Winter Tire and Wheel Package for A6 Avant?

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Aug 21, 2006 | 07:46 AM

svail50

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From: NH Lakes, Naples FL

Winter Tire and Wheel Package for A6 Avant?

Looking for options/suggestion for winter set up in lieu of OEM 18" 245/40 Continental ContiProContact.
Last winter was light in snow in NE ..but OEM's seemed no match for what might be normally expected. So--What is to consider for this year?-- Quiet, good dry perf,decent in snow and ice, Round(gets and stays balanced)?
Do I need to go to 50 series from 40 profile to get good snow perf?
..or will 45 series do the trick ? -- 45 still seems pertty low profile for snow ?
Thanks for the info in advance

Aug 21, 2006 | 08:31 AM

Gary@Tirerack.com

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Re: Winter Tire and Wheel Package for A6 Avant?

On the factory 18" you're unable to go much taller without running into clearance issues. You can minus size down to different wheels and tires with either 225/50R17 or 225/55R16. I should have more info on what tires/wheels will be available closer to winter season, likely around mid September.<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR8&url=/winter/index.jsp">winter</a></li></ul>

Aug 21, 2006 | 08:36 AM

SouthboroAudiGuy

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Go narrow -- the narrower the better for snow performance.

Narrower tires will cut through the snow instead of riding on top. Profile does not matter as much as width, but you obviously don't want to put too narrow a tire on a large, wide rim.

Suggest you go with 16 or 17" rims and 215 width. Some people go down to 205s, but the snow isn't ALWAYS on the road so it's nice to have a bit of a patch for when conditions are dry. I run 215/55/R16s on my 16x7" twin-spoke OEM sport rims. Dunlop Wintersport M3s and I love 'em (see other thread on this forum for discussion of tire choice).

Aug 21, 2006 | 09:57 AM

svail50

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From: NH Lakes, Naples FL

Re: A6 Avant winter set up

Thanks Gary-- I am thinking about the 17" 50 series option . I will look forward to the winter choices of wheels and rubber combinations.
Will they "pop up" as options on your site as referenced to "my Auto" (saved)later in the fall? --Or should I contact you directly again later ? --Thanks

Aug 21, 2006 | 10:34 AM

Gary@Tirerack.com

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Re: A6 Avant winter set up

They should pop up online as they become available. Key word there is 'should', of course

. Feel free to shoot me an email any time.

Aug 21, 2006 | 11:07 AM

jprice@CPS

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2nd.. great recommendation.

Aug 21, 2006 | 12:14 PM

fairenough

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From: Chicagoland

How much will you be driving in snow vs dry winter roads?

If the percentage of time you have snow on the roads is small, then I don't think you necessarily need to downsize. I run 225/40-18 Blizzak LM-25's on my B5 S4 here in NJ and love them.

Don't get me wrong, if you drive a lot in *deep* snow, then by all means downsize and go with an extreme snow tire. Otherwise, you may appreciate not losing so much dry road performance, by sticking with the OEM width and using a V-rated winter tire.