Winter Tire Setup

[TheDon89]

What is everyone North of the Mason-Dixon doing for winter wheel/tire setup?
18s/19s?
Winter tires/All-Seasons?
Stock rims/aftermarket?

Curious as to what people have went with and how it’s worked for the B9.

[MugelloB7RS4]

What is everyone North of the Mason-Dixon doing for winter wheel/tire setup?
18s/19s?
Winter tires/All-Seasons?
Stock rims/aftermarket?

Curious as to what people have went with and how it’s worked for the B9.

I don't think it's specific to the B9, but proper winter tires will perform better in the winter. Full Stop. People will argue that we don't need winter tires because we have AWD, but they're not taking into account that we still need to turn and stop, both of which AWD does absolutely zero to help. If you run winter tires in the winter and summer tires in the summer, you'll get the best of both world as all season tires aren't great in the summer and aren't great in the winter.

In my RS4, I've had good luck with Blizzaks, but anything specific to winter should help.

[m332is]

I'm running stock B8/8.5 18" S4 wheels in the winter with Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 snow tires in 245/40R18. I've run Hakkas for years on my cars and have been very happy. Not cheap, but I've had good luck. I live in Western NY so we get snow any time from late Nov through early April with decent amounts Jan-March.

[BrockDM]

This is my current winter set up.

18x9 et 32 - TRmotorsport C4
245/40/18 - Michelin X-ICE XI3

I went with a cheap set of 18's that I may swap out if I find a good deal on some others but they suit their purpose. I would go 18s as they provide more cushion due to the larger side walls.

I can't say enough good things about the Michelin x ice XI3. I've had almost every model of Blizzak in the past and these handle much better on dry pavement. Blizzak tends to feel squishy on dry pavement.

[1flossedS4]

While I'm in Upstate NY, I have used Conti DWS for years with great luck and never have been stuck in the snow. Obviously a dedicated winter tire is ideal but man I hate swapping and having to buy tires all the time lol

[Diokhan]

Same here - running continental DWS on the stock 18's. A dedicated winter tire would be better, but I've never had a problem with grip either.

[wsbrink]

I’m running the 19” OEM wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+. Agree that dedicated winters would be better but here in Milwaukee I’ve never had any issues with the Michelin’s - plenty of grip and they are honestly amazing in the rain.

[richib86]

i run dedicated snows on my 19" black optics rotors and summers on my 20's

[TheDon89]

I’m running the 19” OEM wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+. Agree that dedicated winters would be better but here in Milwaukee I’ve never had any issues with the Michelin’s - plenty of grip and they are honestly amazing in the rain.

Another Milwaukee man. Nice to see. 👊🏼

[VDub28t]

While I'm in Upstate NY, I have used Conti DWS for years with great luck and never have been stuck in the snow. Obviously a dedicated winter tire is ideal but man I hate swapping and having to buy tires all the time lol

Also in upstate and I’m planning to run the 18” blizzak’s setup I had on my b8. I had great snow/ice traction but I do agree that they do feel squishy/soft on dry pavement.


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[KBP]

I run 18” Hartmann RS7’s with Michelin PA4. They had plenty of snow ice traction and felt great on dry roads


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[Burrcold]

I'm running a 19" cavo replica with PA4 tires. Should be good!

[BrockDM]

I run 18” Hartmann RS7’s with Michelin PA4. They had plenty of snow ice traction and felt great on dry roads


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I'm running a 19" cavo replica with PA4 tires. Should be good!

+1 for the Michelin PA4. They weren't available when I got mine and if I went up to 19s this is the tire I would go with. Suppose to be even better than the Xice 3

[TheFatArmadillo]

I run the PA4s on some 18 inch VMR wheels, really like them.

[mobE]

I’m in IL I have pa4’s on my stock 19’s. Absolutely love those tires!

[ass4]

I'll be running 18'' nokian hakkapelitta 9 but now I'm shopping for wheels. What size should I look for to clear the brakes ?

[m332is]

i found a set of used 18" OEM S4 wheels someone on AZ was selling - they clear the calipers and take a pounding all winter. I had them painted a darker color.

[bborland10]

Make that 3 Milwaukee guys. I ran 255/35/19 Pirelli Sottozero Aerie II on my B8.5. I just lost that one in a collision last week. I’ll run them again when I Get my B9 S4 on the OEM 19.

[mystik4l06]

I have studded hakkapelitta 8s I’m in NJ using the BO wheels as winters. 245/35/19


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[Dais0948]

I have studded hakkapelitta 8s I’m in NJ using the BO wheels as winters. 245/35/19


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I have Michelin Pilot AS+ on the stock black optic 19's. Get the job done in the snow, kill it in the rain and dry. Handle better than the Stock Kuhmo's that came on the car especially in the rain.

[OverBoosted]

i run dedicated snows on my 19" black optics rotors and summers on my 20's

Same. Michelin A/S 3 for winter and PS4S for summer.

