I am buying snow tires this week and I've narrowed my options down. I am running the tires on the stock 16" rims and am going to get a 195/55. I was thinking about getting steel rims for the winter but all the internet places seem to be out of stock and the local dealers want way to much so I'm sticking with the factory alloys, unless anyone can recommend a website and package they have ordered recently. Locally, the best tire deals I found where the blizzaks and the michelins, both are priced at $113 per tire installed. I read consumer reports winter tire tests and they gave the michelins a better rating in snow and ice traction and it was there top choice all around. Does anyone have these, and do you love them? Any advice?
Blizzak WS-50 or Michelin X-Ice
- Thread starter scheefdog
- Start date
I've heard both have great grip, but terrible treadwear. If you live further up north it wont be such an issue but if you're driving mostly on pavement all winter they will wear down quickly (My michelin arctic alpins lasted 2 winters)
Besides that you can't go wrong with either one.
Besides that you can't go wrong with either one.
Give Nokian a try - they don't wear as quickly on dry pavement like a lot of other winter tires do. Plus, you still get good traction and cornering ability, and they perform great in the snow (all kinds) and ice.
Even though the price of steelies might seem like a lot, consider that you'll have to pay each spring/fall to have the tires mounted/removed from your rims, which also wears them out. Do this a couple of times, and you've paid for the steelies. Plus, 15" is cheaper for tires than 16".
Even though the price of steelies might seem like a lot, consider that you'll have to pay each spring/fall to have the tires mounted/removed from your rims, which also wears them out. Do this a couple of times, and you've paid for the steelies. Plus, 15" is cheaper for tires than 16".
I looked into the Nokians, $165 a tire is a little more than I want to spend, and I've read the other tires have better grip. The cheapest 15" rims I found were $70!, like I said all of the internet places are out of stock. Most of my driving won't be on dry pavement, just driving my car to go skiing.
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- 2001 Pro 2.0 LX
I've narrowed my choices to the Alpin PA2 or the Blizzak LM-25. prob going with the LM-25
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- 2001 Pro 2.0 LX
yes, they'll last longerscheefdog said:
I just ordered some Dunlop Winter Sport M3's... Getting them this week. Plus it's just starting to snow in MN... so good timing 
The M3 have a top ranking on Tirerack, and should have much better tread life than the blizzaks.
For true snow traction, the Blizzak WS-50 or the Nokian dedicated winter tires will work the best. Plus the new Blizzak Revo 1's are very good, better ice traction then the WS-50, but looks like they would be a little worse in deep snow.
Any snow tire should be better than any all season... for the most part.
The M3 have a top ranking on Tirerack, and should have much better tread life than the blizzaks.For true snow traction, the Blizzak WS-50 or the Nokian dedicated winter tires will work the best. Plus the new Blizzak Revo 1's are very good, better ice traction then the WS-50, but looks like they would be a little worse in deep snow.
Any snow tire should be better than any all season... for the most part.
Ive had my ws50 goin on my 4th winter. Im pretty sure this will be my last winter on them but they have never failed me. Especially when i woke up january 1 2004 from my bender and my car was buried in 14" of snow. Dug out the front end and just drove my way out. Oh and they were on a car that was lowed 2" not my P5. I LOVE THEM.
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- 2001 Pro 2.0 LX
the WS-50 or LM-25?
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- 2001 Pro 2.0 LX
be very very very careful on dry pavement. they have been known to get people into crashes cause they suck in the dry. I read an article where they were comparing tires and the WS-50 were disqualified because they had such bad dry traction.
