Picking up a new S5 Sportback soon and deciding on my winter wheel setup. Going to go with 18s and can't decide on a tire. I live in Denver CO so our roads are mostly plowed and it's dry and cold for most of the winter but we do get snowstorms so conditions can be bad for a day or two. I will want to take it up to the mountains though so having good snow performance is important to me.

I can't decide if I want to go for the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 or the Michelin Alpin 5s. Basically all the online reviews say the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the best for a balance between performance and snow but I would have to downsize the width by 10mm if I went that option. The recommended stock tire size is 245/40R18 which the Pirellis come in, but the Michelins would require me to downsize to 235/40R18 as that's all that's available for the USA. Which option would you guys choose?

 

Just bought an 22 S5. Why are you going to a 18 inch rim?