The 7 Best Tires for the Audi S5
The Audi A5 ranks among the very best sports sedans on the market thanks to its powerful engine, aggressive bodykit, and a cabin that is beautifully built from the finest materials. There’s plenty of tech inside too, as well as lots of room in the front seats.
Yet I have one complaint about the S5 – it eats tires like crazy, especially those in the mid-range price bracket. A bit of negative camber in the rear wheels means that ordinary rubber would be gone before you could even think of replacing your tires.
This is why it’s essential that you pair the S5 with premium high-performance tires. Sure, these tires would blow a hole in your pocket upon purchase. But they will soften the initial blow with long tread life, excellent road manners, and plenty of personality.
Read on to find the best tires for your Audi S5.
Best Performance Tires for Audi S5
There are several reasons why most Audi S5 drivers pick performance tires. Besides improving this car’s dynamic capabilities, these tires also enhance braking performance. You can thus count on them to deliver a more engaging and spirited driving experience.
#1. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+
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The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+ can enhance every single quality of your S5.
Start with performance. This tire’s extremely low rolling resistance (for an all-season HP tire) means it will let you fully exploit the power supplied by the S5’s gutsy engine. Which is great news, considering that the S5 is already very punch for a small sports sedan.
Next comes comfort. One of the things that distinguishes this tire from peers is that it’s comfortable to drive. An ability to smoothen bumps without minimal fuss allows this tire to keep the cabin quiet. This means you can count on this tire to make the front seats even comfier.
Then there’s fuel economy. Many drivers I have spoken to claim that the DWS 06+ goes one step ahead of its predecessor in terms of improving mileage. As such, it can potentially improve your S5’s fuel economy, which is already pretty good for a sport sedan.
Another good thing about this tire is that it comes with a treadwear warranty. And not just any. A class-leading 50,000-mile guarantee. That warranty is so high that those who don’t know better might mistake that it comes with an all-season touring tire.
Pros
- Decent dry, wet, and light snow performance
- Excellent treadwear warranty for an all-season high-performance tire
- Offers better fuel economy than the Mazda 3’s stock tires
Cons
- Higher price point
#2. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
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Several qualities make the Pilot Sport All Season 4 one of the best tires for Audi S5.
Start with the fact that it stays useful year-round. Now, I know that every all-season high-performance tire makes this claim. But the PS AS4 is one of the few that puts it money where its mouth is. As such, you won’t find it losing grip in inclement weather.
Speaking of inclement weather, many AS UHP tires become prone to aquaplaning on wet roads. Luckily, that isn’t the case with this tire. Thanks to the rain channels and wide grooves in its tread, it doesn’t let a thin film develop between the rubber and the road.
Similar good things can be said about the tire’s dry handling. The PS AS4 hugely impresses with its cornering grip and dry braking distances. Plus, its steering response is pretty quick, meaning you can execute quick lane changes with complete control.
The good news continues in the treadwear department. A 45,000-mileage guarantee indicates that an average American driver can expect to get up to three years out of this tire.
Pros
- Best-in-class wet performance
- Sharp and responsive handling
- Decent treadwear warranty
Cons
- Average noise levels
#3. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
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If for some reason you cannot get your hands on the DWS 06 + (reports indicate that these tires have been discontinued in the UK), Pirelli’s P Zero All Season Plus are your next best choice.
Mainly because these tires perform confidently throughout the year (a few reviews I have read state that they are Michelin levels when it comes to wet performance). Which I suspect is true as they have a zigzag pattern on the tread to improve wet grip.
Things stay the same on dry roads as well. The P Zeros are one of those tires that offer such an excellent road grip that you want to play around behind the wheel, even if you aren’t a speed enthusiast.
Speaking of speed enthusiasts, those of you who think of yourself as one would find it good to note that this model is uber-responsive. Its handling is also pretty good. You can thus execute quick lane changes while also enjoying excellent lateral stability.
To further up the ante, Pirelli backs this model with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Pros
- Excellent handling and steering response
- 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Superb performance in dry conditions
Cons
- Feedback feels a bit muted
#3. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
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The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is worth a shot if you regularly push the S5 to its limits.
The recommendation would seem surprising, considering these tires cost less than the competition (I’m talking about Michelin’s Pilot Sport 5 here). Yet, despite the price difference, the Asymmetric 6 holds its own in pretty much every area that counts for enthusiasts.
