The 9 Best Tires for the Audi S4

#1. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4

Several qualities make the Pilot Sport All Season 4 one of the best in its class.

The first of which is that it performs reliably year-round, even when there’s snow on the roads. A flexible tread compound and multiple sipes make sure that this model is as useful on dry roads as on slippery surfaces. Thus, you won’t have to replace it year-round.

Its hydroplaning resistance and wet traction are also second to none. The credit for this goes to the exceptionally wide grooves and rain channels on the sides. In evacuating water, the grooves keep the contact patch dry, thereby making this a capable rain tire.

Similar good things can be said about this tire’s dry handling. While not a performance tire, the Pilot Sport 4’s cornering grip and dry braking distances resemble those of the type. Small wonder, then, I’m recommending it for a sporty sedan like the Audi S4.

Yet, there is one area where this tire could have done better. Take the 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is at least 15,000 miles lower than what premium all-season tires come with these days.

#2. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus

Given that it’s an all-season, high-performance tire, it shouldn’t surprise you that the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus offers the best of both worlds.

Start with its all-season allegiances. The DWS 06 Plus has the features – all-season tread compound, macro edges for sipes, and grooves for water evacuation – that any tire needs to offer a safe driving experience, regardless of whether the roads are dry or wet.

Even in rainy conditions, this tire is marvellous. Accelerate it hard from a stop, and there won’t be a hint of slippage. Throw it at full speed into a bend, and oversteer as well as understeer won’t enter the picture. All of this makes it a reliable tire for wet roads.

Comfort and noise levels are also pretty good, though they aren’t as high as you get from dedicated all-season tires. That is not to say that you’ll have to endure a harsh ride during everyday commutes. As long as the roads are paved, the ride will stay refined.

The good news rolls into the warranty side of things. Continental backs the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus to last 50,000 miles, an impressive number considering it’s an all-season, high-performance tire.

#3. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus 3

The Pirelli P Zero All-Season Plus 3 improves on its predecessor in almost every aspect.

That isn’t something to be taken lightly. The P Zero All Season Plus (yes, Pirelli skipped over the P Zero AS Plus 2 name) offers outstanding performance in various weather conditions. So, the fact that it’s an improvement means the All Season Plus 3 should be hitting class-leading levels.

That is precisely what this tire does. Tests conducted by Pirelli show that the P Zero All Season Plus 3 boasts 4 percent improved traction on dry surfaces, 10 percent shorter braking distances in wet conditions, and a whopping 20 percent reduction in the snow.

Pirelli also claims this tire lets in 1.2 decibels of noise lower than the previous-gen tire. To further sweeten the deal, rolling resistance and wear rate have nosedived by 10 and 25 percent, translating into high fuel economy and extended road life.

Best of all, it comes with a class-leading 55,000-mile treadwear warranty. That is a huge catch for a tire over $300 cheaper than rivals.

#4. Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate

The Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate possesses the best of high-performance, all-season tires.

An all-season tread compound combined with an asymmetric tread pattern helps this tire evenly balance things between ride comfort and performance. This combo also improves this tire’s dry and wet braking distances, making it a capable year-round performer.

Next comes the pairing of the internal 2-ply cord and reinforced casing. This partnership keeps the tire stable even when you’re pushing your S4 to the max. The combo also improves this tire’s responsiveness during cornering, making for a controlled driving experience.

Goodyear’s Active Grip Technology also deserves a mention. Besides ensuring even distribution of pressure, it improves this tire’s handling in the wet. The result? An extended tread life as well as reduced risk of blow-ups during driving at higher speeds.

A 45,000-mile treadwear warranty further sweetens the deal, implying up to three years of road life for the average American driver.

#5. Continental ContiSport Contact 7

The ContiSport Contact 7 isn’t your average ultra-high-performance tire.

Mainly because your standard UHP tire isn’t as devastatingly good on wet roads. This tire’s grip in wet conditions is so high you may not even notice the roads’ slipperiness. Neat and capable, the ContiSport Contact 7 delivers a confident performance on wet roads.

