Re: Snows for 5kcstq

[Samir Shah <gofast1@home.com>]

I just put Pirelli Winter 210 Assimetrico 195-65-15, H-rated, on the 200
tqa. I've used Conti TS 7xx (720??), Pirelli Winter 190s, and Blizzaks,
on my BMWs in the past. The Blizzaks were the most miserable of the lot
(I'm still using them, tho) - one of the joys of winter (to me) is
drifting the car a little at low speeds, and the Blizzaks basically just
gave up and feathered the blocks - they cannot handle any heat. Plus
they feel wierd - like driving on a sponge.

I prefer to use a -1 size for winter tires, so you can increase pressure
on the road surface, all else (i.e. car weight) being equal, which will
give you better friction than a wider tire that can hydroplane. 195s
seem to be just fine. I've been through blizzards where you could not
see your hood, and the road had tons of snow, up in Vermont, with my BMW
635 with 195 size tires, and was not held up at all. My NYC - Killington
time was only increased by about 1/2 hour in those conditions, which is
not bad at all. I have no fear of taking back roads that may not get
cleaned as frequently as a highway with 195 winter tires.

And given that most of the time the roads are pretty clean, I'd rather
get a H-rated tire than a Q-rated tire (Blizzaks and many other snow
tires are only rated to 80 mph, if I recall correctly) - better handling
and better safety for most conditions. Which is why I chose the
Pirellis. I almost got the Michelin Alpins tho - basically flipped a
coin, and decided that since I know and like the Pirellis, might as well
buy again.

Samir.

dschloz@wagstaff.com wrote:
> 
> Todd-
> 
> Maybe I am crazy, but...
> 
> I didn't have the wobble problem that you speak of - very smooth up to 120mph.
> You may have had a bad tire (slipped tread) or they weren't balanced proplerly.
> The Michelins that are on my q just got mounted and they wobble already. I am
> taking them back to have them re-balanced, because they were fine when they were
> on the Jetta. I am not REAL confident that the 20 yo slacker that mounted them
> really cared if they were balanced or not...
> 
> What is bugging me about this thread more than tire choice is the continual
> reference to car weight and what tires came stock on it. This has NOTHING to do
> with how the car performs IN THE SNOW. I wonder how many of these people live in
> areas of serious snow. Not Ice, not wet, not dry. Snow.
> 
> - Dave
> 
> Todd Phenneger <phen9461@uidaho.edu> on 12/02/99 12:01:47 AM
> 
> To:   Dave Schloz/WAGSTAFF@WAGSTAFF
> cc:   quattro list <quattro@audifans.com>
> 
> Subject:  Re: Snows for 5kcstq
> 
> WHAT, are you crazy.  The Blizaks rule in the snow, no questions.  Esp the
> Ice.  But the SUCK in the Dry.  Their Grip is Ok but they wobble all over
> the place.  I think they are the single WORST tire I have ever driven in
> the dry in the feel anc confidence department.  Anyhow, I will never buy
> them again for that reason.  I'd MAYBe consider their newer stuff but the
> originals sure were bad.  IMHO.  They are great in the snow though.  Jsut
> not worth the tradeoffs for me when I can get close to as good of Ice
> traction and just as good of snow traction and  WAY Better dry handling
> with Nokia's or Something.  (Un studded for me)
>      Just my opinion though
> l8r
> 
>      Todd Phenneger
>      1983 ur-q / black / getting a MC
>      1984 4000 Turbo quattro (Faster than your average 4kq)
>      1987 4000 quattro / Saphire Metallic Blue/ Girlfriend's
>      1996 A6q / Volcano / Dads Car
>    *****1985 5kt / PARTING OUT!
> -----
> Don't know why you are passing up Blizzaks. IMHO these are GREAT
> tires. Snow
> traction is better than Gislaveds or Michelin snows, and wet traction is
> very
> good too. I had a set on my 318i that I drove year round for about three
> years.
> I was going to change them out in the spring the first year, but they
> performed
> so well I left them on. After three years there was still plenty of snow
> tread
> left, and I'm a pretty aggressive driver. Yes, they do wash out a little
> when
> compared to high performance tires on dry pavement, but they are VERY
> predictable. Since the 5K is a bit heavier they might not do so well on
> dry
> roads, but they are definitely worth the money.
> 
> - - Dave