Tires Kumho or DUNLOP

I've run Dunlop Wintersport 3D's for going on 4 years. They're great in snow aswell as just on cold pavement.

The ride is very soft/smooth and quiet. Far superior in handling (obviously) and noise than the factory Michelin's were.

I've been running Dunlop Direzza Z-1 StarSpecs on the track and on the street with no issues, still on OEM 18" wheels. NYC potholes have not been kind to me either, but no bubbles.

pretty sure i had some Dunlops on my GTI a decade ago or more, and would buy them again, too.

Had a bunch o different Dunlops on three different cars and they're far better economy tires than the sumitomos or coopers I've used.

Star Specs - 90% of the Bridgestone at 80% of the price.

I have Kumho ASX's on the GTI. Treadlife has been great. I currently have about 43k miles on the set and if the retards aligned my wheels correctly when I had them put on, I would be able to get another 15-20k out of them I'm sure. However, they're starting to develop some pretty bad cupping because of said poor alignment. Not the tire's fault, though. The noise is a little much. I notice it, but it doesn't bother me.

I went with steelies and 16". I actually run 16" 55 series Dunlop Wintersport M3 tires. They are OK but not magic. I actually really love the look of plain black painted steel wheels on my lava grey A3. When I put my normal wheels back on in the spring I'm always disappointed.

you probably had the same OEM dunlops that i had. those things were absolute garbage. i drove for a year in fear of driving over windy bridges with those things. after i changed tires, it was a whole new car.

I have the Kumhos and I don't like them. They are quiet, and seem to last forever, to my chagrin. Personally, I'd rather trade a little tread life for more performance, but they might be what you are looking for. A word of warning, though: they break loose pretty easily when it's wet.