Dwelling within the frigid clime of America’s Third Coast, simply blocks from Lake Erie, I’m the important thing demographic for tire corporations after they plan their winter tire advertising and marketing campaigns. Winter is getting an especially late begin in 2024, however I do know that winter tires will likely be a necessity when the white stuff lastly does begin flying. I’ll swear by winter tires and haven’t gone a frozen season with out them since I used to be in highschool. If you happen to stay someplace that recurrently sees temperatures beneath 40 levels, it’s best to do the identical. And it’s best to get a second set of wheels to maintain these tires on.
I can already really feel some individuals pulling again as a result of who can afford a second set of wheels and tires on this economic system? My argument has at all times been that the shorter stopping distances and higher chilly/snow/ice grip might be the distinction between your 3,600-pound household hatchback stopping usually versus crusing by the again seat of no matter unfortunate rusty Ford Explorer stopped on the intersection in entrance of you. The insurance coverage premium alone is greater than the price of set of wheels and tires.
I knew once I purchased a sticky set of summer season tires for my new-to-me Audi A3 E-tron earlier within the 12 months that I must discover one other set of tires for chilly climate work. As luck would have it, I’ve owned Audis earlier than and had this gray set of OZ Racing Rally wheels in storage. You could find set of aftermarket wheels on Craigslist in case you do some looking. The Fifteen52s I purchased for the summer season tires (beneath) have been solely $400, to offer you some concept. If you happen to aren’t inexplicably vehemently against inventory wheels, as I’m, you’ll be able to most likely hold your manufacturing facility wheels for winter use to save lots of a couple of dollars and get one thing extra engaging and enjoyable for the summer season months.
The gray OZs have been at all times going to be my winter wheels, as they’re 17-inch wheels. I wished 18s for the summer season tires to actually fill out the wheel wells, and the chunky look of the OZ wheels work higher as a winter wheel in my eyes. We discovered an affordable worth on a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS90s mounted and balanced for $972 (together with the disposal of the previous tires nonetheless on the wheels). Even when I’d purchased the wheels model new at the moment, the entire thing would have been below two grand out the door. If this setup helps save me from even a minor fender bender, it’ll have been value it.
Whereas I used to be messing round with the automobile at the moment I made a decision it was time to do a bit extra futzing. Since I’m going for a tarmac rally look with this automobile I ordered a pair of FIA Hybrid placard decals. The WRC might have dropped hybrid powertrains for 2025, however I haven’t.
And to make my Audi Dork degree even larger, I put in an previous Audi Sport license plate body that I’ve had for over a decade. I like this classic look on a contemporary automobile, and it really works nice for the fashionable Audi Ur-Quattro rallyist aesthetic I’m making an attempt to undertake.
I’m nowhere close to carried out with this challenge, however these personalization are at all times a few of my favorites. It doesn’t take a lot effort to make your automobile your personal.
