good advice gents and could not agree more. I swear by winter tyres and the temps are already here to get the benefit. Summer tyres stop working properly below 7 degrees so stopping power and grip are hindered.
I lived in Germany for years and was always amazed at how RWD cars would just cruise up hills covered in snow.
in Germany, Austria, Switzerland its law to run winters. in Germany they talk about the 'O bis O' period to run them - Oktober bis Ostern (Easter). I think its the same in the scando countries as they have boat loads of bad weather.
I have just put the winters on the wife's A3. winters going on the Q5 today. the best time to change is when the temps are below 7 degrees for the time of your journey. not the maximum in the day. if you need the car for work in the morning at 6am and its always 1 degrees then you have the answer right there.
I always go down a size in diameter of the wheels. Q5 runs on 19s for summer but 18s for winter. tyres are a bit cheaper and better ride too.
its amazing how soft the material stays even when really cold. if you feel the summer tyres they are rock hard.
if you are going to run them on the CSL then I would go to 18s (OEM e46 m3 wheels) with 225/40/18 fronts and then 245 rears. you are better off with thinner tyres are just get more purchase in the rain and snow.
people think you are fine with 4wd on summer tyres but you are not....in fact its worse as once you get a slide on then stopping 2 tonnes of AWD bus then there is no stopping it.
it should be law in uk to run winters as there would be so fewer claims for bumps or at least firms should offer discount for running them!!
brand wise falken or federal or toyo will be fine. Michelin or contis are the best winters. Nokian are very good as they are a finnish brand and they have harsh winters. I would not go super cheap but as you would not with summer tyres.
if you are buying second hand then don't buy anything below 4mm as winters lose their benefit below this tread. plus they will be old too and they start to harden up and lose efficiency.
my fave moment from last year was pulling the copper out of the ditch in the snow in the Q5 on winters. he was in his 4wd Volvo but on summers and going far too fast for the conditions. plonker!!
get the winters on defo in a RWD and you will have no worries.
great long running thread here on pistonheads too:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...t=Winter+Tyres