Snow-state FieSTa oppos...

"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2) 10/28/2015 at 13:14 • Filed to: tires, snow, fist life

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.Its cold and rainy today, and have once again been reminded how abjectly shitty these Michelin xIce xI3s are. Despite their exceptional tread wear, I am resolved to NOT go through another Vermont winter with these pretend-snow-tire pieces of shit on my beloved Pickle. I honestly have NO CLUE how these things are rated so highly on TireRack. The only things they are any good at are dry roads and chruning through deep powder. They have THE WORST braking performance I have ever experienced in a snow tire and the wet performance is frankly frightening. So, I have 15 and 17 inch wheels for the FieSTa... What snow solutions are y’all running, what sizes, and how do you feel about them? If only the Dunlop WinterSport line were available in sizes to fit the FieSTa....

Rico > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 13:28

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First time I’ve heard of someone not being satisfied with those. What about Nokian hakkapeliitta’s? Those seem to be the gold standard.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Rico 10/28/2015 at 13:35

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year, Hakk R2s are probably what I’m gonna end up with, or maybe Hankooks... I just wish the WinterSports came in a size that fit the FieSTa. Best compromise tires I’ve ever owned...

in any case, a buddy of mine also got xI3s for his Saab 9-3turboX (based on the excellent ratings on TireRack) and he feels the same way I do. He hates them with a passion and agrees that although they have decent dry road handling and churn pretty well they have AWFUL braking in all conditions and are frighteningly bad in the rain. He had Hankooks before... And until the FieSTa the last three vehicles I have owned wore WinterSports.

DrJohannVegas > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 13:36

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I’m having the same struggle right now. My old set of Conti ExtremeWinterContact (edit: wrong name, derp.) probably don’t have a whole season left in them, and I am looking at the updated “Si” version, but there’s no review on them. Alternatively, the Dunlop offerings might be good, or there’s always the Blizzak and Nokian options.

FazeRacer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 13:46

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I like my Toyo Garit KXs. Loud but they work well (and I have them on a rwd car with SIGNIFICANTLY more hp than a FieSTa).

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > DrJohannVegas 10/28/2015 at 13:48

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The blizzaks have such gummy, wobbly, toothless handling :/ I have considered the Dunlops, based on my love of the WinterSport 3D, but I understand that Nomian has finally fixed their issues with belt separation, and the last Hakks (NRWs) I had on my Alfa were quite good, aside from the three warranty replacements I went through... I Wish I could find some comparisons between the WR G3s and tires I’m familiar with...

jjhats > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 13:48

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i bought blizzaks for my fost on craigslist. hoping for good things

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > FazeRacer 10/28/2015 at 13:54

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OH! Holy shit, I had no idea those were available in 15" sizes! 195/55-15 is perfect... Tell me more about them?

jariten1781 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 13:59

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Weird, I’ve had no issues with X-ices...had them on the GTI for like 4 years and they seem to perform fine. Maybe the FiST is too light?

Anyhow, I'm running Blizzak WS60s on 15s for my FiST. No complaints.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 14:05

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I enjoy the General Altimax Arctics I have on my Miata. The crappy all seasons I have are TERRIBLE in anything remotely wet so the General Arctics do great in the wet in comparison, regardless of the temperature. They certainly shine on cold, dry pavement as well as actual powder but I would recommend them for all winter conditions. I have them on 15 inch steelies. I figure if they work well on a Miata, you should have no trouble with them on a FiST

BREADwagon > Rico 10/28/2015 at 14:11

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Came here for Nokian, it’s just nigh impossible to find them. I have Mich Xices on my FocuST, and the car is just wobbly. Looks like they’re wearing fine, though.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > jariten1781 10/28/2015 at 14:13

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y’know, I thought the same thing, that the FieSTa was too light, at first... But then my buddy got them for his Saab and had the exact same complaints I did... I also ran 205-section WinterSport 3Ds on my Elantra Touring, which works out to a lower PSI on the ground than the FieSTa on 195s, and they were great!... I keep hearing the same thing over and over again from my internet interactions, but the only two people I know in person who have xI3s (me and my buddy with the 9-3 turboX) both agree they are shit, and I don’t want to deal with them another winter... I'm trying to avoid the used-chewing-gum sidewall feel of the blizzaks if I can...

jariten1781 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 14:19

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Yeah, don't know what to tell ya...our Xices have been champs.