Think of dry braking, wet handling, and dry handling. Tests conducted by 3rd parties indicate that the Asymmetric 6 is class-leading in all three. This tire also leads the category in terms of wet lateral handling, while its rolling resistance is also pretty low.
It also fares pretty well in terms of road noise, which is surprising given that you expect ultra-high-performance tires to be noisy. In tests conducted by Auto Bild, the Asymmetric 6 (245/40 R19) finished top inroad noise and rolling resistance.
Yet, there is one area where the Asymmetric 6 could do better. Their aquaplaning resistance is average, if not below average, for tires in this category. That means you’d do well to take your foot off the accelerator on wet roads.
Pros
- Best-in-class dry braking distances
- Offers responsive and sharp handling
- Noise levels are on the lower end of the spectrum
Cons
- Average aquaplaning resistance
#4. Yokohama AdvanSport A/S+
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If you’re looking for a good high-performance all-season tire that won’t break the bank, check out Yokohama’s AdvanSport A/S+.
These tires are made with an all-season compound that works well in different weather conditions, like rain and snow. They are especially good at helping you stop safely and reliably in wet weather, making them an ideal candidate for driving in the snow.
A dual-pattern tread pattern should also translate into reliable all-season performance. One of the sides (the one featuring grooves and patterns) ensures better grip on slippery surfaces, whereas the other is specially designed to improve dry grip.
What’s more, despite being performance tires, the AdvanSport A/S+ has plenty of features to keep the cabin quiet. Take the four-pitch variation in the tread pattern. Besides absorbing vibrations, it deflects noise to ensure a comfortable driving experience.
Best of all, these tires come with a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty. This suggests that you should get at least three years of decent dry/wet performance.
Pros
- Perform well in various weather conditions
- Offers a plush and noise-free ride
- Comes with a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Falls slightly behind top competitors in terms of overall dry grip
Best All-Season Tires
Audi S5 drivers who prioritize year-round convenience and versatility should opt for all-season tires, as they deliver a balanced performance in various weather conditions, including dry, wet, and light snow. This means you won’t have to keep another set.
#1. Michelin CrossClimate 2
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Do you use the S5 for daily driving? If so, the CrossClimate 2s are your best bet.
Just like every tire in the Cross Climate series, the 2’s perform reliably regardless of whether the roads are dry, wet, or buried under layers of snow. In fact, these are among the few all-season tires I trust to keep my ride safe in harsh wintry conditions.
Why do I rate them so highly? Thanks to the V-Ramp chamfers (water channels) and aggressive biting edges on their tread.
The former ensures that any water particles that enter the tread are evacuated before they can stay and invite the risk of aquaplaning. As for the biting edges, they keep this tire firmly planted on the tarmac, even during inclement weather.
There’s one more reason I trust these tires to stay useful 365 days a year – the M+S (Mud and Snow) and 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) emblems on the tread. Both these symbols indicate that CrossClimate 2 has what it takes to tackle snow and ice.
All of the above isn’t to say that these tires are faultless. Their treadwear warranty (60,000 miles) is pretty low for any model in this category.
Pros
- Comes with 3PMSF and M+S emblems
- Offer superb stability on snow-covered roads
- Decent performance on slippery surfaces
Cons
- Average treadwear warranty (60,000 miles)
Best Winter Tires
Do you live in a region with harsh winter conditions? Have to drive in heavy snowfall and on icy roads? If so, you should opt for winter tires.
#1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
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The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 continues to be one of our top winter tire picks, even though it was launched in the previous decade.
That is because it leads the category in several indicators, including snow braking distances, snow traction, and wet cornering grip. On all three counts, this tire is a clear winner over many of its rivals, including Michelin and Continental’s flagship winter tires.
Even in areas where it doesn’t lead the category – cabin noise, wet handling, and dry braking – this tire ranks among the top performers. For instance, its noise levels are pretty low for a winter tire, meaning you can enjoy a quiet ride in harsh conditions.
Its rolling resistance is also pretty low, per tests conducted by one of the UK’s leading automobile magazines. This means that not only you can count on this model to fully exploit the power outputted by your S5’s engine. But you will also get decent fuel savings.
Pros
- Boasts class-leading and snow grip
- Will keep things quiet inside the cabin
- Consumes less fuel than rivals
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
Conclusion
The Audi S5 is the ultimate performance car for a shrinking violet. Not only does it get around unbelievably quickly, but it is also far more practical than people give it credit for.
The dynamic capabilities of this car demand that you pair it with tires that can enhance its power and agility. Only then you’d be able to get a driving experience that is both thrilling and safe.