Advice? Winter booties for RS4
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Advice? Winter booties for RS4
I recognize tire preferences are a very individual/subjective choice, but allow me a couple of basic questions:
--Is it a big deal to mount/remount tires 3-4 times? We've got wheels multiplying like rabbits w/ the track days and 4 seasons of Chicago. I'd like to pull the almost-shot pzero's off of my oem rims and put winter tires on them....Repeat this process for for the life of the snows. Any issue other than the cost of remounting?
--All-Seasons or Full Winter/Snow? There seem to be precious few choices @ TIre Rack. The only Snow is the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D and the only All-Season is the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season. I'll drive 1000 miles/month on them.
Thanks.
--Is it a big deal to mount/remount tires 3-4 times? We've got wheels multiplying like rabbits w/ the track days and 4 seasons of Chicago. I'd like to pull the almost-shot pzero's off of my oem rims and put winter tires on them....Repeat this process for for the life of the snows. Any issue other than the cost of remounting?
--All-Seasons or Full Winter/Snow? There seem to be precious few choices @ TIre Rack. The only Snow is the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D and the only All-Season is the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season. I'll drive 1000 miles/month on them.
Thanks.
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Not a biggy(me no expert) except potential damage to rims each time..I would do full snow on the RS4
I would prefer to have the best protection for the car during the winter/early spring, which seems like a good idea for the RS4. Also probably annoying to pay to rebalance every switch over. If you are not going to run the all seasons all season you may as well go all snow...I have Dunlop Winter Sport M3s (surprised that didn't show up on your tire rack search as it does for me) on my OEM 18" RS6 wheels and they work great(handle very very well), had them two seasons. I have two sets (19" for summer, my 18" original wheels for winter,) and had previously found a cheap OEM 18" set I was going to use until I bought the 19s. Obviously the tires take up the same space as the full wheel/tire combo so I still do the full trade. My problem is I still have TT wheels/tires I need to get rid of.
PS...I should let you sublet my basement locker space as nothing fits except my tire/wheel collection...whats another set.
PS...I should let you sublet my basement locker space as nothing fits except my tire/wheel collection...whats another set.
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To me, it was always a time issue. Needing to wait for the tires to be swapped. With...
a complete set, I just change them whenever I want. It just gives more freedom. I have never heard of a maximum allowable tire changes. But the added risk of damage is always there.
AudiWorld Super User
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From: IL
I would put the all seasons on the OEM wheels and call it a day.
I'm normally a fan of dedicated snows, but you have ltd choices. This winter I'm running 18s with all seasons for the first time. We'll see how well it works out.
Marko
Marko
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From: Chicago, IL
another option is you could buy my RS4's set of 18x8.5 B5 RS4 replica wheels...
with hardly used all-season tires already on them. This was my winter solution last season but they've been sitting in storage since.
<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/lvelano/.Pictures/B7RS4/IMG_2340.jpg">
Details:
Wheels are Hartmann B5 RS4 replicas 18x8.5 with offset (ET20) made for the Audi All-Road so no spacers are needed and clears the brakes easy. Comes with Audi center caps.
Tires are Avon Tech M550 A/S M+S. 255/40/18 size. Great in the rain, capable in light snow, decent in the dry. A little noisy but so are winter tires, not a big deal especially if you have a loud exhaust like mine.
Selling my RS4 and have no use for these. Will sell relatively cheap especially if local. Make me an offer and they're yours.
<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/lvelano/.Pictures/B7RS4/IMG_2340.jpg">
Details:
Wheels are Hartmann B5 RS4 replicas 18x8.5 with offset (ET20) made for the Audi All-Road so no spacers are needed and clears the brakes easy. Comes with Audi center caps.
Tires are Avon Tech M550 A/S M+S. 255/40/18 size. Great in the rain, capable in light snow, decent in the dry. A little noisy but so are winter tires, not a big deal especially if you have a loud exhaust like mine.
Selling my RS4 and have no use for these. Will sell relatively cheap especially if local. Make me an offer and they're yours.
AudiWorld Super User
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Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D and get dedicated wheels for them.
The 3D is a better all-around performer for the conditions you'll encounter 99% of the time in the winter. Call Luke at the TireRack - ext. 362 - he'll steer you straight.
And maybe use the RS-4 reps from Marilee's car if they will clear your calipers. If 18's will fit, go for it as the tires will be cheaper and give a bit more cushion if you encounter a pothole under the snow.
The cost to swap rubber back and forth - combined with the hassle just isn't worth it, IMHO.
And maybe use the RS-4 reps from Marilee's car if they will clear your calipers. If 18's will fit, go for it as the tires will be cheaper and give a bit more cushion if you encounter a pothole under the snow.
The cost to swap rubber back and forth - combined with the hassle just isn't worth it, IMHO.
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