View Full Version : I'm thinking of buying a 2010 S4
Brunotheboxer
10-26-2009, 01:27 PM
I live in the Boston area and was wondering how this car would be in the winter with the stock tires and rims. Will it get me around comfortably in the snow?
My last two cars have been BMW's and was interested in the new S4 or sticking with another BMW and going with the E92 335. Please dont bash a newb for not searching as I did and found nothing. I dont know if this is even the best place to post this question.
myb5quattro
10-26-2009, 02:08 PM
Well, the s4 is all wheel drive so it won't be BAD. But, most importantly, quattro has been making a lot of advancements over the years, and those will all or mostly be in the new S4. Also, there is an upgraded differential out too. In other words, it's going to kick ass in the snow haha good luck
Nvius
10-26-2009, 02:08 PM
I live in the Boston area and was wondering how this car would be in the winter with the stock tires and rims. Will it get me around comfortably in the snow?
My last two cars have been BMW's and was interested in the new S4 or sticking with another BMW and going with the E92 335. Please dont bash a newb for not searching as I did and found nothing. I dont know if this is even the best place to post this question.
Dude, it's an audi. It has quattro. 'Nuff said.
But on a more serious note. I feel fully comfortable driving in the snow with this car.
akasch
10-26-2009, 03:54 PM
I'm from Utah and we get a lot of snow. Although the S4 hasn't seen snow yet (hopefully soon!), my B7 A4 is a beast in the snow. I live up on a mountain so four-wheel drive is a must. With stock all-seasons I could get up hills in snow no problem, but the real problem is stopping with those tires. The Pirelli all-seasons were ok but not great. There were some times I slid out while trying to stop in the snow. I now have blizzaks for winter and it performs awesome. I don't know what the snow is like in Boston but I'm sure it'll perform pretty well with the stock all-seasons, and if you put on snow tires you'll basically be unstoppable. Hope this helps
adbender
10-26-2009, 04:19 PM
quattro is killer but snow are a must...its coming stock with high performance rubber which will be useless as soon as the temperature drops.
with proper rubber...not a thing to worry about.
way cheaper than going in the ditch!
Brunotheboxer
10-26-2009, 04:42 PM
Dude, it's an audi. It has quattro. 'Nuff said.
But on a more serious note. I feel fully comfortable driving in the snow with this car.
With dedicated snows or the stock S4 rubber?
dedicated snows, since the stock rubber is summer performance and not all seasons.
Brunotheboxer
10-26-2009, 05:13 PM
dedicated snows, since the stock rubber is summer performance and not all seasons.
Do you have snows on their own rims or do you just swap out the tires every year and use the stock rims?
I really didn't want to start playing with snows again as I have been doing that with my BMW for three years. That is one of the reasons why I'm looking at the S4. E92 335x is also another option.
NWS4Guy
10-26-2009, 05:23 PM
Do you have snows on their own rims or do you just swap out the tires every year and use the stock rims?
I really didn't want to start playing with snows again as I have been doing that with my BMW for three years. That is one of the reasons why I'm looking at the S4. E92 335x is also another option.
It's not really going to matter what car you choose here, if you use summer tires in snow, you are screwed. If you don't want to have to worry about swapping tires with the season, then just get some decent all season, lose a little performance in the summer (and have a softer/quieter ride for doing so) and stick with those all the time.
The BMW xDrive system is inferior to Quattro, so you won't be any better there with summer tires.
ultra
10-26-2009, 05:24 PM
lees thinking, more buying an S4
Brunotheboxer
10-26-2009, 05:26 PM
lees thinking, more buying an S4
Easier said than done when BMW makes cars I love to.
AndyXXL
10-26-2009, 05:51 PM
Do you have snows on their own rims or do you just swap out the tires every year and use the stock rims?
I really didn't want to start playing with snows again as I have been doing that with my BMW for three years. That is one of the reasons why I'm looking at the S4. E92 335x is also another option.
I'm in the same boat as you. Also live in Boston area and have been swapping wheels twice a year for the last 7 years on my BMW. Doesn't take that long but it is a pain in the neck nonetheless.
As others mentioned, driving on summer performance tires in the snow is a big NO, unless you are suicidal. I consider all-season tires to be sub par to dedicated winter tires in terms of safety and performance, regardless of quattro. Sounds like the best option would be to get a set of winter wheels/tires and keep the same routine of swapping wheels as before. [wrench][headbang]
BTW, I test drove the new S4 a month ago and really liked it, but still can't make up my mind on which to get, S4 or 335i...
