I have a 2000 2.8L A4 Quattro that needs new tires. The tire size is 205/55R16. They are recommending Proxes All season. The Audi shop that I get all of the maintenance done says that those are not the correct tire for the car and recommended something that they sell. The cost differential is about $50.00 which isn't horrible. For the most part, I trust my mechanic but would it really make all that much difference? I live in Portland so I do a lot of wet-weather driving on a 20 mile commute each way. I'm no longer a speed demon but I don't drive like grandma either so I want tires that are going to allow me to drive the car like it should be on the winding roads between the city and the coast.

Just because my partner is frugal, I'd like to keep the install price for the tires as close to $600.00 as is humanly possible. Does anyone have any recommendations? Are the Proxes sufficient or should I go with another tire? (I can't recall what the dealer recommended, unfortunately I didn't write the manufacturer down).

Any suggestions/feedback are appreciated.

Cheers
Aj

 

Yes tires do make a huge difference and you really can't judge a tire by it's price. I use Michelin energy on my cars I like the ride I get from them, but I am in Florida. I would recommend Michelin or Bridgestone I think Bridgestone has a 30 day policy if you don't like them you can bring them back. I would imagine you would need to save your old tires for that though. Either way they are not cheap but get excellent mileage and performance. By the way when it rains here it really pours I usually can't see out the windshield to drive fast but the car handles great.

 

I worked at a tire store for 3 years, and while I can't recommend the best wet weather tire (I live in Colorado and it really doesn't rain here that much) I can tell you that the 3 standard tire sizes for our cars (with 16 rim) are 205/55/16, 215/55/16, and I run 225/50/16.

 

Thank you both for the responses. After looking at CR, I think I'm going to go with the Bridgestone tires.

 

This web site should help

www.tirerack.com

 

If your looking for a cheaper tire I had Sumitomos on from tire rack and they pulled me through some tough snow. Tire wear was decent but not great.

 

i got these one my 01 camry that i only drive went it is crappy outside
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....del=Altimax+HP
and they do great in all kinds of weather, but im unsure how they will work on an audi since mines gets to keep it's nitto invos on all season and spend most of the fall and winter in the garge

 

Thanks for the recommendations. I went with the Bridgestone Turanza w/ Serenity tires and am very pleased!

 

I just put a set of Proxes 4 on the A4 (2005); only have 6 rainy miles on them so far, so too early to tell.

Re: the Turanzas: solid tire, for sure; it will not let you down.