Audi UK launch winter wheel and tyre programme

[robrob]

Despite the complete lack of marketing that Audi UK have undertaken, this is now available for a range of Audi vehicles in the UK.

My dealer shared the details with me last week. For an A4, the package is as follows: 4 x 17-inch five-arm Winter Alloys with Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tyres for £1120.00

The official blurb is:

Winter wheels and tyres – ideal for rain, low temperatures, ice and snow

• From temperatures below +7°C, winter tyres offer significant improvements in grip and braking. To achieve this, winter tyres are designed with different rubber compounds and tread patterns with countless ‘biting edges’
• As well as in snow, traction on wet and dry roads is dramatically improved, in temperatures below +7°C, because power is applied to the road more efficiently
• Reduced risk of aquaplaning – the greater proportion of ‘negative’ tread copes better with standing water
• Greater comfort – rubber compound designed to stay soft, smooth and quiet at lower temperatures
• Ideal companion to quattro four-wheel drive
• Simple – wheels and tyres are delivered complete, ready to fit to the car
• All tyres offered are from premium tyre manufacturers
• Outstanding quality and special painting processes ensure that our alloy wheels have maximum durability and protection against light, weather conditions and corrosion
• In the majority of cases, snow chains are available to accompany the winter wheels and tyres


People thinking about this should absolutely 100% check with their insurance company. I checked with mine. The AA, underwritten by Allianz would not insure me at all with the A4 17" wheel and tyre package. After explaining that the change would involve changing from 19" wheels to cheaper 17" wheels with safer tyres, it made no difference. They would not insure me, although they could broker a deal with someone else that would raise my insurance from £390 p.a. to almost £900.

I then checked with Audi's own insurance programme. I was disappointed to find that it was also underwritten by Allianz. However, a very helpful Audi Insurance person did the necessary investigations, liaised with Allianz, asked the right questions and I now have some very slightly cheaper insurance and the green light to change my wheels in Winter and change back in Spring.

Unlike BMW and Mercedes, Audi do not appear to be offering the winter "hotel" principle (common in Europe) whereby they also store the summer wheels and tyres for you after doing the changeover until they are changed back again in the Spring.

However, if you're interested, we have at last got an official, Audi UK sanctioned and dealer supported winter wheel and tyre option.

For those interested in the minutiae:

The winter alloys can be seen on page 6 here (link opens PDF):

http://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/au...ries-guide.pdf

The tyre size supplied is 225/50/17.

To calculate the rolling radius difference between your existing set up and the proposed winter set-up (which Allianz did with me for insurance purposes), use this website here:

http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator.htm

In my case, changing from 255/35/19 to 225/50/17 generates nearly identical overall rolling radius sizes. (only 4mm difference overall).

Finally, if you have the TPMS fitted, I believe the tyre/wheel combo has a different part number for ordering purposes.

Hope this helps anyone interested in safer winter driving or trips to the snowier/colder parts of Europe.

[Bratty]

I am gobsmacked that both Allianz UK and AA, have taken this stance regarding "Winter Tyres" and increased Insurance premiums.

Why "gobsmacked"? Because Allianz is one of the bigger Insurance companies here in Germany (with over 20 million customers according to thier website) and the AA`s partner here is the ADAC, BOTH! of whom do not just advise the fitment of winter tyres but insist (strongly!! ie. if you have an accident and you have summer tyres fitted in winter with less than 6-7mm profile (ie. almost new) they will apportion blame on you as contributing to the accident, and if the police are involved you will get points on your licence and a fine for hindering traffic!).

I would write a letter to both the AA and Allianz UK to communicate with there partners in Europe for some genuine reccomondations on winter driving techniques and "suggested" rules/policies, because there is a V. strong smell off Bull-dung from BOTH orginisations on this topic. Also the Winter Tyre and wheel combos that are supplied and approved (TÜV Gutachten) for use For "YOUR" car (ie. there is a specific list that you can get printed at the dealership for your model and engine size etc.) by AUDI, and are considered standard fitment and can indeed be ordered as a normal option on the German AUDI site when speccing your car!!?!!

The premium increase just does not come accross as logical as they are asking you to take more risk.

