winter tire recommendation

[grindMARC]

Where did you get yours? You're talking about the Alpin's right?

I thought almost $1000 sounded like a lot.

What size tire did you go with on the 15" rims?

Yeah, I got the Alpin IIs.
I don't have the info with me. But they were the same size as the tirerack recommendation for the 15 inch wheel. 195/50s? Again, I don't remember exactly.

I got em from discounttiredirect.com. Info in previous post. Definitely speak with Andre. He cut the price for me.

 

[II-Savy]

$1000 dollars ? Are you kidding me? Guys why so much for snow tires? I will be taking videos of me accelerating with these $44 dollar snow tires on and you be the judge.

 

[1sty]

Actually the Alpins are pricing out at about $50 more than the Hakkas for the full vehicle. $900 for Hakkas on 16" steel rims and $950 for the Alpins on the same rims. Both prices were from the same dealer and included balancing and installation.

I just got Hakk 2 with studs installed for $480. I had wheels

 

[II-Savy]

480 ?

You do live in NH though....

 

[IRISH22]

Yeah, it was just a dusting when he dropped the car off, and probally had to dig it out of the tire place.

isnt N.H. gonna get like 2 ft??

 

[IRISH22]

I should have looked for some when I was up there last week. Now I spent all my money on christmas stuff, and these tires really SUCK!!!!

 

[1sty]

we've had about 6-7 inches since this morning.

 

[II-Savy]

Still snowing here but there isn't much as far as I'm concerned. I went out driving to check out my 400 dollar package nad holy crap! Best 400 I spent. I could boost in the snow! WOW!

 

[IRISH22]

we ended up getting at least a foot of snow, but of course you shovel at least 3 feet after the plows are done.
I was getting stuck all weekend with the stocks on the P5, I went to a local dealership and they happened to have a used set of Blizzaks. These things are like brand new!!!! Tires and 15 in rims $250.00! And holy s*** what a difference these make! They do a crappy job with the roads, but today was a breeze.

 

[DeputySherif]

One reason why tires and rims are so expensive now is DEMAND. Obviously, because it is the winter season, and now that significant amounts of snow are on the ground, people are just starting to get in the winter mode. There is no better time to raise prices due to demand. Another $15 dollars a tire is no big deal now to the consumer since they found out summer tires/bald tires dont perform in the snow....

 

[randallb]

I tried the Arctic Alpin...

...Anyone out there have any experience with Michelin Arctic Alpin vs. the Hakkapelitta's... [/B]

Last year I waited until it snowed, and then found out that Tirerack.com was sold out of 15" rims. This year I planned ahead, and bought the rims & 195/55-QR15 Michelin Arctic Alpins before Thanksgiving. Now that we had 2 feet of snow, I found they work great! Such an improvement over the stock tires in snow and slush.

In regard to pricing, do not confuse the Arctic Alpin with the Pilot Alpin. The Pilot version, which has a higher speed rating, would typically cost at least $25/tire more in 15". I paid about $85 per tire as I recall, plus about $40 per rim (there is also a Michelin $40 rebate in effect). Although Tirerack was a bit more expensive than some other vendors, they were the only ones that had 15" steelies (unless they are out now), and they included at no extra charge all new chromed lug nuts (the stocks may bottom out on the thinner steelie rims).

 

[grindMARC]

Re: I tried the Arctic Alpin...

Although Tirerack was a bit more expensive than some other vendors, they were the only ones that had 15" steelies (unless they are out now), and they included at no extra charge all new chromed lug nuts (the stocks may bottom out on the thinner steelie rims).

The stocker lugs worked fine our our P5 with 15-inch steelies. I have to figure out a way to return the $40 lug set that discounttiredirect sold us.

I have the Artic Alpins on my WRX. The friggin' rock. We put the Pilot Alpins on the P5. Aside from being loud, the stiffer sidewall makes you forget you're on a winter tire.