16" performance tires on new A4

[larry leung]

As an (now barely) upstate NY Q-owner, I would second Grant's opinion. 

Depending upon where you are in upstate NY, dedicated snows are a must if you want mobility. I used to live in the Binghamton, then  Rhinebeck areas of NYS, and in each case I wouldn't be without dedicated snows. 

I did, just for fun, take out my former 4KQ on "all season" performance tires (Dunlop D60-A2's) and drove it like I drove it on my snow tires. I promptly spun the car entering a turn under braking, something that wouldn't have happened (it would have just drifted) with my dedicated snowies. IMHO, All-Season performance tires are just for an occasional emergency.

That said, I'd have to admit, after one winter in Rockland Cty (which was the mildest on record!) just north of NYC, I would almost consider all seasons. However, since I like "real" performance tires, I have ended up with tires that are not M+S rated, so I still need snows anyway. But now I end up with the best of both worlds. The biggest hassle is storage. 

LL - NY

------Original Message------
From: Grant Lenahan <gfl at erols.com>
To: Bob Trevithick <rft at rochester.rr.com>, quattro at audifans.com
Sent: September 8, 2000 8:51:33 PM GMT
Subject: Re: 16" performance tires on new A4


Dealers are often Idiots.
Offhand I would venture:  "No, yes, yes" --
However, you need to do your detective work.

1) Are they rated for "M&S" (mud and snow) - that means they will work in 
real snow conditions - sort of.
2) are they "V" rated - generally means they are dry/warm only

overall, I would suggest dedicated, narrower, real snow tires.  They pay 
for themselves over time.  Wide is not good on snow or ice, and the best 
ice tires have "sipes" - small slits to grab the ice - which no regular 
tire can have (it ruins tread stability and wear).

Grant

At 10:32 AM 9/8/00 -0400, Bob Trevithick wrote:
>I'm new to this list, so please forgive if this is an old question.
>
>We picked up our new A4 1.8T last night, and it has the 16" performance 
>wheels/tires.
>
>The dealer couldn't answer this question, which seems odd to me:
>
>Are the 16" performance tires All-Season?  Or are they just for dry roads?
>
>Do we need to get some real winter tires for Upstate New York winters, or 
>will these be fine?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Bob
>
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==========================================
Grant Lenahan
glenahan at telcordia.com
gfl at erols.com
gfl at alum.MIT.edu

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