Topic: 2011 audi a4 2.0L S Line which winter tires to buy

[Montreal awd]

It is very difficult to choose a good handling and safe winter tire that offers a good warranty.
We do lots of winter activities.
Speed on average is 120kph never more than 160. I don't care about noise.
I need good cornering ability,good stopping ability (I know that nothing really works that well on ice) and the tire needs to last for a 36 month.
Average km's are approx 12,000.  per winter.
 An aggressive tire might be the way. 
The size I understand is 225x50x17.
 I am also aware that mags are the only posibilty and not rims.
I am open to your years of experience and expertise.
What say you?
Thanking you in advance.

[quadzilla]

Dunlop Wintersport 3D

Others will be along with other suggestions.

[Montreal awd]

It has been suggested to me  several other choices (every one wants to sell their tires)...
Pirelli w240 Sotto Zero Series 2
Michelin X Ice 2
Michelin Pilot PA3
Blizzak LM60( although I would think these would wear out too quickly).
Nokia hakapo.... (I'm not sure which model).

Although there are rebates, some of these are very expensive and on top of that mags need to be purchased.

[gotak]

Are you sure you need alloys. I thought so with the Mazdaspeed 3 but turns out 16s Mazda OEM steels fits. They just went on today at a local shop for $700 all in. Falken EPZ which is new and has only 1 review (Good on ice and snow but bad for wet they say but meh, I'll adjust my driving to compensate).

Alternate "performance" winter tires if you must have them: Hankook Icebears W300. Tends to be cheaper but everyone agree not the best.

I think for you need an aggressive winter tire can meet it. Stoping in the dry will take more space but you should be driving slower and leave for distances in the winter, you never know if you'll suddenly hit ice.

[Montreal awd]

Thank you for your response.
All the tire shops and the dealers are telling me the same thing.....mags.
There is not one tire store that tells me I can use rims.
With previous tires ie: 15" and 16" we have been able to purchase steel rims.
Not this time .

[quadzilla]

Although there are rebates, some of these are very expensive and on top of that mags need to be purchased.

How much is expensive? Its different for everybody.

Last year when I priced out winters for my GTi, a set of 17" alloys w/Dunlop 3Ds was around $1500 w/taxes here in Toronto.

Can you mount 16's on the A4? If so, there should be steel wheels available for it as I think the bolt patter might be the same as the GTi and many run 16'" steelies on that.

[Montreal awd]

Since the car is an "S Line" the tires are 225x50x17. Unable to use 16" 's .

[quadzilla]

Then it looks like you will have to either find some extra cash or a set of used alloys (if you want to save some money).

[Montreal awd]

You are probably right.
However I still need to first find the proper set of tires.
Once I do that then I can worry about the mags.
 I have already listed a few tires suggested by the tire shops and dealer and need some feed back on the ones listed.

[tortoise]

From your list I'd go with the X-Ice 2's.  They will handle just fine (I find my original X-Ice's handle was well as my H-rated Kuhmho's did) and will provide superior traction than the performance winters for your ski trips to Tremblant, Massif and Jay Peak.  They're supposed to last longer than the original X-Ices  which is impressive since I'm on my 5th and final season on mine.

The Blizzak's will wear fast and the Nokians are $$$$$$$$$4

Or what Quad said.  The Dunlop 3D has had nothing but great reviews.

[gotak]

Find if they exist local audi forums or craigslist or kijiji. You'll find people who wants to sell their stock audi rims cause they think aftermarket is better looking or wants lighter aftermarket rims. Usually, you can bargin down the price because after a while they get pretty desperate. Or you might find a complete used set with lots of life left for a lot less than new.

That's what I found for the speed 3 but I had already ordered by set of 16 inch winters. Mind you I am not complaining since I want 16 inch steels as in the long run replacing tires for 16 inch is cheaper than saving a couple bucks on a 17 inch set and those steels were surprisingly the hard bit to find on forums.

[blur911]

Find if they exist local audi forums or craigslist or kijiji.

Just saw this in Kingston.
http://kingston.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-tires-rims-OEM-17-Rims-with-Winter-Rubber-off-2006-Audi-A4-W0QQAdIdZ239978409

[Montreal awd]

Thank you. I'll look into it. 

[Montreal awd]

I have just about decided on a totally different tire. The Toyo Observe Garit xk. Any body have any comments.   or experienced using them?

[KptKrunch]

I just had Nitto SN2 (225/60/17) put on my vehicle today with Alloy rims. Nitto is the 'performance' side of Toyo and the SN2's have a nice reveiw here http://vidego.multicastmedia.com/player.php?p=do3t4091

Only drove it home though (2011 Outback 3.6R ), roads are dry here and tires seemed to handle fine. Little squirmy but all snows are.

[Montreal awd]

  Many thanks. I will look at the link 

[mmret]

Dunlop Wintersport 3D