Tires FEDERAL or Nokia

I have Nokian WRG3 18's on my S3. They are traction rated so I can use them up in the mountains without chains but are also rated for \"year round\" use (with a mileage rating!) so they don't wear as quickly in typical Portland, OR winter weather (wet and just above freezing). So I use those Nov-April and my 19's the rest of the year. I'm pretty happy with the overall feel and noise level of the tires.

Here are some of the 165/40-16s Federal 595 EVO I just picked up. The wheels are RH Classics 16x7.5 these tires (like most Federals) run a full size wide, so they run like a 175. They also stretch more round, less "quarter pipe" like a Nankang. I'm not a huge fan of the flames, but they ride nice and at least they'll wear off the tread. haha

Nokian Hakkapeliita R.

Fantastic in pretty much every way. Doesn't wear down too easy, handles snow and ice very well. I'm sure AWD helps. Might be a tad noisy on dry pavement but what snow tire isn't. Also they aren't cheap.

The federal rsr 595s I'm using on the rse05s hold up much better at the track.

Outperformed my 02 Cooper S at an AutoX event! I'm also talking about in the rain vs other tires I've had. Blows Michelins, Toyos, Pirellis, Goodyears out of the water no pun intended lol. They also seem to handle side/cornering load well. My continentals were cooked after a few track days and spirited drives while these seem fine. No chunking or odd wear patterns on the edge of the tread/sidewall. Any of those who have tracked will know what I'm referring to.

Nokians on her FWD CC now. It's a beast in the snow.

I had 155/55r14s or something like that on snowflakes and they ran great/handled great. I had to run spacers for the fitment to look right. and on my cups I have 165/45r15s. By far the best performing stretched tires I've ridden. And they can hit a pothole at 70mph and protect the wheel from bending.

We've had ice and slush for the last few weeks, no problem for my TDI + 16" Nokians.

Can't go wrong with Nokians. On my '01 MK4 GTI, I used a set of Hakka 1s for 5 or 6 years; great tires. The Michelin Xice Xi2 are great too.

you dont want them anyway.. They have to be the worst tier ever made, and will only last one season at most