Winter Tires: Imperial Snowdragon 3. Anyone heard of these??

[slowbmw]

Gents, I keep going back and forth on whether or now I need to purchase a winter wheel setup. I am currently running the 255/35/19 conti's that are a max performance summer. So far they have been okay in the cold, however we haven't received our snowfall for the year. Anyway, this is my first winter in PA, so I dont know what to expect as far as snowfall (as locals say it varies greatly every year). I grew up in upstate NY and am very accustomed to winter driving on FWD with mediocre all-seasons.

So now, my commute is pretty easy, on highly traveled roads with a hill or three. I do frequent the ski slopes regularly though, so I need to consider to tame my driving or if I can just survive on the mountain roads.

SO, I found these tires being sold by a local, for a really low price, and was curious if anyone has even heard of these?

Question 1: Do I really need a snow wheel package?
Question 2: Are these tires worth the buy, considering I will not be trudging through deep snow drifts and uncleared back roads?
Question 3: Are the 235/50/18 a viable size?

One thing to consider, I can afford these, however I would rather walk to work than spend over 1k on a wheel set. My budget is closer to the 600-800 range.

thanks for the input guys!

[RudyH]

SO, I found these tires being sold by a local, for a really low price, and was curious if anyone has even heard of these?

I would skip, it sounds like a Chinese brand tire that they stole a thread design from a major brand. From past experience on family members cars, you get what you pay for. I would stay clear. Deldo is based out of Belgium but as they say, they have been importing tires from Asia...

Question 1: Do I really need a snow wheel package? - you are on summer tires, this is a no brainer, yes you need snow tires...however you can use your existing rims. Beware that sliding into curbs is still a possibility along with unknowns covered by snow that you might not avoid. Pot hole season starts in the spring - so you may want to consider a cheap Alzor rim from ecstuning.com

Question 2: Are these tires worth the buy, considering I will not be trudging through deep snow drifts and uncleared back roads?

Depends on how frugal you want to be, and don't mind regretting a purchase.

Question 3: Are the 235/50/18 a viable size?

Yes with new wheels since you have 19" see Alzor comment

It might be safer walking then driving on summer tires.

[b8audis4]

Yes, you need winter tires. There were plenty of threads last year about people with their AWD S4's that thought they didn't need winter tires because they had AWD. They ended up in ditches.

[Thumper3]

Yes, you need winter tires. There were plenty of threads last year about people with their AWD S4's that thought they didn't need winter tires because they had AWD. They ended up in ditches.

It's a no brainier, doesn't matter what drive system you have, it's the TIRES that contact the road and they dictate ultimately your control. Rather drive a FWD with snow tires than an AWD with summers in the snow/slush/ice.

You know what the difference between an AWD on summers and a FWD/RWD in the snow is? How many tires are spinning.....LOL

[MVR 155]

To echo what the others have said..... you CANNOT do a NE winter where you plan to drive in snow with the summer tires. If you want to keep it somewhat reasonable get a set of the Alzor reps in 18" and purchase a set of dedicated winter tires.

[explainyourface]

Check out tire rack... If you search for winter tires for our cars, it gives you the option for an alternate size of 225/45R18. I purchased some Goodyear Ultra Ice WRT tires for $600 before shipping and install, but after rebates they come to $490. Cheap, effective option. They aren't blizzaks, but they will do just fine. Check it out.

[raudiace4]

Yes, you need winter tires. There were plenty of threads last year about people with their AWD S4's that thought they didn't need winter tires because they had AWD. They ended up in ditches.

+1

Don't compromise on safety, better safe than sorry. Get the winters.

[Wilbur]

See "Michelin PSS in snow" thread. Get winters and not A/S. Its a safety thing. Your summers will last twice as long. Winters should be law IMO.

[mr shickadance]

given the city you live in you should consider opting for the 18's and getting a dedicated wheel + tire combo for the winter. The extra sidewall you gain by dropping the inch could mean the difference between replacing just a tire, or replacing a wheel and a tire.

either option is going to be safer than what you currently have, but the 18's offer a sort of extra level. plus 18 inch snow tires are plentiful and dare i say cheap at around $600 a set, where as 19s are hard to come by and frighteningly expensive.

[slowbmw]

Thank you guys for the insight. I honor your opinions, as this car and AWD is new to me. I kind of had a bit of a confidence boost in thinking I had AWD and that would do me well.

I found some new blizzaks in the area 245/40/18s for 600, so I think I might scoop those up. Secondly I will have to check the wheels offered on ECS. I found a set on ebay "18 VolksWagen VW Jetta Golf GTI MKV Rabbit Passat EOS R32 Black 5x112 Wheel Rims" for $470. I might go with those for the cost.

I dont want to invest too much into this setup because I may relocate for my job in 6 months to Texas...so I really wont need snow tires then lol.

[Wilbur]

Remember AWD won't help you stop. You can always sell your winter setup if you move. good luck

[slowbmw]

Wow, these are cheap on ECS!! $400 is not bad at all, and supporting a Audizine vendor.

Anyone recommend the proper offset? +35, +40...? I could probably just look in the wheels and tires forum for this answer.

[blackfunk]

35

[mr shickadance]

Thank you guys for the insight. I honor your opinions, as this car and AWD is new to me. I kind of had a bit of a confidence boost in thinking I had AWD and that would do me well.

I found some new blizzaks in the area 245/40/18s for 600, so I think I might scoop those up. Secondly I will have to check the wheels offered on ECS. I found a set on ebay "18 VolksWagen VW Jetta Golf GTI MKV Rabbit Passat EOS R32 Black 5x112 Wheel Rims" for $470. I might go with those for the cost.

I dont want to invest too much into this setup because I may relocate for my job in 6 months to Texas...so I really wont need snow tires then lol.

remember, AWD makes you accelerate through just about anything and everything, however AWD RWD or FWD, none of them have anything to do with how well you can stop during slippery conditions.

AWD makes you go, tire choice helps you stop.

both are important in their own ways.

[kneel]

Searching for another set of these tires. They lasted 1.5yrs driving year around as I never had time to get summer shoes/tires.
Anyway to bump this thread....tires are fantastic. I do mostly hwy driving here on the East coast. The roads are pretty much clear if not lightly snow covered. Never had an issue with them.
No road noise as they have been on like I said for about 1.5yrs and rears are finally worn to where I could use another set.


Rears



Fronts

These are an English tire sl designed around the snow/ice they rarely get on the other side of the pond

Sorry for the bumb, figured I'd give OP an update on these tire....2yrs later

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