I'll be picking up my new S on Oct. 29th...

Coming from the South, I have little experience with driving in the snow.

I moved here in March and sometime in April there was a huge snow storm - I was trapped for 3 days in the hotel parking lot near Belleview (driving my 330i at the time with summer performance tires).

My question is when do most of you put on your snow tires?

Do most of you have an extra set of rims or or do you mount the snow tires on your OEM wheels?

And do you leave them on during the winter even when the roads are clear and there is no snow in the forecast?

Finally, when do you take them off?

 

In the past 15 years I've lived in CO, there appears to be maybe 4 days or so during the winter when you won't want to drive your car. Other than this, the snow comes and goes rather quickly. It can be a blowing snow storm in the morning and sunny with dry roads by late afternoon. I get more concerned with the rock chips caused by the dirt that is put down on the roads so that vehicles can gain traction.

You'll likely also want to find a road that gets you to work and back without and steep hills. If 4 days a year concerns you, you might also think about a 4 wheel drive vehicle as a second vehicle.

Just my .02 Hope it's helpful!

FYI: I don't use snow tires on any of my cars. I do have an F250 that I drive on nasty days or when the snow if falling. This isn't to say that you can't drive S during these days.

 

Our's is a daily driver by my wife who has about 20 miles total daily of city driving. My main concern has been on the local streets with the deep ruts in the frozen snow/ice and the very low ground clearance of the S. There is not a lot we can do except try to avoid as much as possible. As for tires, I decided on dedicated snow tires (on all 4 corners) and opted for the Dunlop WinterSport M3. I bought a set of '03 16" rims as there are a lot more snow tire options out there for 16" than 17". As we get closer to snow season, I will simply pull of the 17's and install the 16's with the snows. The tire I selected had one of the best dry traction and treadwear rating as well, to help with all those days of winter when there is no snow!

Good Luck!

rod

 

My S2000 never sees snow. I have a daily driver that normally has 17 inch wheels with performance tires on it. I have a second set of wheels and tires that go on during the winter. I usually put them on in late october/early november. I will take them off in late march/early april. Once I put my snows on they will stay on until next spring. Too much of a pain to take them on and off all year.

Kyle

 

The main reason I bought an S over an Audi S4 with AWD, is the fact I have a 4x4 truck. My S has never and will never see snow except when at the top of Mt. Evans with the top down during the summer with 2 of your buds. (inside joke).
You technically can drive your s in the snow, but will need snow tires. If you have the budget I would personally buy a used jeep/suv/pickup with 4x4, but I also ski alot and need it more than just around town. If you can sit out the 4 horrible days, they are good about clearing the streets, the hardest area to get out of is your own neighborhood street, but after that it is not too bad. Make sure to get a CLEAR BRA for all the rocks and crap on the road.

just my thoughts.

Denver

 

the weather reports are ok in indicating when snow is expected, usally any storms from the west are blocked by the mountains.

a storm from the south will drop more snow but denver just dosnt get alot of snow.

anything can happen tho.

a junk front wheel daily drive works well, something mid 90's honda civic like. the road gravel is bad during the winter.

if you swap rims during the winter alot; get a battery impact wrench, a floor jack and an inexpensive torque wrench

 

It depends on when the first bad storm is predicted, but usually sometime in Nov.

I run a set of 18's in the summer and have bridgestone Blizzaks LM22's on my stock 16's

The LM22's are a high performance snow tire rated up to 130mph. They actually handle pretty well on dry roads so I leave them on all winter (helps me extend the life of my summer tires as well).

As soon as possible since the car looks so much better with the 18's on....usually in April.

Scott-

 

Dude,

I can't even imagine your car with little 16's on it.

your 18's are so sweet.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

 

Thanks bro! I agree, the 16's look a little small on our cars. One of the best things they did in '04 was switch to 17's (in my opinion).

Scott-