Tire advice

"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu)
10/15/2013 at 23:26 • Filed to: None

Hey guys, winter's coming and I'd like a bit of tire-buying advice. The ones I have on my Audi are getting pretty worn and they're predicting an abnormally cold winter this year for S.C., so we're probably going to get some ice and maybe a bit of snow. Now, being the deep south, I don't see a separate set of snow tires really making sense, so I'm wanting to look into some good performance all-season tires.

I'd had my heart set some on Yokohama AVID Envigors, but it would seem they've been discontinued in the tire size Tire Rack and Discount Tire recommends (205/50/15), though I'm currently running 195's now. The nearest size available for the Envigor is 195/55/15, which is what I'm currently running, as that's what came on the car. Would a slight loss in width be worth the quality in tire? If not, I've got to look into something else. I'm pretty budget-conscious, so I'm trying to stay under $100 per tire. I'm looking for something with good traction and response in the wet and dry, with really good braking in the snow and wet. I'm not quite as concerned about traction as far as acceleration goes- my Quattro AWD system should be able to pick up the slack enough in that department, though more traction is always better, but I'd rather focus on cornering and braking grip.

Decent treadlife is important as well. I don't brake especially hard, nor do I accelerate particularly hard, but I do take corners fairly aggressively.

So, does Oppo have any suggestions?

DISCUSSION (15)

JasonStern911 > Desu-San-Desu
10/15/2013 at 23:31

Just get a cheap used set of winter rims and wheels on eBay/craigslist. Then you can quickly switch between true summer and winter tires. You wouldn't run track in the same shoes and you'd go hiking in the snow, so I'm not sure why you think tires would be different. Plus a second set of rims adds value when you sell the car.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Desu-San-Desu
10/15/2013 at 23:34

I'm in CT and will be buying snows for my '12 Passat in the next month or so, probably from Tire Rack. You're talking a 10mm difference in width between the 195 and 205 section width tires - the 195s will be a hair taller but no problems there. I've never been let down by Kumhos, and will assume you'll get by just fine in your area with all-seasons.

desertdog5051 > Desu-San-Desu
10/15/2013 at 23:42

Do as I do in NM. Don't drive after a snow. It will melt that same day and then go up in the mountains and Hoon!

Desu-San-Desu > desertdog5051
10/15/2013 at 23:43

Considering I work 60 hours a week and my job involves lots of driving, that's not really an option, lol.

desertdog5051 > Desu-San-Desu
10/15/2013 at 23:47

Forgot about that.

How's things going for you?

Desu-San-Desu > desertdog5051
10/15/2013 at 23:52

They're going alright. Could always use more clients, lol. Currently wishing I had more money and time, but oh well, a job's a job, man.

Desu-San-Desu > JasonStern911
10/15/2013 at 23:54

I'm not going to buy a completely different set of tires and wheels, unless I can get an entire set for $40, when I already need to replace my current tires. We might get two weeks of true wintry weather, max, plus lots of rain. I flat-out can't afford two sets of tires when I'll barely use the winter set. It's just not feasible.

desertdog5051 > Desu-San-Desu
10/16/2013 at 00:01

Hear ya. I have spent the last 15 years selling health insurance. Guess what, ObamaCare (ACA for the politically correct) has ended that. I am now in pursuit of a new career. Will find something. Maybe I'll sell cars. They say that the only thing lower than an insurance salesman is a car salesman. If you are ranked that close to the bottom, what the hell.

Race to the cheese > Desu-San-Desu
10/16/2013 at 00:56

@Spann wrote that we Southerners should not put too much stock in that winter prediction, as it's hard enough for the weather people to predict two weeks out. As for the tires, I absolutely loved a set of cheap Conti ExtremeContact DWS tires in winter of 2009. I was traveling up and down I85, I77, etc. that snowy winter, always the fastest car in the fast lane. Those tires were a little more winter capable than most 3-season tires. They're also really quiet for road trips. I did hate their howl that next summer, though, every time I cornered hot.

JasonStern911 > Desu-San-Desu
10/16/2013 at 22:16

Wow. If you can get an entire set of new tires for $40, then yeah, do that. And hook me up with two rear winter tires for my 911, as the rear tires always seem to go before the fronts, and it can't possibly be my driving style... :)

For the rest of us, finding a second set of used rims with winter/all-season tires already on them is usually more cost effective.

Desu-San-Desu > JasonStern911
10/16/2013 at 22:33

You probably need to adjust your Sarcasm Meter, mate. That was my sarcastic 'if' scenario for the second set. Simply put, I'm not going to spend money on a second set of wheels and tires. We don't get enough wintry weather to really justify it.

JasonStern911 > Desu-San-Desu
10/16/2013 at 22:48

Used rims often come with tires already on them, and can typically be had for about the same price or less than the price of a new set of tires if one is patient. This is especially true if the second set of rims can be found from a more common base vehicle. The winter rims on my 911 right now are Boxster S rims I picked up for $400/set with 75% tread front/5o% tread back Kumho Ecsta ASXs. Ignoring the bad weather benefit of having a more narrow tire profile, I couldn't buy, have mounted, and balanced a new set of Kumho Ecsta ASXs for $400.

Regarding having both a set of summer and winter tires being practical, that's entirely up to you. But tires have an effective temperature range in which they are effective. And, having both a garage to store a second set of rims and a moderately high insurance deductible, keeping good rubber on my car seems like cheap insurance, even if I never have to cash in the insurance policy.

But you seem to have your mind set on something and just want to be reaffirmed, so sorry for wasting our time.

Desu-San-Desu > JasonStern911
10/16/2013 at 22:54

Simply put, I'm having to scrape every penny just to afford ONE set of tires. A second set is simply out of the option, financially. If I had more money, sure, I wouldn't hesitate. But I don't. :-/

JasonStern911 > Desu-San-Desu
10/16/2013 at 23:14

Right, which is why I am saying to look at used. Craigslist, eBay, swap meets, local shops that sell used tires locally. Even if you get a killer deal on new tires, you're looking at spending for mounting and balancing - unless you can seal the bead yourself and have access to a wheel balancer. And I'm not forcing you to look at used tires, ideally with rims, but I do speak from personal experience, having stubbornly driven a RWD Starion in winter during college. If money is so tight, then spending a bit of time seeing if a cheaper alternative is available seems like a better use of your time than making snarky remarks to someone trying to answer your "what's the cheapest way to deal with this situation?" question.

Desu-San-Desu > JasonStern911
10/16/2013 at 23:24

I have to replace the current tires anyway, so I only have enough funds for one set of tires. I can't buy used winter tires and ride them year round and I can't afford two sets of tires. Hence the need for some decent performance all-seasons.