Winter Tire Review Thread (Please contribute)

[tinma]

Originally Posted by regal

I learned living in Wisconsin that the recommended smaller thinner wheels make a bigger difference than the snow tire brand. Have you considered a set of 16x6.5" wheels first ?

I am actually going to be using my oem rims for my winter tires.

[StormTrooper]

There is a fair amount of misguided information earlier in this post.

Continental owns general, tires are not the same line. Both are good.

more weight in the back will help you get moving but does no good when stopping or turning. It will not cause you to oversteer more than before.

Any winter tire will be much better than stock in the snow or ice.

[sklimo]

Anybody know if Dunlop Winter Maxx are any good??

[BRZNutt]

Just pulled the trigger on some 205/55-16 Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires mounted on steel wheels. $690.00 out the door from Tire Rack after the $60.00 rebate on the tires. I'll report back with how they do once it gets below freezing here.


**See update below** I ended up returning these and going with an alloy wheel and different tire. Fortunately, I didn't mount them yet, so Tire Rack let me return them.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by BRZNutt

Just pulled the trigger on some 205/55-16 Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires mounted on steel wheels. $690.00 out the door from Tire Rack after the $60.00 rebate on the tires. I'll report back with how they do once it gets below freezing here.

I have those in 17" flavor and have been through...oh god, 3 winters now? They're wonderful in my experience if you don't need ice spikes or a compound like the Blizzak.

[caradd]

Originally Posted by BRZNutt

Just pulled the trigger on some 205/55-16 Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires mounted on steel wheels. $690.00 out the door from Tire Rack after the $60.00 rebate on the tires. I'll report back with how they do once it gets below freezing here.

Just did the same thing except went with the basic 5 star wheel. Ordered yesterday got them today.

Looking forward to seeing how this car handles the snow.

[mrk1]

I ran general altimax last winter on the stock 17's. With a 50lb anvil in the trunk I got through more snow then I really wanted to take my brand new car. Only time it slows down is when the bottom starts to drag.

This season I have a truck for winter duties, generals will be going on the wifes jetta

[BRZNutt]

^^ Ha, those look familiar (tires, not wheels) I also got mine in one day from ordering them. I contemplated an alloy wheel, but decided to go the cheap steelie route. I actually like the JDM "stripper" model that comes with steelies, hence my avatar and start up screen on my radio. Those look great though. Post some pics when you get them mounted.

**See update below** I will admit that I am a vain hypocrite...

[FRyeS]

Got mine today as well - Continental EWC 205/55/16. I have no basis for comparison to other Winter tires, but we'll see how we do as we get through this season.

[Calbee]

Hey guys!

im gonna be picking up an fr-s soon and think i should probably have a set of winter tires.

being in vancouver, we don't get all that much snow, but it does get quite cold.

what would you guys suggest for a winter tire in my area?

looks like blizzaks and conti extreme seem to be the top choices around here

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Calbee

Hey guys!

im gonna be picking up an fr-s soon and think i should probably have a set of winter tires.

being in vancouver, we don't get all that much snow, but it does get quite cold.

what would you guys suggest for a winter tire in my area?

looks like blizzaks and conti extreme seem to be the top choices around here

Well, being in the Seattle area, where we don't get that much snow either, I put on a set of Goodyear Eagle Sport A/S tires.

So far, they are performing good on cold, wet and dry roads. They are relatively quiet and smooth riding. I haven't had a chance to try them in the snow.

humfrz

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by Calbee

Hey guys!

im gonna be picking up an fr-s soon and think i should probably have a set of winter tires.

being in vancouver, we don't get all that much snow, but it does get quite cold.

what would you guys suggest for a winter tire in my area?

looks like blizzaks and conti extreme seem to be the top choices around here

Nokian WR are most suitable for your location. KAL Tire is the dealership for Nokian in Canada and they are reliable experts.

Vancouver never gets cold enough for you to need studless rubber and is often warm enough in winter you need all weather tires. Nokian makes the only one with a decent winter tread.

Pirelli Sottozeros would be my choice however as these rock on bare roads. A set is on my BRZ right now and we're to get snow tomorrow. Looking forward to driving sideways again.

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by FRyeS

Got mine today as well - Continental EWC 205/55/16. I have no basis for comparison to other Winter tires, but we'll see how we do as we get through this season.

All around the very best winter tire you can buy right now. I have two sets on two of my cars and my daughter has a set on her Subaru Impreza up North in NWT. Awesome all around performance on snow, ice or bare roads. We even drove it from Calgary to Yellowknife on those winter Contis this summer and they worked fine even if a bit squirrelly when it gets really warm. Fantastic tire.

Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 might just be better but it is brand new.

[Sarlacc]

SvF Le Mans 7x16 ET45 rims.
First test drive on snow and ice today, very happy.
Superb grip on ice and hard packed snow, great in snow, OK on wet and dry roads.
Low noise, good comfort.