I'm picking up an A3 2.0T DSG this weekend...

I've read that you can't put on chains and are thus limited to using Spike Spiders...

I am wondering if this restriction still applies if I put on a set of 16" steel wheels with 205/55 snow tires. Those tires will be 20mm narrower and should provide for a bit more clearance if the offset is the same as the stock wheels.

I'm wondering, however, if the reason that Tire Rack recommends the narrower tire with the steel wheel is because the offset is not the same on the steels they sell??

Anyone have a set of 16" steelies with snow tires on their A3 here? Is there more clearance behind the tire for chains?

Boy I think I'm gonna miss my 2002 Subaru WRX wagon this winter....

 

heres what i found from a few posts on a previous A3 thread, hopefully it helps conclude this problem

"my manual says its okay to use chains as long as they require less than 15mm working space. and that they should only be cable chains.

http://www.scc-chain.com/Tract....html

those only require 6.3 mm. i just got them on amazon for like 50 bucks and they came today. 225/45-17, which ends up being model number Super Z6 SZ-133. i tried to see what the easiness was of putting them on because i am going up to big bear the day after xmas, so i did a test run in my garage. theyre not too too hard but they can be tricky. 2 people helps but you can do it by yourself, your hands will get dirty though and recommend lots of towels to kneel on if you really do get stuck in melted snow on the road. i think they will do the job if given the chance. and also your rims are more scratch-prone with these kinds of chains. so i think i might get ghetto and put maybe some kind of towel underneath the tighteners i dont think you have much choice though, $400 or $50.

a lot of info can be found here too if you havent already searched. http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2366481"

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothrea...ostid=44283749 (for the complete thread)