22 S5 Winter Wheels

[new_audi_driver]

Hey all! I'm taking delivery of a 22 S5 Sportback Prestige in January. I live in Denver CO so need a set of winter shoes for my new baby. I'm going to be downsizing to 18 inch wheels and need to find a good performance winter tire. I was going to initially go studless snows like the Michelin X-Ice Snow but after thinking about it I decided that since I don't live somewhere where the road is constantly covered in snow so I'd be better off with performance winters. Based on reading tire reviews it seems the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is basically the best out there. The issue is that these don't come in the recommended size of 245/40R18 in the US or the alternate size of 235/245R18. They do come in 235/40/R18 though which seems pretty damn close to the alternate size. Should I just go with this option or should I stock to the stock sizing and go with something like the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3? Based on my reading the Michelins are superior though hence my hesitation. Denver does a good job clearing the snow and it's rare to have a lot of snow on the ground for very long. I do drive to Wyoming to go skiing a couple times a year so would like to have the best possible snow traction while still having optimal performance on dry cold roads. I know I have to compromise somewhere but seems the Alpin 5 are the best compromise if the sizing isn't an issue.

What do you guys think?

[CurvesAhead]

I'd grab those tires quick, they are running out here in Idaho due to the supply side shortages.

[Sibmets]

Can't comment anything about Alpine 5, but I recently drove through Sotozerro 3's and I bought them again - excellent winter tires - came stock on my Audi winter alloys when I bought the car, and after 4 winters and 95k kms on the clock - 2 of them needed replacement, so I just bought 4 again and left the old ones for spares. Great grip on snow and road, not very noisy, good fuel economy, bit pricey (for AO's). Highly recommended.

Audi A4 B9 3.0 TDi quattro 200 kw

[new_audi_driver]

Can't comment anything about Alpine 5, but I recently drove through Sotozerro 3's and I bought them again - excellent winter tires - came stock on my Audi winter alloys when I bought the car, and after 4 winters and 95k kms on the clock - 2 of them needed replacement, so I just bought 4 again and left the old ones for spares. Great grip on snow and road, not very noisy, good fuel economy, bit pricey (for AO's). Highly recommended.

Audi A4 B9 3.0 TDi quattro 200 kw

Thanks for the feedback. I might just pick up the Sottozeros since they're cheaper than the Alpin 5 and the stock size.

[VVG]

Pick up something in a 255/40/18 size. Will be a better fit for the S5. I am not sure why they recommend 245/40/18.

[LYKUNO]

OP ... I'm currently running Pilot Alpin PA4s in 245/40/18 on my 2011 S4, but for its first 4-5 winter seasons, I ran Michelin Alpin PA3s in 235/45/18 (See invoice attached from 2010 below). They worked just fine and had the advantage of being a narrower tire for dealing with deeper snow. There was just marginal speedo error, and the extra sidewall made for a comfy ride on potholed winter roads. Here's what they looked like back in 2011!





I wouldn't have any reservations in running 235/45/18s again, and the Pilot Alpin's are great tires and long lasting. Just noticed you're selection is limited to the 235/40/18 size. I'd recommend checking that tire's specs for the rotations per mile compared to the recommended sizings to determine the degree of speedo error might be involved.