Snow tires/rims

[OldGreyMike]

Yes, I know it's only July, but not too soon to start thinking ahead, right? I have looked around on the various threads here and haven't found anything conclusive so far.

I just know that these stock 17s ain't gonna cut it after the first flake falls.

What have you "veterans" been using for snow tires/rims? Especially interested in what those of you in the Great White North of Canada may have found effective, since we're real close to you weather-wise.

 

[GoFast]

PM Ken(Captain KRM P5) He had a smoking deal last winter on a good set of snow tires and wheels and he may be able to still hook that up

 

[OldGreyMike]

Thanks for the tip, will give it a go.

 

[wmzda5]

Yes, I know it's only July, but not too soon to start thinking ahead, right? I have looked around on the various threads here and haven't found anything conclusive so far.

I just know that these stock 17s ain't gonna cut it after the first flake falls.

What have you "veterans" been using for snow tires/rims? Especially interested in what those of you in the Great White North of Canada may have found effective, since we're real close to you weather-wise.

I got Yoko IG20 since winter 07. used more than 5 months a year nov - apr I have 40k kms on the car already and the tire is still ok I think good for another 2-3 yrs. This is now on the factory wheels, my factory tires are on an ADR sokudo10

 

[rscottg]

Like many others, I went with the 16" option on my 5 GT for the winter. Same size as the stock GS and everything works fine.

The tires themselves were conti viking contact 3 - which worked well. I usually use Nokian tires, but the online place had a great deal, so I was able to outfit two cars (with rims).

 

[antlind]

I run a set of Yokohama AVD on the OE 17s for winter.
Cost a bundle and are ok in snow but not that effective on ice. I typically have to start off in 2nd gear to limit the wheel spin.....
Anthony

 

[remarquian]

I went with 16" Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25s wheel set. I decided on 16" wheels because they'd give better handling in the snow and if I hit a winter pothole I'd rather do it in a 16", plus 16" tires are substantially than 17" cheaper.

Originally, I was going to put them on steel rims, and had them priced out through TireRack, but I brought the TireRack quote into a DiscountTire, and they matched the price (around 760$US after rebates). The next day DiscountTire phoned up and told me they didn't have any steelies in stock and would I mind if they substituted an alloy rim at the same price.

It worked out great, as DiscountTire will seasonally change out the tires free, and since we put about 6K miles on them a season, this is my rotation. They are Performance Winter tires, so they handle like regular tires on dry pavement, and only sacrifice a bit of snow/ice capabilities. This works out well in Denver, where we have snow on the roads less than 5 percent of the time in winter, but when it does snow....

The only downside is they take up space in the garage.

 

[DKaz]

I got Yoko IG20 since winter 07. used more than 5 months a year nov - apr I have 40k kms on the car already and the tire is still ok I think good for another 2-3 yrs.

x2 I had Yoko iG20s as well on my Toyota Corolla, don't have them anymore obviously but it went from 11mm to 8.5mm tread in about 10,000km so I estimate they would last another 2 seasons and 20,000km before reaching the 4mm tread mark when they become useless in the snow. They were excellent on ice for studless tires and very good on snow with one slight area of concern - slushplaning. These are not the best tires on the market but compared to other tires at their price point these were by far the best tires you could get especially if you live in an area with a milder winter like Vancouver where ice is a much bigger culprit. Dry and wet traction was comparable to the OE all seasons. This winter though I'm going for the more expensive Michelin Xi2s as I want good dry and wet handling as well.

 

[major error]

If you have the money to spend, consider a set of Nokians (see my sig). I've had mine for 2 winters now, and still marvel at their performance. They are rather soft and marshmallow-y, but when the temperature drops, they're still nice and compliant long after other tires have turned into rocks.
The only downside is they aren't sold through discounters...

 

[DKaz]

The Nokian Hakkas are great tires if your area experiences typical snowy winter conditions.

These are questions you have to ask yourself:

What is the main culprit, snow or ice?
What is your driving style, spirited or safe?
Is there a lot of wet or dry weather driving involved?
Will temperatures exceed 7C/45F often?
What is your budget?

For example, if your main culprit is ice (not much snow), you like to drive spirited, there is a lot of wet and dry weather driving involved, and temperatures go above 7C half the time, and your budget is a bit higher (~$700 for a set of four 16" tires installed), Nokian WR G2 or Yokohama w.drive

 

[wmzda5]

Like many others, I went with the 16" option on my 5 GT for the winter. Same size as the stock GS and everything works fine.

The tires themselves were conti viking contact 3 - which worked well. I usually use Nokian tires, but the online place had a great deal, so I was able to outfit two cars (with rims).

So how was the conti viking contact 3

 

[red headz]

Don't worry, I am also looking for a set of 16" steelies w/ studless snows in July.(hi)

I'll PM captain also.

michael.

 

[rscottg]

So how was the conti viking contact 3

I'll be happy to stick with them for a few years. You really notice the difference when turning or changing lanes in icy ruts. You don't get the push you get with some tires. As with most winter tires, the lateral grip is amazing.

I have the same tires on an Acura EL (Civic). The tires on it worked very well, and I was way more aggressive than my new 5.

The 5 rode better and was quieter with the conti winters than with the stock Toyo's.

Mazda dealer in Canada wanted over 1300+ for a set of Blizzaks on the 5(with rims). I paid 1550 to outfit two cars with the conti's and that included shipping from tiretrends.

Most reviews for the tires are not in English, so finding information is not as easy as a more common tire.

I'm guessing the newest generation of winter tires are better than the conti viking 3's, but I'm happy with them.

 

[5phreak]

Michelin X-Ice (I think that's what they're called), mounted on 17" aftermarket alloys. Two winters in CT and I like them very much. I also like having alloys and not having to have ugly steel wheels for 6 months out of the year (half the car's life).

 

[DKaz]

But steelies are Mad Tyte JDM yo. Just like my old sig: