winter tyres

[10biscuits]

remember earlier in the year,lots of discussion about torque steer.just had a set of Dunlop winters put on today.the guy said really ought to hold off ragging it for 100 miles. Couldn't resist,tried twice hard acceleration--guess what, no torque steer at all-brilliant. Early days I know,but surely means that the standard tyres are not up to the job. noticed a few of you have had winters fitted--have you noticed the difference. Will continue to test this out and report.

[W8PMC]

Although on a different car, i've for the first time ever decided to try out Winter Tyres & you do certainly notice a difference on road. Opted for the Michelin Alpins in very close to the OEM Summer tyre sizes (MPSS) & although it was hardly freezing this morning at 5-6 degrees the traction improvement was noticeable, during a drive i do often.

Was pi$$ing down though so didn't get the opportunity to test thoroughly but so far all appears good.

[locallad]

Have just bought three month old RS6, it's got 21 inch alloys and a standard tyres. I need to fit a Winter tyres as annual pilgrimage to Switzerland is fast approaching. Audi have quoted me, almost £2900, yes £2900, for tyres and new 20 inch alloys. I can't get a straight answer out of them as to why the change in tyre size and need for new alloys!
My question is, why can't I just buy a set of 21 inch winter tyres and swap them over? Or is there technical issue in doing so? Of course they are also run flats!!
All help greatly appreciated...

[IanH755]

No issues, just Audi being a Stealer. One thing to remember is that Winters have a lower top speed rating so no doing 170mph up the Swiss Alps!

[Heden]

Have just bought three month old RS6, it's got 21 inch alloys and a standard tyres. I need to fit a Winter tyres as annual pilgrimage to Switzerland is fast approaching. Audi have quoted me, almost £2900, yes £2900, for tyres and new 20 inch alloys. I can't get a straight answer out of them as to why the change in tyre size and need for new alloys!
My question is, why can't I just buy a set of 21 inch winter tyres and swap them over? Or is there technical issue in doing so? Of course they are also run flats!!
All help greatly appreciated...

Why would they want to sell you runflats?! Seems odd to me.

I bought a complete set of 20" wheels (brand new) from a Audi dealership in Germany for approx. GBP 1100.

So my recommendation would be to search at ebay.de
There are some deals to be had.

[10biscuits]

hey up localad,my car has 21s and I've got a superb local chap who fitted the 21 Dunlops,and I got them at a fantastic price,easy change over on the existing wheels, why go to 20s,it took an hour and a bit, and he has stored my standard tyres.Depends where you are, I'm in Suffolk and he saved me nearly £ 500 against what I was quoted by you know where. One thing just for info, the winter tyres do not have the noise reducing foam as on the standard tyres--but trust me it makes no difference at all,no increase in noise levels--the grip is phenomenal. I will be going to the French Alps at least 4 times this winter,so it will be interesting to see how the tyres perform. I don't see why Audi are telling you to go to 20s--weird, perhaps they can't hold of the 21s tyres--hope this helps.