I STUMBLED across this on Twitter last night: Poole Audi is launching its first winter wheel and tyre programme.
Now that, I thought, showed initiative. It is apparently, going to be part of a national programme for every Audi dealer. And it just shows what reaction there has been to last winter’s severe snow. Audi now joins BMW, Mercedes, ATS Euromaster and Kwik-Fit Fleet all offering such a service.
Of course, now that we have the opportunity to have better grip in winter thanks to winter tyres, we shall of course have the mildest winter on record no doubt.
Chris Ryu, Audi Poole’s marketing specialist explained the advantages of cold weather tyres: “Winter tyres bring significant advantages over regular ‘summer’ tyres in temperatures below seven degrees centigrade where they provide more grip.
“We are also offering customers a free set of wheel and tyre storage bags (see picture) worth £25 while we have them.” You do have to pre-order by 25 September to take advantage of this offer, though.
What are you likely to pay? Chris has this price list for a set of four alloy wheels, winter tyres and storage bags:
- A3 16-inch five-arm design Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D £840
- A4 17-inch five-arm design Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D £1120
- A4 allroad 17-inch five-arm design Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D £1200
- A6 17-inch five-arm design Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D £1120
- A6 allroad 17-inch five-arm design Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 £1400
- Q5 17-inch five-arm design Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D £1160
- Q7 18-inch seven-arm design Dunlop Grandtrek WT M2 £1480
Winter wheels and tyres why they are 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
Chris also tells me that the services from Audi Poole won’t we just confined to those on the south coast. “We are also just about to launch a new Audi Accessories, Parts and Merchandise store,” Chris explained, “where any Audi driver in the country can visit us online to purchase genuine Audi parts and have them delivered to their door.”
But the key point is this – if you want to stay mobile over winter, getting a set of winter tyres is a sound idea: whichever car you drive.
Business Car Manager – Editor’s Blog
