Winter tires Oh no but it is still summer!

[Andrew@Aspec]

Thank you for the pm's.. keep them coming... we all need winter tires and there is nothing we can't try to get for you..

[Lucky1]

Okay, so for me it seems to have come down to two different packages. Both are 17" alloy wheels with 205/50R17 rubber but one package has 4 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60's with a Conti Comfort tire repair kit and the other is 4 Michelin X-Ice Xi2's. The Michelin package is going to cost between $100-$150 more. I'm leaning more towards the Michelins even though they are a newer tire and don't have the Blizzak's rep it sounds like they have a chance of wearing better than the Blizzak's while performing nearly as well. Plus it sounds as though they are quieter. No word on whether they have better rolling resistance (and thus hopefully better gas mileage I'm told).

What would you guys do? It's gonna cost me $100-$150 more for Michelin's PLUS I need to find the tire repair kit separately but based on vanBMW's experience I don't want worn out Blizzak's after two-three seasons. Fortunately I don't have to climb too many hills but would like the ability. And not wiping out and smashing my car due to ice would be nice too.

[mattYKZ]

I am trying to make the same decision at the moment. I have done more research on the WS-60's and hadn't checked the Xi2's much but having looked at those a bit more they look like a good option if the tread wear and ride noise is better but they still manage to provide excellent snow traction. Michelin claims they have 75% better wear than the WS-60...hmmm!

[magha]

im hearing good things about the Gislaved Nord Frost 5 anyone have experience with those? heard the ws60s are too soft in fact steelcase doesn't want to use those on my car!.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by magha

im hearing good things about the Gislaved Nord Frost 5 anyone have experience with those? heard the ws60s are too soft in fact steelcase doesn't want to use those on my car!.

There is a forum about them here. http://www.maxbimmer.com/forums/show....php?p=1076191

I also read that Yokohama IG20's are a good alternative to Blizzak's and wear much better. Haven't found too many reviews on them though and don't feel like experimenting on my first winter with a small RWD & 200+HP/TQ car. Tire Rack doesn't seem to carry them.

Choosing tires is too much of a headache and is starting to give me an ulcer...next time around I'm taking the best three talked about tires and eenie meenie miney mo'ing it. That system of decision never fails.

[mattYKZ]

I think I might go for the WS-60's, they have loads of miles reported on the tirerack site with good stats\feedback. They will definitely be softer than the performance versions but I'm thinking if the softer tread helps me when on ice\snow even once then it was worth it.

Last winter we had loads of snow and although it might be clear\cold a lot of the time I don't want to get stuck if they haven't cleared the roads yet etc.

[magha]

i know tell me about it i've been calling around for the last month!! think im gonna go with steelcase they are offering they're rim with the nordfrost 5s. im being told to put 225's but not entirely sure about that yet, might end up with the 205s.

[Lucky1]

Ordered 205/50R17 Michelin X-Ice Xi2s with some alloy rims. Paid $200 more than I would have for the Blizzak's and I still need to dump another $100 on the Conti Comfort Kit so $300 in total since the Blizzak's were gonna come with the kit.

For $300 extra I hope the tires are much quieter, good in deep snow and ice and actually wear better. Otherwise its kind of a gamble.

[ronster]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Ordered 205/50R17 Michelin X-Ice Xi2s with some alloy rims. Paid $200 more than I would have for the Blizzak's and I still need to dump another $100 on the Conti Comfort Kit so $300 in total since the Blizzak's were gonna come with the kit.

For $300 extra I hope the tires are much quieter, good in deep snow and ice and actually wear better. Otherwise its kind of a gamble.

Lucky, where did u order from? And how much?

Cheers...

[pushkin]

Did anyone hear anything about Falken Eurowinter HS439 Tires? I am wondering if they are any good...

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by ronster

Lucky, where did u order from? And how much?

Cheers...

Through my mechanic. I paid $1,700 for the rims, new bolts, tires (I think he priced the rubber at $266 a tire + $5.85 tire tax they introduced in Ontario this year) and mounting/installation. I don't think this is a deal by any stretch of the imagination as I would have paid much less out the door for the Blizzak's AND the Conti kit but since we do a lot of driving on dry pavement here in Toronto I don't want to replace Blizzak's every 2-3 years, thus making a short terms savings into a longer term cost.

BTW Active Green + Ross was selling the rubber for $230 a piece but somehow with steelie rims it ended up being $1,700 anyway.

Anyone monitoring www.redflagdeals.com ? Apparently they had a great special on Michelin winter tires very recently. I had a friend who always bought their tires through either Costco or Sams Club and always saved money.

[magha]

finally got my winters done got these bad boys from tires23 in mississauga. got these rims with hancook w409 for almost $1,400.

[aw_330i]

Originally Posted by magha

finally got my winters done got these bad boys from tires23 in mississauga. got these rims with hancook w409 for almost $1,400.

what size are the wheels? 17" ?
what size tire?

[mattYKZ]

Hi, They are 17x8 +40 I believe.

[magha]

yup bang on that's the wheel size

[ronster]

Originally Posted by magha

finally got my winters done got these bad boys from tires23 in mississauga. got these rims with hancook w409 for almost $1,400.

$1,400 taxes in?

[magha]

Yup

[cricri]

I got a set of general altimax arctic 205-55-16 with sport edition CD wheels and all hardware (new bolts and centering rings) from the tirerack. Came to 1100USD (1200cdn) all included, shipping took about 4 days to Montreal.

I used to buy high performance winters for my gti (last ones were goodyear ultragrip performance in 17") and they just don't do as well as regular winter tires on snow, and even when there was just a slight snow film on the pavement the traction would suffer. So I went back to grippy tires. The handling will be crap but what can you do. Also if you get a bubble in the sidewall (happens often on my 2 cars) consider the replacement cost when buying a performance tire.

[joeyg4282]

Originally Posted by magha

finally got my winters done got these bad boys from tires23 in mississauga. got these rims with hancook w409 for almost $1,400.

You gotta post pics of those....they look sweet.

Joe

[magha]

oh yea i will for sure, don't want it to get cold too soon though although part of me is itching to throw them on!!

[ronster]

Originally Posted by magha

oh yea i will for sure, don't want it to get cold too soon though although part of me is itching to throw them on!!

magha, did u end up getting 205/50/17 or 225/45/17 for the 17x8 rim?

[magha]

205/50 s