Winter Tires

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

I prefer to call what I use "ice tires."  Snow isn't a problem with my "q" 
no matter what tires it has on. The ice and frozen slush is what scares me.

About a month ago I put Michelin Arctic Alpins (Q rated) on my 87 5ktq and 
have been testing them in the midwest (Ohio) blizzard during the last few 
days. Schools were closed and cars were in ditches everywhere, or parked 
and not moving.

These tires are directional, and prejudiced toward control on ice and 
wet/frozen slush, but they were great in snow and pretty good on dry roads. 
Whole magnitudes better in the ice/slush/wet than the Bridgestone RE 930's 
that were on the car. They rode a little harsher than I expected, but I'm 
getting used to it, or they are softening up with use. I bought 
205-65-15RQ's and if I did it over I'd get the 60's rather than the 
65's.  When used with ABS, they provide much better control than trying to 
pump the brakes. Cost is about $75 each just to get them away from the 
dealer. then there is demounting the old ones, rim cleaning, new hardware, 
mounting, balancing, and warranty if you want it. Close to $100 per wheel 
before it is all finished.

My Jetta has Michelin MX4 all-seasons and they are OK but not anywhere near 
the same on ice/slush/wet surfaces. On the Alpins, I can run my hand from 
back to front along the top of the tire, and the sipes grab really 
well.  Doesn't happen on the MX4's.

All-season tire choice for my tq would be the Nokian NRW. I may put a set 
on my stock rims and run them from April to November, just for the we6t 
road advantage, and put on the Arctic Alpins for the ice December thru 
March. My part of Ohio has 85% dry roads most of the winter, but that 15% 
is really scary and can get me killed or wrecked. I felt much more 
confident this winter with the Arctic Alpins. $400 is insignificant 
compared to getting hurt or in an accident.

Doyt Echelberger

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 10:27 AM 12/15/00 -0500, you wrote:
Hey all,

I have a set of Michelin MXV4+ on my 1994 90S, and am wondering if anyone
has winter driving experience with these tires.  I'm wondering if I should
go and get a set of winter tires and keep these ones for summer.  If that's
the case, can anyone recommend good, reasonably priced snow tires?

Thanks,

Mike Friesen
1994 Audi 90S