A best-in-class aquaplaning resistance is another reason why I rate it so highly. Aquaplaning is a phenomenon in which water builds up inside a tire, leading to loss of traction and control. Luckily, that is something you won’t have to worry about with this tire.

Its dry braking distances are among the shortest in the category. In road tests, this tire stopped 0.5 meters short of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. The same story repeated in the dry handling tests, though Goodyear’s flagship UHP tire occupied the 2nd place this time.

Yet there are areas where it disappoints. Its rolling resistance is among the highest of the market’s leading UHP tires. So be ready for more trips to the gas station.

#6. Michelin Pilot Sport 5

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the newest member of one of the market’s most famous UHP tire families. Luckily, it justifies the hype with its features.

The outer side of the tread (around 60 percent) features rigid, broader blocks to minimize heat build-up. This not only helps the tire boast improved wear characteristics. Quick heat evacuation also makes this tire a consistent performer on dry roads.

The inner portion (around 40 percent) takes care of wet performance. Featuring large grooves and a high void ratio, it makes the Pilot Sport 5 a capable performer on oily roads. And in doing so, it plays its part in shortening this tire’s wet braking distances.

There are other aspects where it’s the leading sports tire out there. Think of dry handling (where it finished 1^st in tests conducted by Auto Bild), rolling resistance (much lower than the ContiSport Contact 7), and handling (befitting a premium UHP tire).

All in all, if you want to equip your S4 with the market’s favorite UHP tire and are willing to pay a pretty penny for it, the Pilot Sport 4 is a must-have.

#7. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Around the same time in 2022 that Michelin released Pilot Sport 5, Goodyear came up with a direct competitor in the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. Comparisons were thus given.

Despite the price difference (the Pilot Sport 5 costs significantly more), the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 gives its competitor a run for its money in several key aspects, including dry braking, dry handling, and wet braking when worn out. Tests conducted by 3^rd parties confirm this.

Also, while summer tires are rarely quiet and comfortable, the Asymmetric 6 is an exception. Now, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it rivals models from Goodyear’s touring lineup. But what I would say is that it’s much quieter than most rival performance tires.

As you might guess, there are areas where the Pilot Sport 5 fares better. For instance, its wet braking distances are much longer than the rivals. Aquaplaning resistance is also pretty average.

Yet, the fact that the Asymmetric 6 can not only stand up to but also fare better than a tire costing almost many times as much explains why budget-minded speed enthusiasts prefer it over Michelin’s flagship UHP tire.

#8. Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Given the fact that it was only released a few years ago, the Potenza Sport isn’t as famous as some of its rivals above. Yet its performance is every bit as inspiring.

How can I be so sure? No ordinary tire can grab first place in tests conducted by leading automobile magazines in Germany and England. That the Potenza Sport finished atop the ranking charts of Auto Bild and Sport Auto testifies to its sheer brilliance.

There’s another thing you must know about the Potenza Sport – it’s the OE (original equipment) tire for the Maserati MC20 and Lamborghini Huracan STO sports cars. So, if it’s good enough for these two muscle cars, it should be good enough for the S4.

Bridgestone is so confident about this tire’s performance that it ships it with a 90-day buy-and-try warranty. You read that right. If you’re unsatisfied with the Potenza Sport within the first 3 months of its purchase, you can simply have your money back.

#9. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5

The Hakkapeliitta R5 is an excellent tire for areas where winters are frigid and wet.

Similar to almost every other tire from Nokian, the R5 has been developed and tested in Ivalo, one of the northernmost regions of one of the most northernmost regions of the world (Norway). You can thus count on it to slug out in harsh, wintry conditions.

Need proof? It’s time to get technical. Estimates by Nokian claim that the R5 contains 40% more blocks than the R3, its exceedingly popular predecessor. The tire manufacturer further claims that this model has 4% more rubber touching the road surface.

The result? A 5.6-meter reduction in braking distances. And it isn’t just its predecessor that this model outperforms. Tests conducted by 3^rd parties show its ice handling and braking, snow braking, and ice traction are right up there with the best.

All of the above isn’t to say that this model is without its shortcomings. Unlike at least one of its leading competitors (Michelin X-Ice Snow), there is no treadwear warranty on offer.