[s-cars] winter tire conundrum

[mlp]

Levi -

Don't know about the Dunlop's, but as an alternative consider either:

1.  Nokian Haka Rsi's ~ available (or they were as of two weeks ago) in
225/50-16's for heavy snow &/or ice use.  Available "only" in an "R" (@ 106
mph) speed rating; or

2.  The Nokian WR's, an "all weather performance" i.e. available as a T, H V
or W rated multi purpose tire.  Either of these were available in
225/50x16's.  

These are available locally via Meadow Creek Tire Whole Sales outlet at:
Corporate Headquarters
800 222 7360
303 322 1800
4985 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80216
www.meadowcreektire.com  The Warehouse is not far off, i.e. north of the
intersection of I-70 and Colorado Blvd in Commerce City.  The owner, Gary
Bergman, has been a strong Rocky Mountain Audi Quattro Club supporter etc.
Meadow Creek and was offering an Audi Quattro Club discount to current
members.  While I don't think they "stock" the Dunlops, but I think they can
order in almost any tire you want.  Worth a call.  

Otherwise, use Tire Rack (www.tirerack.com) or Discount Tire and have a set
of your preferred rubber shipped to you.  Tirerack's site has a list of
preferred installers.  Any tire you pick is going to involve some trade
offs.  With the OEM 8" wide rim, my personal preference was to stick with
the slightly wider 225 size, but this is one of YMMV personal choice things.
I know I once, a long time ago, let a well meaning tire shop talk me into
what was probably a pretty good snow tire in a 215/55 aspect ratio ~ I was a
very unhappy camper with the tires dry (which in Denver/Boulder is more than
90% of your winter driving) performance characteristics.  The car felt like
a drunk on a 3 day bender  most of the time.  The soft sidewalls and taller
aspect ratio and (probably, I don't recall for certain, "T" speed rating)
left the car shifting left to right, and right to left constantly.  Wasn't
worth the "possible" additional snow & mud performance a narrower tire is
supposed to offer in my opinion.  

HTH
Mike

>-----Original Message-----
>From: s-car-list On Behalf Of Levi.Bechtel at colorado.edu

>With the recent snow we recieved here in colorado ive been 
>trying to find some performance winter tires for my stock 8x16 
>fuchs wheels. The dunlop wintersport m3 seem to fit the bill 
>perfectly except that I am unsure of what size to get, the 
>stock 225/50 tire size does not seem to be available for my 
>rims. SO the best other options seem to be 215/55 or 225/55? I 
>am not really sure which would be better with 215 being better 
>in snow but not as stiff for dry? Anyone have any experience 
>with these tires or alternatives, size wise and the best place 
>to pick them up at in the boulder and surrounding area would 
>be appreciated. Thanks, Levi 95 s6