a4rockc

I would appreciate a snow tire recommendation for my '98 A4 1.8T Quattro. I currently have Dunlop SP 8000 tires on it w/ 22,000 miles. While driving during a snowstorm the other night, traction was practically non-existent with the SP 8000s. I hear that Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 tires are excellent in the snow. Is this as good a tire as they say?

Also, is it better to buy the winter tires with its own rims instead of mounting the tires on my existing rims?

Reggie

Yes snow tires are the way to go. I am running 205/55/16 M2s on my sport rims now. What a difference over the SP8000 (which I loved). I ran my 8Ks for two mild winters here in Colorado but only had to drive 5 miles to work and home so I was lucky. Even then I had to be very carful and was unable to take manuvers to protect myself when other cars were sliding toward me. Now I am confident enough to try and swerve out of the way and not rely on luck.

You do want seperate rims. I bought 17" rims for the summer and SP9000s 225/45/17s which is why I was able to use my sport rims for the M2s. Steel rims are OK if you have small budget. You do not want to be putting tire on and off the rims each season because 1. risk of damage to the tire each time you change it. 2. risk of scratching the rims each time the exchange occurs 3. The cost of mounting and balancing each season will quickly add up to the cost of the steel rims.

If you can not get snows - next best thing is SP5000s all seasons. Lots of good postings about them. This time of the year snow tires are almost gone.


Hope this helps

Reggie

98.5 2.8QMS

email me if you have and questions (actually go to one of my postings that just says Reggie - not ReggieS - It links to my email I am on more often.)