[SHCKR]

Michelin currently has a $120 rebate on tire rack, I'm trying to decide between PA4 or X-Ice. About $80 difference per tire for 245/35/19? Any recommendations?

[OverBoosted]

Michelin currently has a $120 rebate on tire rack, I'm trying to decide between PA4 or X-Ice. About $80 difference per tire for 245/35/19? Any recommendations?

Michelin currently doesn't make a 245/35/19 for the X-Ice Xi3.

It looks like they came out with a Pilot Sport All Season 4 tire which looks like it might replace the Pilot Sport A/S3+ and might be worth taking a look at.

https://www.michelinman.com/tiresbys...ireDiameter=19

[SHCKR]

They have an X ice snow... Something new I guess?

[Turbo6S4]

Has anyone even tried to run 17's? I have a winter setup from my S3 that I would like to use, and tire rack says it will fit with an ET of 35. Thoughts?
FWIW I have run Continental Wintercontact SI the last 3 years and was happy with them aside from the fact that they were very noisy in the wet.

[OverBoosted]

They have an X ice snow... Something new I guess?

Just run the Sport Cup 2s, you'll be fine.

[SHCKR]

Just run the Sport Cup 2s, you'll be fine.

[Swjimboic]

I’m running 18” Audi A6 speedline rims (they were bored to the proper hub size) with some cheap winter tires and I’ve had 0 issues up here in icy and snowy Michigan.

[rhexis]

Has anyone even tried to run 17's? I have a winter setup from my S3 that I would like to use, and tire rack says it will fit with an ET of 35. Thoughts?
FWIW I have run Continental Wintercontact SI the last 3 years and was happy with them aside from the fact that they were very noisy in the wet.

yep last year i used my 17's ET 35 that i originally bought for my 2016 S3 and they fit fine on my 2019 S4. I did have to remove the centering rings that came with the wheels though. I was shocked because i was going to purchase a new set of 18's with tires but Tire Rack said the 17's would fit. you should be good.

[Turbo6S4]

Thanks @rhexis thats awesome news. 12 dollars for centering rings is way better than another 1000 for a winter setup!

[Goonz]

My winter setup is 18x8 Andros SpecL with an offset of 35mm. My tires are Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 245/45/18 - what an excellent tire. I've had both Blizzaks and X-iCE before on prior cars but this PA4 tire is at another level. Very happy with it.

[BrockDM]

My tires are Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 245/45/18 - what an excellent tire. I've had both Blizzaks and X-iCE before on prior cars but this PA4 tire is at another level. Very happy with it.

I love to hear this! I too previously ran Blizzaks and X-iCE but in a last minute pinch I needed to buy 19" snow tires this year and the PA4 is what I got. Actually picking them up tonight ha!

[faze]

Was running PA4 for the last 2 seasons... just picked up Nokian Hakka R3 for this upcoming winter. Can't wait to take them for a spin during the first snowfall

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[mystik4l06]

I use my stock Black Optic wheels wrapped in Nokia hakkapeliitta 8 studded. Going on my third winter with those


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[audizzZZzz]

Didn't want to start another thread so just piggybacking on this one.

I've come down to 2 options for winter tires. Just wanted to know if anyone have any good and bad experience with them and comments.

Continental Viking 7 vs Pirelli Winter Ice Zero FR

Conti's are T rated vs H rated for Pirelli's in the size I wanted. Does it really matter in the winter if I'm not going to be driving in that speed? Some say to stick to at least H rated.

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[JBAeroEngineer]

Looking for a solid winter tire for a cross country road trip to the mountains for a couple weeks. Would also need to be useful here in the Mid-Atlantic (MD). Was thinking the VikingContact7 or PA4. Thoughts?

[BrockDM]

Looking for a solid winter tire for a cross country road trip to the mountains for a couple weeks. Would also need to be useful here in the Mid-Atlantic (MD). Was thinking the VikingContact7 or PA4. Thoughts?

Definitely PA4. I swear by Michelin snow tires being the best you can get. Viking 7s are also only a T speed rating (118mph). Not that you'll be doing that but I typically don't go below H like someone said above. Michelin is the better tire though. I would go Michelin Xice 3 or Blizzak WS90 over Conti if you want a little cheaper

[TheFatArmadillo]

Looking for a solid winter tire for a cross country road trip to the mountains for a couple weeks. Would also need to be useful here in the Mid-Atlantic (MD). Was thinking the VikingContact7 or PA4. Thoughts?

I run the PA4s on a set of winter wheels that are 18s. I’ve been very happy with them the past 2 winters.

[Goonz]

I run the PA4s on a set of winter wheels that are 18s. I’ve been very happy with them the past 2 winters.

Same - really enjoyed this tires having had Blizzak's in the past. PA4s def get my vote.

[RickNY]

I'm using the PA4s on a set of 18" Andros R9s that I bought used.. The tires are terrific - ended up being quieter than my Pilot Sport AS3+ tires and with great traction in the snow. The tires will be going in to their 3rd season.