Looking for winter tires

"PowderHound" (PowderHound)
10/29/2013 at 19:11 • Filed to: None

Hello Oppo! Been a minute. I am looking for winter tires and can go either studded or not. Would like to mount to the wheels I have now and make them my winter wheels. Current tires are 205/55/r16. Any thoughts on the matter?

DISCUSSION (18)

desertdog5051 > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:14

Move to the Western Mountain states. Buy chains. Enjoy life. Oh, you did move to the mountain states. Still buy chains. They make life so much easier when you need that traction. Tip: practice putting them on before you need them.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:16

I ran some Firestone Winterforces and loved them.

Averyrm - GTI YUP > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:17

I have Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s. They're great for cold weather performance, and decent in the snow. I'd recommend Blizzak or x-ice if you're looking for more of a true snow.

PowderHound > desertdog5051
10/29/2013 at 19:17

Nah I would rather live in the mountains

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:19

Hankook Winter iPike W409's. They're about $ 100 each (I have the same size tire you do), so they're not too expensive, plus they have holes for studs if you'd like to go that route.

Ninja Edit: I used a discount coupon when I bought mine, but the Hankooks are pretty cheap compared with how well they perform.

dogisbadob > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:21

Where are you? How much snow do you get? Hills/mountains?

If it's just for the cold and not really that much snow, consider the Hankook icept evo (fairly cheap) or Yokohama Wdrive (fairly expensive) maybe the Nokian WRG2

Otherwise, the Nokian Hakka or Dunlop Wintermaxx. For a more affordable option, there is the Hankook iPike

PowderHound > Averyrm - GTI YUP
10/29/2013 at 19:21

Definitely going to be needing a true snow tire. The gnarlier the better

MooseKnuckles > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:22

General Altimax Artics. Amazing performance and good price. Can be studded.

Klaus Schmoll > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:23

You can fit skinnier tires onto those wheels than 205. Maybe 195 or even less, they will just put more weight of the car onto the ground. I'd explore that option.

And I'm quite satisfied my Contis but I think that most tyres from a top brand will be quite close. No idea about studded tires as they were outlawed over here in the 60s due to the damage they cause to road surfaces.

PowderHound > dogisbadob
10/29/2013 at 19:25

Park City up in the hills on dirt roads. Going to be needed something for some substantial snow hopefully

desertdog5051 > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:28

But chains provide so much more traction.

Averyrm - GTI YUP > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:31

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js…

Blizzak WS70

Vi517, JDX Racing > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:47

I use the Continental ExtremeWinterContacts and they work brilliantly in all conditions. It will be the only winter tire I will get in the future, unless they don't come in that size. I've heard Bridgestone is also good.

The Vibe Guy, Apparently > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 19:51

Check your local Craigslist. There's usually some people selling sets of winter tires with or without rims. My car's original tire size was 205/55/16, but I run a set of 195/65/15s without a problem. I run Firestone Winterforce tires, and highly recommend them. I can trudge through VERY deep snow in my lowered car, and do better than most 4wds out there (on all-seasons). I've never doubted them. However, if ice is going to be a primary concern, I've heard good things about Michelin X-Ice, or studding the Winterforce tires. Another perk of the Winterforce tires: SCCA rallycrossers (basically autocross on dirt) give them the thumbs up, and I expect I'll find out why next season.

RotaryLover > PowderHound
10/29/2013 at 20:32

Nokian Hakkalippetta (dont know how it's spelled properly, too lazy for google search). Best tires ever!!!!! You dont even need to go studless. I bought 2 winters worn ones on my 3 for 250$, and they grip better than brand new blizzacs!

Takuro Spirit > MooseKnuckles
10/29/2013 at 20:33

This. I ran them on my Subaru (too grippy, no fun) and my Camry (fun).

For the price they can't be beat, unless Firestone makes the Winterforce in the size you want (usually taller narrow tires).

JEM > The Vibe Guy, Apparently
10/30/2013 at 11:20

I'd like to second the Firestone Winterforce ones as well. Had those studded on my Tiburon and they were excellent.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > PowderHound
10/30/2013 at 14:13

I would skip the studs. They are really only helpful on ice and hurt traction on bare roads. The roads in Park City don't actually get too bad. The only places you'll see really heavy snows on the roads are heading up the Cottonwoods and even those get cleaned off pretty quick.

I'm running Dunlop Wintersport 3D's on my STI and love them. They've been great for me and we get a ton of snow where I live. Looks like $102 each from Tirerack , plus whatever mounting & balancing will cost you.