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Hi guys,
I'm new to RS4 ownership with my first one being the B8 in sepang blue.
Well after reading this forum I've sent my car to Jack Barclay in Clapham for some warranty work. The suspension failure indicator came on and after a lengthy report is having NSF suspension changed with sensor, DRC recharge, suspension software update, gearbox software update and a few other things luckily all under warranty to credit to the dealer, I'll let you know how it turns out.

My tyres need changing all round and the dealer mentioned that I should consider winter tyres. I've never required these before and I've had a few performance cars.

Question is do you really benefit from winter tyres and if so which ones recommended.

Or am I better to replace all four with all season tyres and if so which ones. I read a post previously that Michellin Pilot Super Sport (£239 per corner) over the Pirelli P Zero (£185 per corner). prices from tyre leader today.

Any other brands recommended? The usual suspects like Bridgestone, Continental or Toyo any good? Hankook (£167 per corner) on Tyre Leader seem to have a good fuel rating at C over the Pirellis which are E any good?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Sanj

Sanj, did I meet u at the Westside VW meet????

If so, any chance of getting the pictures u took of my car please!

Drop us a PM and we'll work you out a great selection...

Ideally have a complete set of winter wheels and tyres. Often winter wheels are smaller (with deeper profile tyres) than summer ones.
e.g. I have 16's in summer and 15's in winter on my Ford Focus. My S8 has 20's in summer and 18's in winter.

Winters do make a noticeable difference, even if you aren't intending to go anywhere snowy. The only stock-size (265/30/20) ones that I was able to source last year were Contis, which are fine, although I would have preferred Michelin Pilot Alpin which existed in theory but not in practice. Maybe things have changed this year.
Narrower tyres are always better for truly snowy weather but my winter trips are long journeys on a mix of warm/dry roads and icy alpine ones, so wide tyres with a cold-weather compound made for a reasonable compromise.

I can concur that winter tyres are great between November and March. Much more grip in low temps and amazing on the snow. I wouldn't run them as my only tyres though as you'll nail them in the summer. You can get sets of winter tyres and OEM wheels from Germany (via eBay) for a couple of grand and you'll get circa. 4 winters from them.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/311416479695

They're mandatory in many countries in Europe in winter. I've gots a set of Conti Wintrac's 265/30/20 which will be going on in a few weeks time until end March/April but not sure I'd have winters if I lived in London and did't venture outside the M25, however, I live in Yorkshire and drive a mix of motorway, A roads and lots of B roads. Had winters on a number of cars (RWD, AWD & FWD) and am always amazed at the increased 'bite' they have on very cold frosty mornings... optimum range is when temps start to average 7 degrees C or less. They also disperse standing water better and are well worth the investment and not a false economy as you save tread on summers.

RS_Four wrote:well worth the investment and not a false economy

Totally agree with that, in the long run you wear out the same amount of rubber.
In fact you wear out a bit less as having inappropriate tyres increases tread wear, so in the long run you save on tyres.

And as for wheels, I have "cheaper" alloys in winter and worry less about keeping them pristine, so after the initial purchase price probably spend less of refurbishment.
Finally, if you have smaller winter wheels they are less prone to damage/buckling due to deeper tyres, in the season when it mainly happens.

Been running both my cars with a separate set of winter wheels for some years now and reckon it's probably break-even by now, and of course much better, safer driving.

carsarecool wrote:I can concur that winter tyres are great between November and March. Much more grip in low temps and amazing on the snow. I wouldn't run them as my only tyres though as you'll nail them in the summer. You can get sets of winter tyres and OEM wheels from Germany (via eBay) for a couple of grand and you'll get circa. 4 winters from them.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/311416479695

Got mine on eBay Germany got in a few days tyre good and alloys just waiting for cold weather now and put them on

Thanks for the replies guys. Will look into winter tyres if I can get a second set of wheels.

As for all season tyres I'm looking at stock Pirelli P Zero RO1 and Mitchellin Super Sport.pirelli good deal at the moment on tyre leader at £744 for four.

Vodkaking77 are you Peter that I spoke with at Westside if so will PM photos once I've downloaded them buddy. Still can't get over the sound of your exhaust I'm saving my pennies lol. Also took your advice about Jack Barclay and the car is there now.
Cheers Sanj

G60sanj wrote:I'm looking at stock Pirelli P Zero RO1 and Mitchellin Super Sport.pirelli good deal at the moment on tyre leader at £744 for four

MPSS all day long!

Michelin any day

Another vote for MPSS, do it

Me also on the Michelin Vote. I've changed both my B8's from Pzero's to Michelins once they've worn out, and they're a very good tyre
The Pzero's get a bad rep on here, but I feel it's a little unjust on the B8 spec tyre, as they're not bad at all.

Another vote for going for a set of winter wheels and tyres. I bought some OEM 20" Rotas with new tyres this time last year from a source in Germany for around Eu2k, and the difference is makes when the weather gets cold is massive. They also have the added benefit of being a lot more compliant too, so you get a more comfortable ride.
As said above, you'd not want to run them in summer as you won't get many miles out of a set, and you'll over heat them on a hot day of pushing on.
In the snow, they're a different league to the standard tyres. Quattro has this great reputation of grip, but an RS4 on standard summer tyres in the snow is verging on dangerous as the wide section tyres with low tread levels makes your car a 1750kg sledge as soon as you try to brake or take a corner - Trust me, I've been there, done that, and it was an unnerving experience