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08-15-2008, 11:35 PM | #1 |
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Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 vs. Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60
I live on a steep hill in New York. I am very concerned about climbing the hill in ice/snow. I also have a Toyota Sienna LE (FWD) on whcih I use steel wheels/WS-60 Blizzaks. They are really really good and I can always get up the hill. They ride squishy but I don't care. They feel really really safe.
I know there is a huge price difference between the tires below, but in the 16" size (128i convertible) wheels, the tire size is 205/55 R16 all around: ( I have a 128i coupe but I am swapping my standard 17" tire/wheel package for a 16" tire/wheel package from a Convertible 128i) Nokian has two choices: (One of them is runflat!) Link: https://www.tiresbyweb.com/p-7139-no...eliitta-5.aspx T443174 205/55R16 94 T XL $172 Quantity T442490 205/55R16 94 T XL Run Flat (!) $232 Quantity Bridgestone has one choice in Tube Multicell (non-run flat) Link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nSpeedRating=H Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 (Studless Ice & Snow) Overview | Specs | Warranty | Reviews | Test Results | Survey Results Sidewall Style: Blackwall Size: 205/55R16 Serv. Desc: 91R Price: $108.00 (each) Estimated Availability: 09/26/08 Optional Road Hazard Program: additional $12.96 per tire Which tire do you think has more traction? I am using these sizes on a 128i coupe with convertible 16" wheels. any comments, Gill? Why does Tire Rack not carry Nokian? Are they as good as Blizzaks? Does anyone from Scandinavia have any comments/comparisons? I realize I can also get the Nokians in 17" sizes, but the Bridgestone only makes the LM-25 in those 17" sizes, not the tube multicell WS-60. William |
08-16-2008, 09:24 AM | #2 |
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I had Nokians on my E46 in 16in. and never worried for a second if we got a snow/ice fall. I switched to the Bridgestone LM25 this past year (on the stock wheels) in 225/45-17 but we had very little snow to try them out in. My 1er will inherit the LM25's but I need to purchase 17in. wheels. I will probably switch to Nokian after these wear out. Nokians are the best for Winter driving.
My advice would be to get the Nokian Hakkapelitta's. Only trouble with them is trying to find who sells them. I puchased mine from BavAuto.com and I see tiresbyweb is another. |
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08-17-2008, 11:23 PM | #4 |
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Now I see on the Nokian website (Select Global, not USA) that they have a new Hakkapeliitta R tire. Any opinions on the Hakka R vs. the Hakka 5.
(Studless) tires by web has all the models in stock , and they come in runflats. |
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08-21-2008, 07:01 PM | #5 |
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Go with Nokian for sure. As for the Hakka 5 vs Hakka R, I think the Hakka 5 looks more agressive. Either way, those tires will be phenominal.
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08-22-2008, 09:04 AM | #6 |
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We don't carry Nokian so I can't say anything good or bad about them. I can say I've heard good things.
That being said, I've had a chance to test the Blizzak line extensively and I'm satisfied that I don't need to look any further for the best winter perfomance. Just my opinion, of course.
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08-22-2008, 01:41 PM | #7 |
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Hey Gill,
Are the Bridgestone Blizzak still made with the multi-cell compound? I have heard these are good winter tires for the first couple of seasons, then they tend to break down to a regular all season tire? I know Nokian uses the same compound through out. |
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08-22-2008, 01:54 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
These Blizzaks use the tube multi-cell coupound for the 1st 55% of the tire depth. The other 45% is a standard winter compound much the same as other winter tires, not all season tires. Winter tires, no matter the brand, are nearing the end of their useful life around 5/32nds. At this depth, they simply can't grab as much snow as they could when they were new. The 225/45/17 WS-60 starts at 12/32nd's new. It remains that compound until just over 5/32nds. Basically, you get to use the best of the compounding for nearly the entire time the tire is in service for you. When this compound is gone, the rest of this tire will be equal to it's competition at equal tread depth. There is no winter tire in the world that is "good" at 2, 3, or maybe even 4/32nds. Gill
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08-22-2008, 02:01 PM | #9 |
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I had Blizzak WS 50s and, most recently, WS 60s on my Honda S2000 for five years here in New Hampshire, with lots of snow and ice. I never had any problems and felt just as confident in the winter as my friends who drive AWD Audi A4s. I did notice the tread on the WS 50s, when new, felt bit squishy on dry roads. This feeling was gone with the WS 60s.
I just bought a set of WS 60s and KM 11 wheels from The Tire Rack for my new 135i. I expect they will be great this winter. |
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08-22-2008, 02:03 PM | #10 |
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Gill,
Is there any reason that Tirerack does not carry Nokian? Are there any plans (or a chance) that you guys will carry them in the future? I know they would likely be more expensive than the typical winter tire, but not that much more. Thanks.
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08-22-2008, 09:43 PM | #12 |
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TR headquarters is in the middle of the snow belt. They know what they are doing when they recommend a winter tire. I would put the Blizzaks up against any winter tire made. They got me out of some places my SVTF had no reason to be in. Nate
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08-22-2008, 11:14 PM | #13 |
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The thing is, Bridgestone doesn't make a Blizzak with the multi-cell compound in a RunFlat. They only make Blizzak LM-22 RFT tires in the 16" size (205/55/R16) and those aren't really a maximum traction Studless Winter tire. They have no choices in the 207/50 R17 size in runflats.... The WS-60 seems great and an improvement over the REVO1s currently on my Toyota Sienna FWD LE but I really want to keep the runflat feature for my 128i. So I am going with the Hakkapeliitta R 205/55/R16 (Runflat) on BMW 16" wheels from the 128i base convertible on my 128i coupe. They are $223 per tire which seems pricey but they are warranteed by my dealer for 5 years...
They also make a Hakkapeliitta 5 (Without Studs) in 205/50 R17 size (Runflat) for $323 per tire. (Ouch). The R is supposed to be the newest and best design. I think I'll go with WS-60s for my Sienna Van which carries a spare tire. I'll let everyone know how the Hakkas are after we get some snow. William |
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08-22-2008, 11:52 PM | #14 |
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I'll be running Bridgestone LM25's on 17" Winter wheels on my 135 and I have no worries. If I lived in New England or the snow belt I would get the WS60. I may try that tire in the future after these wear out. We had practically no snow in the Philadelphia area last Winter, but that is not the norm.
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