Winter tires/rims
 

I have a 2008 Audi A4 Quattro and am about to put some snows on it. Just wondering what people recommend for snow tires? I'm looking at Nokians. Thoughts?

My more pressing question, however, has to do with rims. I want to get a separate set of rims for winter and I just about choked when Audi gave me the quote for rims/wheel caps/sensors. I want to go the aftermarket approach to save some $, but am wondering about the tire sensors. Can I buy aftermarket rims with sensors that will work with my car? Or, do I just forget the sensors altogether and look at the sensor malfunctioning light on my dash all winter? What does everyone else do?

Hope someone can help.

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

I would just go the aftermarket route and forget the sensors. Audi's prices are just rediculous. Check craigslist and I'm sure you'll find something.

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

You'll love the Nokian's- in the worst winter conditions i get traction like its still summer while others are sliding off the road.
Don't buy tires or rims at a dealer, it seems they are just as overpriced on those items as everything else (go figure!?)
I'm sure you can get $40 steel rims for your 2008, that's what i got for my 1999 and no issues, though they are 15" like the original rims.
Another option is to buy some older OEM Audi mags, I've seen them go pretty cheap on eBay/craigslist.
Or what I'm considering doing now, which is to buy new lower profile summer tires & rims now (should be cheaper this time of year) and move my winter tires to my old (original Audi) summer rims.

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

if you get aftermarket wheel/rims. Can you still us the sensors? or do you lose the function all together and have to look at the sensor warning light.

I'm getting winter tire for my OEM wheel and getting 19" rims and summer tires sometime this winter as well.

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

toyos with the wall nut shells in the rubber for extra grip on ice they are great this is the seconed pair i had them first on my 300 c hemi rear wheel drive I never got stuck I really cant wait to see what happens this winter with my first audi a6 quatro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

just looked into winter rubber for my OEM wheel. My tire size is 245/30/18. i can't find a set on winter for the size. any one know where i can get a set for cheap?

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

According to Car / SUV / Van / Light Truck Tire Calculations your tire circumference is 74.73"
you could go for 245/35/17 or 245/40/16 tires with some cheap steel rims and get the same outside diameter, but those are still oddball sizes.

Your normal tire circumference is around 79.5":
79.517 215/55HR16 ( 2005 A4 Standard Equipment )
79.801 235/40ZR18 (S4)
79.566 235/45HR17 or 235/45YR17 (Sport Pkg.)
78.812 225/40YR18 (Ultra Sport Pkg.)

These are all common winter tire sizes: Tire selector

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

I don't remember any audi having that size rubber. Are you sure it's not 235/40/18?

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

Tire Rack has sensors for $250 US per set. With exchange, shipping, etc., that's not much cheaper than the $350 I just paid at the dealer. Personally, I would want the sensors, if for no other reason than I don't want to stare at the warning light on the dash. But a set of sensors is not much more than replacing a tire, so to me it's money well spent. Add the hassle of replacing a flat and they are more than worth it.

Re: Winter tires/rims
 

I have a B7 A4 and was told the same thing by Costco, Tirerack.com, a local tire shop and the Audi dealer: that the cheap steel rims are not available for the car. Costco could not even source any wheel at all in 16" to fit the car.

I ended up buying a tire & 16" wheel package (alloys) on Tirerack.com; will be driving over to NY next week to get them. Saved $450 over the dealer price after taxes and exchange.