RE: 225/45 17 Tires. performance -vs- Tread life, dirt roads?

[Todd Phenneger <phen9461@uidaho.edu>]

>I'm thinking of going with a 17" wheel (ATP Spa or TSW VX-1)for my A4,
>but can't decide on a tire.
>I would need a 225/45.  My concern is that I live on a dirt road in VT,
>but spend 90% of my time  on pavement. Should I go with an Dunlop Sport
>9000, or Yokahama AVS Sport or stick with a lesser performance tire that
>would offer me a longer tread life and stand up to the dirt roads better?

	As a person in a similar situation, I know (as do you) that you
WILL lose milage if you drive on dirt roads to get home.  Even a 1 mile
driveway takes it toll real fast.  Unless maybe you drive it at 10mph
which no one who lives on one does every day. :-)
	YOu can still get a performance tire that will last though.  While
they wont have the ultimate grip due to a harder Tread Compound they will
offer the steering input, feel, and precision of thier softer counterparts
but will last.
	Pirelli P7000 Super Sport  & Toyo FZ4   come to mine.  I thi nk
both have tread wears in the 300 region.  I would lean to the FZ4 as I
think its M&S Rated but also Z-rated.  Looks to be good in the Rain, Dry,
and will get you through the occasional Mud.  
	There may be others though so keep an eye out.  These should work
great on the street but on the Track they may not hold up well. Not sure
though.

>Any thoughts?
>I'm going to keep the 16" stock wheels for snows.

	Good plan.  
L8R

	Todd Phenneger
	1985 4000 quattro / silver / daily driver
	1983 ur-q / black / fixing it up
	1984 4000 quattro / modified/ awaiting Turbo Transplant.
	1987 4000 quattro / Saphire Metallic Blue/ Girlfriend's
	1996 A6q / Volcano / Dads Car
   *****1985 5kt / PARTING OUT!