wizzofoz

My A4 with Blizzaks WS-70. I went with 17" for the winter tires.

PWWildboy

Put Nokians on my A5, took them off, too scary on dry pavement. Using stock all seasons in winter, seem to be great in the garage, lol.

Quattrokev

Go for nokian Hakka something or other. Phenomenal tires. Running 225/45 profile on dedicated winter rims not blanks.

PWWildboy

Ya, Nokian hakkippiillittaa non-studded 245-45/18 on the stock rims. Squirmy to distraction in corners. Put them on the Lexus, working good there because I behave myself in that car, lol.
The A5 is too low for winter anyway, does okay on nice winter days during chinooks when the roads are good and I can't hold back anymore!

08A4Sline

I have hankook ipikes 235 45 17 on the fronts and michilens x ice on the back. I like the feel. Had to grab something quick as my winter vehicle wasn't ready for the first breathe of winter and my all seasons were closer to slicks. Im going to be running the hankooks all over soon. They feel nice for how I drive. The michilens slipped a bit on me in turns on wet roads so I'm not as impressed with those. I drive lightly spirited in the winter weather

den Ouden

Winter tires need to fit your general climate in the winter months, certain tires like the Nokians may not be prudent when your average temperatures tend to be on the milder side. I used the Pirelli all season OEM's on my '08 for 4 winters without incident although they were horrible in the summer. My '12 came with the Continental 19's provided in the S-line package and are great in the summer but are now stacked in my garage waiting for spring, they are as hard as granite below freezing temperaturs. I have installed Nokian Hakkapellitta R's 225-50/17, (see picture on page 2 of this thread), this year and I will agree they are a little squirmy in mild and dry pavement situations but in Winnipeg in Jan. and Feb. when temperatures drop they will be the tire to have on my car. The great thing is there are many seasonal tires to choose from making it easier to find a tire that fits your needs and climate.

Frank

hyperbeast

I went with Gislaved NF 5 winter tires, studless. They offer excellent traction in snow and ice. I was pleasantly surprised with how quite they ride on dry roads as well. They are a very soft tire compound, so to maintain tread you just need to ensure your tires have the proper inflation settings. And the price is great, mid range tire price but as good as any premium tire.

chelseaa4a

I run Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3s on stock 16" audi rims for winter...did the same on my previous 06 Avant. Not very sexy but great tires for the type of winter driving I do...lots of ski hills, gravel roads and pot holes! With quattro and these babies I swear I could climb Everest!

euua

just would like to ad this tire to the mix
Gislaved NordFrost 5 - not very expensive, super quite, handles well and wears just as good too. love them

Beaven X5

I have been running Nokian Hakkapillitta (RSi and now R) on my cars for many years now:
My first set was Hakka RSi on the 2000 Volvo V70XC in 2004,then we got another pair in 2009 for the XC70 (Hakka R).

When I got the S4 in 2009, I got a pair of Hakka R 225/45/17 with RS4 replicas AD60 17X7.5. I am now using the same tires and rims on the TT: 5th season and still good for another one next year.

Yes Nokian are expensive but if you put them on late and remove them early, you can easily do 6 seasons with them (about 35,000km total). They are worth it. I got my last 2 sets in 2009 the US. It was worth the trouble.

Prior to the Nokian, I have had good experiences with Gislaved North Frost, Toyo Observe and Pirelli Winter 210. Not so good with Michelin Alpin (1997) and Dunlop (1995). but this was a long time ago... Technology has changed since then.

With a lot of skiing and a cottage in the Laurentians, I get to "test" our winter tires and AWD systems a lot. Of all the winter tires I have had, the Nokian are the best.