Do you have snows on their own rims or do you just swap out the tires every year and use the stock rims?
I really didn't want to start playing with snows again as I have been doing that with my BMW for three years. That is one of the reasons why I'm looking at the S4. E92 335x is also another option.
I have a dedicated set of winters in a smaller 18" size. I did run allseasons on a subaru with great results, but the S kind of needs better rubber to exploit its potential in summer, and winter.
There is no way I would swap rubber on the same rims....yuk. make work project that would be.
Brunotheboxer
10-26-2009, 06:10 PM
I'm in the same boat as you. Also live in Boston area and have been swapping wheels twice a year for the last 7 years on my BMW. Doesn't take that long but it is a pain in the neck nonetheless.
As others mentioned, driving on summer performance tires in the snow is a big NO, unless you are suicidal. I consider all-season tires to be sub par to dedicated winter tires in terms of safety and performance, regardless of quattro. Sounds like the best option would be to get a set of winter wheels/tires and keep the same routine of swapping wheels as before. [wrench][headbang]
BTW, I test drove the new S4 a month ago and really liked it, but still can't make up my mind on which to get, S4 or 335i...
Yeah, I'm sick of swapping out tires too. And those runflats weight a fricken ton. I haven't even tested the S4 as I will probably weight till the spring to make a purchase but since I don't need back seats the E92 kind of sings to me more.
NWS4Guy
10-26-2009, 06:27 PM
I
There is no way I would swap rubber on the same rims....yuk. make work project that would be.
Not to mention really bad for the tires stretching the bead over and over again each season.
CapeQuattro
10-26-2009, 06:28 PM
Just think of how many 3-series there are in the Boston area...nuff said.
Brunotheboxer
10-26-2009, 06:33 PM
Just think of how many 3-series there are in the Boston area...nuff said.
That never bothered me because there is a reason why.
AE Performance
10-26-2009, 06:35 PM
Audi did an incredible job with the B8 S4. Definitely a solid choice to consider. Looks great, performs well, and gets better gas mileage to boot. [up]
Brunotheboxer
10-26-2009, 06:39 PM
Audi did an incredible job with the B8 S4. Definitely a solid choice to consider. Looks great, performs well, and gets better gas mileage to boot. [up]
Thats why I'm interested. I think its a great car from what I have read. I still dont know if I want a sedan and the S5 is too expensive plus I dont want a v8 with a gas guzzler tax. For the price of an S5 I would make the jump to E92m3. The S5 isn't that much faster than the 335.
tgrundke
10-26-2009, 07:29 PM
You'd want to get yourself a dedicated set of snow shoes regardless; The S4 will come with summer tires which will become a big liability once the temps start dropping.
A good set of 18" WinterSports or Blizzaks on cheap rims are a great investment.
Nickyracer
10-26-2009, 11:40 PM
In Russia, winter lasts for almost 6 months. Good winter tyres on a proper rims are a must. Driving a performance car with a summer performance tyres during winter is quite an experience I wouldn't offer even ty my enemy!
But my S4 still hasn't seen any snow. Replaced my 19" rims with stock 18" ones with winter tyres. Car began to ride smoothly like a limo :), but turns and manuevers on dry/wet asphalt surface very basly. Waiting for the snow...
AndyXXL
10-27-2009, 06:26 PM
In Russia, winter lasts for almost 6 months. Good winter tyres on a proper rims are a must. Driving a performance car with a summer performance tyres during winter is quite an experience I wouldn't offer even ty my enemy!
But my S4 still hasn't seen any snow. Replaced my 19" rims with stock 18" ones with winter tyres. Car began to ride smoothly like a limo :), but turns and manuevers on dry/wet asphalt surface very basly. Waiting for the snow...
Where in Russia are you? I would be terrified to own a nice car in Russia, particularly in Moscow, because people there drive like maniacs or simply because it could get stolen the next day! I know that because I am Russian myself and used to live in downtown Moscow. I've seen the tricks of driving on sidewalks, opposite lanes, cutting through multiple lanes of traffic with complete disregard for anything or anyone, and other "well-mannered" behaviors. I've also seen cars flipped on their roofs, completely destroyed, mangled beyond recognition, which was a much more common occurrence over there than here in Boston. Anyway, enjoy your car and have fun leaving those Soviet built konservnie banki in the dust. [:D]