audivoir

I need advice on winter snow tires. I was all set to by Nokia NRW's for my new A4. The plan was to buy 16" and save on buying additional wheels. However, a big part of deciding to invest in these tires is their long life and my expectation that they will survive for 2 full leases @ 4 years each and 50,000 miles each. The dilema I have is in regaurd to the A4 sport changing to a 17" tire. I just missed out on this (bummer). As a result, I will have to buy new wheels anyway down the road. So am I better off buying them now and getting 15" tires? Or should I stay with the 16" and save the money for now. How much advantage does a 15" have over a 16"? Whichever I buy, I'll have them a long time. All input is greatly appreciated.

DMoore

I had two A4Q's. I ran both of them with 15" wheels and Nokian NRWs for winter. All I can say is that with those tires, the car was unstoppable. I'm in California, but spend a lot of time in the Sierras, where we get plenty of snow. Although nothing short of studs or chains is much good on glare ice, on every other condition those tires were great. The narrower size possible with the 15" wheels is certainly a factor. The improvement is incremental, and I'm sure 16" tires will still work pretty well. But if you want the best possible winter performance, it's 15" wheels for sure.

I had them set up on steel wheels, and you can get a set of four of those for a paltry $200 or so. Considering the value of the car, it's a small price indeed. Of course, the smaller size tires are also less expensive, so you recoup some of your expense right there.

So my vote is for the 15" snows. I'm a firm believer in the benefits of having the best possible winter equipment.

DMoore
'00 S4

audivoir

Thanx DMoore!

hamproof

If you already have the 16", why not mount snows on them, and buy 17" for summer?

eharleq

around the metroplex all winter. Get real snows.

audivoir

I will probably use my 16" sport tires for summer until they wear out and then replace with 17's.

audivoir

can my 16" sport/summer tires go on 17" wheels?
(probably a very stupid question...oh well)