Dunk

[Bratty]

Have a look in your owners manual at page 272/273 and 274, it quite clearly states the acceptable size for winter tyres approved by AUDI.

Your insurance company is probably trying to class it as a MODIFICATION and applying the "Chav just come from Halfords with Calos Fandango´s on his Saxo" Rule. But it is not a modification and is in fact an approved factory fit therefore your Insurance Company (and the AA) are unfairly asking you to "Risk Your Life" and "all who travel in your car in winter".

Plus you would not be able to fit Snow-chains on 18 -19 inch wheels, which if you like ski-ing in Europe, would render your car unuseable/illeagal on the the many access roads to resorts where they are often compulsory.

Dunk

[robrob]

Your insurance company is probably trying to class it as a MODIFICATION and applying the "Chav just come from Halfords with Calos Fandango´s on his Saxo" Rule.
Dunk

I agree with your posts Dunk. I think they have absolutely treated my request in the same way they would an 18 year old asking to bling up his first motor.

I explained a number of times what I was doing and if they understood the request. They said that they did. I asked specifically if Allianz understood that I was switching to lower value, smaller alloy wheels with safer tyres for winter driving on and using Audi's approved equipment. Again, they said they understood that. Baffling. I have to say that The AA were very helpful, but were simply never going to budge from Allianz's "advice".

I suspect that Allianz are so big and underwrite so many different schemes that simply going via another provider (Audi Insurance in this case) might generate different advice. It did in my case. It would have been rather embarrassing for Audi if they were pushing this winter wheel/tyre programme but their insurance scheme couldn't support it.

I am intending to write to The AA and point out the irony of them having a Winter Tyre safety section on their website which covers the whole of Europe's requirements but that interetsed parties should note they'll be unable to insure their cars via The AA should they choose to use the aforementioned winter tyres.

[Bratty]

Hi robrob, the point i am trying to make is that AUDI have spent a few hours developing the A4 b8, and cosequently have had to do a bit of testing, the tyres that they sell are AUDI AG Factory approved your insurance company at best is making itself foolish (and in direct conflict with thier parent company Allianz.de) and are WRONG to argue! They are FACTORY APPROVED therefore the most stringent AAnal country in the world (Austria!) accepts that, please ask your dealership for the printout off TÜV Approved fitments for your Model! Your insurance company does not need to be informed that you are driving on them because they are OEM fitment:

Dunk

[robrob]

I see what you're saying Dunk.

That said, imagine trying to have that conversation with them after you've had an accident and are trying to make a claim.....

[Bratty]

But That my Point robrob! The insurance company cannot say that you have not complied with the factory requirements as long as you have AUDI specified (for your model and engine size) OEM fitted wheels, there can be no issue!


Dunk

[robrob]

I understand your point Dunk!

What I am saying is that I am not prepared to have a discussion with an insurance company after the event on the basis that I have Audi OEM wheels fitted that differ from the ones it was supplied with, and I'm alternating between the two wheel sets.

Whether I should need to do it or not, I want an insurance company and underwriter who know about what I am doing and are happy about it. They may be wrong to argue, but frankly, it's easier to switch to someone who doesn't argue in the first place.

Anyone who is happy to assume that their insurance companies won't care or check what tyres their car shipped with compared to the ones they are wearing when they crash (OEM or not), or is prepared to convince them they are wrong if they deny a claim, is free to do so.

[Bratty]

robrob, i understand fully your concern! But it is unfounded

Totally unfounded!! OEM is OEM, FACT!! Not for robrob! but for all other people who want to drive safely this winter! It is perfectly acceptable to drive with manufactures reccomended tyres and wheels fitted.

Talk to the AUDI helpline.

But for goodness sake realise how stupid it is, NOT to maximise your safety margin.

DUNK

[robrob]

This is going round in circles Dunk.

I have no concerns. I have said twice already that I switched immediately to Audi Insurance who are happy for me to do this and I have saved myself money.

I have ordered the winter wheels and tyres from Audi.

As I mentioned above, everyone else is free to change wheel and tyres at will if they wish, and to inform their insurance companies if they wish to or not.