stock 20" OEM wheels - 255/35R-20
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I order my R2s from tiresbyweb... somebody on another post mentioned to ask for a discount, and when I did, they offered one. They were great to work with. My tires arrive in 2 business days.