To put any questions to rest, the RE040s are horrible in the snow.

Has anyone found an all season that I can slap on for the winter that will allow me dry/wet performance (such as cranking on california roads), and allow me to shred threw snow up in Tahoe?

And that will fit on the stock rims?

 

You're going to have to sort out your priorities. You can't have it all.

For maximum snow performance, you want a narrow, high profile, full bore snow tire. For an S4 that means 16" wheels, 205/55-16 snow tires, something like a Nokian Hakka 1 or comparable.

The bare minimum will be something that says "M+S" on the sidewall, to keep CHP/Caltrans satisfied at the chain check points. Such a tire, on stock 17" wheels, will probably be the stock size 225/45-17. It will get you past the Chippies, but it WILL NOT allow you do anything remotely resembling "shredding threw [sic] snow."

A common compromise is to get a good performance snow tire, like a Pirelli 210, Dunlop M2, Michelin Alpin, whatever model of Blizzak, etc. and mount that on your stock wheels. The stock size will allow reasonable (but reduced) dry road performance, while the tread and rubber compound will make snow performance better. This is a compromise - both dry and snow performance will be less than maximum.

But remember - NO tire permits performance driving on both dry and snowy roads. Please remember that fact when you're in the snow. Unless you've got a LOT of experience, and GOOD snow tires, "shredding" in the snow might get really expensive.

The guys who really shred in the snow are the European rally drivers. They use tires in sizes like 135/85 in the snow. If you don't have their gear, don't try to drive like them!

DMoore
'00 S4

 

Dmoore --

Super advice, thanks. I'm usually a better speller than that too.

taka

 

Knows his stuff. We get the Tahoe issue a hundred times on the list. The pirelli asm's are your best compromize IMHO. The haka 1's would just shoot studs like a mac 10 on the s4.

 

A set of high-perf winter tires, but downsize the wheels. Something like a 205/55-16 Pirelli 210 on 16" wheels. This allows better snow performance, decent dry road performance, and saves your 17" wheels and tires for summer when you can enjoy them best.

Which is the compromise I chose. I live in SoCal, commute every weekend to the Sierras. My dry road performance is adequate, I'm safe at freeway speeds (which means 85+, right?) during the commute, but then I have very good snow performance when I get to the mountains. If I lived in the Bay area and commuted to Tahoe, this is the choice I'd make.

I spent 20 years as a ski instructor, and have seen WAY too many accidents in the snow. The reason I buy quattros (my S4 is #7) is for their snow performance, so no reason to skimp on the snow tires.

DMoore
'00 S4

 

If you really need an all season tire you should be considering a dedicated winter tire.

A 235/45R17 will provide you with the Dunlop SP5000, which is a great UHP tire, but it is a bit on the narrow side for your OEM wheels, (works great if you have changed your wheels)-

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