boarderchic

Does anyone have any experience with studdable tires? I'm considering getting a set. I live in SF and ride in Tahoe so dedicated snows don't seem appropriate. Planning on going up at least once a week, so definitely need something. Not uber comfortable with all-seasons after wrecking an awd Evo.

Current ride has quattro.

Thoughts?

Augie09

honestly, what are studdable tires? nevermind, googled it. looks like those aren't even always legal in certain areas and may be overkill, as they are a step up from standard winter tires (studless). you should be fine with quattro AWD. I'd just go on tirerack and find the tires with the top snow/ice ratings.

Were those performance tires on your evo?

Willy36

You should buy some cheap ass wheels and wrap em in studded tires for the mountains and then have some good wheels with good street tires for when you're not in Tahoe. Just keep in mind while studs help a ton on ice and a decent bit with snow accumulation, they'll hurt your handling on road, so if you drive like a crazy person normally tone it down with the studs on. Or get a good truck/Jeep and throw some all-terrains on, problem solved

cifex

Studded tires are illegal in most places. Also, I would imagine studding and destudding would be a lot harder than just getting a set of steel rims with snow tires for when you take trips or keep em on in the winter months.

EDIT: Google says they are legal in Cali / Nov1 - April 30. I still think steelies with a badass snow tire like the WS60 would be the way to go. Studs will be loud as fuck on the interstate....

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boarderchic

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm leaning towards all-seasons with super high snow ratings but still a bit apprehensive.

Not exactly sure which tires were on the Evo. I borrowed it from a friend; it was brand new and he had just picked up a set of all-seasons for snowboarding.

Cifex: I don't really drive in the city, but Tahoe is like 200 miles away; 50 of which has the potential for serious snowfall. Is it ok to rock dedicated snows when the majority of your driving is dry?

killclimbz

Yes it is ok to use studded snows on dry pavement. Nothing gets traction better on ice than studded snow tires. Unless you are doing RWD you'll need to get all four tires done. Once a tire is studded that is the way it's going to be until they fall out from use. Snow tires are great, studded snows are best when it gets really crappy. Just remember to change them out for your regular road tires when it's time to do so. I will say they are a lot louder. My car sounds more like a truck right now with the studded tires on. I'll take them off come April and put the road tires back on.

legallyillegal

studs are better than no studs on ice and nowhere else

the real problem is that the studded tires are from the fucking 50s

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killclimbz

'Cause they work. I'd rather have a FWD car with studded snow tires than an AWD without snow tires.

cifex

Yes. You'd be fine leaving snow tires on Nov - April. You can have them changed out twice a year at a shop. The benefit of getting 16" steel wheels (cost about $45 per wheel) is that the snow tires are cheaper than for the 17 or 18" rims that are probably on your Audi and you can easily jack up the car and throw your regular wheels on in April. You'll save your alloys and a little* cash in the long run.

Check out tirerack.com.

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boarderchic

Appreciate the input

I'll either get unstudded snows and switch them out in the summer or all-seasons and carry cables. I figured studdables would be the best of both worlds but didn't realize you can't de-stud or re-stud on the fly.

Thanks again.