S4 dry performance: Dunlop SP5000 or Nokian NRW?
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S4 dry performance: Dunlop SP5000 or Nokian NRW?
Choosing between the Dunlop SP5000s and Nokian NRWs for the ultimate high-performance all-season tire has been much harder than I expected. I'm looking for a single pair of tires that I never have to switch out.
One day I'm convinced the NRWs are the way to go. The next day, I'm on the Dunlops. The Nokians fit the S4 perfectly (225/45/17), the Dunlops are 235/54/17. The V rated Nokians are about $30 more per tire than the Dunlops (which appear to be W rated, right?).
I live in Chicago and drive more aggressively than the average driver, but I'm not going to take the car on the track or take turns at 80MPH.
Please, someone tell me what to do!
One day I'm convinced the NRWs are the way to go. The next day, I'm on the Dunlops. The Nokians fit the S4 perfectly (225/45/17), the Dunlops are 235/54/17. The V rated Nokians are about $30 more per tire than the Dunlops (which appear to be W rated, right?).
I live in Chicago and drive more aggressively than the average driver, but I'm not going to take the car on the track or take turns at 80MPH.
Please, someone tell me what to do!
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Joined: Mar 2000
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I've had good experiences with NRW
I had them on two of my previous A4's as winter tires. Cruise on 300 mile commutes cruising at 80 to 85 mph, no problems with occasional sprints (ahem!) to, oh, quite a bit faster.
If you plan to drive in much snow, those 235's sound awfully wide. I ran 195/65-15 NRW's on my A4's, and thought they still handled quite decently. NO WAY would I go 235 on a tire that I'm going to be driving in winter weather. But I'm a snow tire fan - I run 205/55-16's on my S4 for winter. I'd still run 195's, if I could find any that fit.
DMoore
'00 S4
If you plan to drive in much snow, those 235's sound awfully wide. I ran 195/65-15 NRW's on my A4's, and thought they still handled quite decently. NO WAY would I go 235 on a tire that I'm going to be driving in winter weather. But I'm a snow tire fan - I run 205/55-16's on my S4 for winter. I'd still run 195's, if I could find any that fit.
DMoore
'00 S4
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Trade-offs
If you want my honest opinion, get two sets of tires... If you really drive on the aggressive side, you already know that it is your tires that will often make the difference between staying on the road or ending up in a ditch.
IMHO bothe the Sport 5000 and the NRW will be good on dry and ok in the snow, but great at neither.
If youreally are hell bent on an all-season, then I suggest you go with the SP5000s, although I do not like that they don't have the 225/45 size... I believe that the NRWs will be much better in the snow than the Sport5000s. The NRWs are more of a performance snow tire (they are approved as severe snow tires in many northwestern states and Canada) whilest the Sport 5000 appear to be a true all-season.
Chris
IMHO bothe the Sport 5000 and the NRW will be good on dry and ok in the snow, but great at neither.
If youreally are hell bent on an all-season, then I suggest you go with the SP5000s, although I do not like that they don't have the 225/45 size... I believe that the NRWs will be much better in the snow than the Sport5000s. The NRWs are more of a performance snow tire (they are approved as severe snow tires in many northwestern states and Canada) whilest the Sport 5000 appear to be a true all-season.
Chris
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