you don't need studs, continental extreme contact dws are the best tires for chasing snow around colorado in an awd car.
I've been running 18" Conti Pure Contacts for about 8k miles now. Initially, I didn't love the tire but they handled good so I decided to keep them. Recently had them rebalanced and rotated which that made a difference. Ride is firmer than Michelin's or OEM Contis but this is one of the best handling tire I've owned on any of my cars. Hydroplaning resistance and snow traction for an all season tire is excellent.
I have had Conti DW performance summer tires on my TDI for over a year, now, and run them between 40 - 41 psi. For me, that is a good compromise between handling and comfort, and gives the added benefits of longer tire life and better fuel economy. Note, however, that the standard sport suspension on the US TDI, while about equal in handling to the GTI on real roads, is a bit softer and more forgiving on bad roads. Also, 16" wheels help and are better suited to the chassis than 17" wheels.
four tires (Continental DW)
If its the tires its time to invest in some Continental DWS
I replaced the OE tires with Continental DWS tires and they've been pretty solid. I've got 35k on them at this point and they have good tread remaining. However, I took my car in for rotation recently and they informed me the tires were cupping really badly.
Mine actually came with Continental Pro contact tires. However, I did buy it certified pre owned with 24k miles so I'm not sure if the PO changed them before trading. Whichever, this tires are pretty damn good!!! I'm used to buying Falken Ziex performance tires which I have had on all my previous cars but these seem a lot better. Might have to stick with these now....
Getting around in falling snow packed down I was struggling to get going on some slightly hilly residential hills. I do have the Continental PureContact w/EcoPlus tires and they seem better than the OEM Turanzas during my first 2 winters with the car. Otherwise, the Contis are decent in the snow for stopping and cornering and excellent in the rain
I've heard some awesome things about the continental extreme contact tire in snowy conditions.
When the tires are new, or in the first half of their wear, they are almost identical in their performance--both quiet, good wet/dry weather performance and decent in the snow. *But* when I had my bimmer, the Conti's got seemingly harder and louder on the second half of their wear---which is normal for almost any tire with not much tread left.
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