The Blizzaks also are loud as fuck in the rain...it’s kinda crazy actually. And yup, they’re total marshmallows, which I actually prefer the sidewall flex since my area turns into a moonscape with potholes over the winter...definitely not the best for spirited dry driving though, I’d agree with that.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 10/28/2015 at 14:25

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I had last generation Altimax’s on my Buick.. They were fine, asside from no pretense at being a performance tire at all... They’re in the consideration pile along with the Hakka R2s. I’ve just been so spoiled by the Dunlop WinterSports that I hate to give up so much responsiveness for winter traction... *sigh* #firstworldproblems

TheOnelectronic > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 14:33

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I’m glad I’m not the only one who had a terrible experience with the Michelins.

FazeRacer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 14:35

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They are good all-round winter performance tires. In wet and icy conditions I’ve never had trouble. In deeper snow I have to be careful accelerating from a stop, but I doubt that will be an issue in your car. My only complaint is they are FUCKING LOUD!!!!.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 14:40

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Blizzaks have worked well for us the past few years. We don’t really drive hard in the winter and the roads aren’t the greatest in winter here. LISTEN TO THE PARKING ORDINANCES PEOPLE.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > FazeRacer 10/28/2015 at 14:50

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Fucking loud I can live with, if they don’t trigger the ABS in morning traffic on my normal comute when it’s raining and 45 degrees...

FazeRacer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 15:03

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Nope, never had trouble with that. It’s a little easier to get the car to oversteer using the throttle but that’s compared to decent summer tires. Again, doubt that’s an issue your car will have lol.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 15:18

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Well do “performance” and “winter” really belong in the same category? I might change my tune if I ever get into ice racing, but otherwise safety and comfort become my priority in the winter.

Smoggi - powered by 3 cylinders > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 15:24

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ContiWinterContact TS850 if you can get them in your size in the US.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Smoggi - powered by 3 cylinders 10/28/2015 at 15:26

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Only available in compatible size with a 16” rim... I already have 15s and 17s :/

edit: sweet Jebus are those expensive!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > FazeRacer 10/28/2015 at 15:36

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Just so I have an idea of what you consider “winter weather” where are you from?

FazeRacer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 15:39

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Ontario, Canada. I mostly drive in the city so I’m not dealing with tons of snow most of the time.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > FazeRacer 10/28/2015 at 15:47

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I’m mostly city too, except when I head out to the ski-slopes (then again Vermont’s idea of City is 50,000 people...) but slush and ice are always a problem... I respect the oppo-inion of someone from that part of Canada more than that of someone from New Jersey or Virginia or Kentucky when it comes to snow tires (which is the only way I can believe those xI3s earned such high praise), these have crept up to the top of my list with a request for quote in to my local Toyo dealer.

FazeRacer > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 15:56

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I can’t speak to how good they are heading up to the slopes because I never take my car there. But wet/slush/icy conditions are what they are made for.

TheJMan92 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 16:15

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Oh good, I just picked up a set of these on 16” steelies for the Mazda last night. You couldn’t post this yesterday!?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > TheJMan92 10/28/2015 at 16:23

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I’ve ranted about my hate for the xIces before several times, and mine is one of, maybe three or four, reviews on tirerack that isn’t a gushing love letter to Michelin about how awesome they are.... maybe my buddy and I both got some with a bad batch or rubber or something... the internet tire buying community seems to love these things, my buddy and I hate them, thats all I can tell you....

TheJMan92 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 16:31

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Not a problem, I’m just giving you a hard time. I actually did some looking around at other sites for reviews and didn’t see anything bad. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

Let us know what you go with for better tires, that way I have an exit strategy!

uofime-2 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 18:00

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Tell me more about these wintersport 3d’s, it seems all I hear about are how great blizzak ws80s are and yet you say they suck in comparison.

They’re only marginally more expensive, though they’re not available in the narrower size I was planning to use, 215 vs 235

Smoggi - powered by 3 cylinders > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/28/2015 at 18:33

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Yeah Contis are on the pricy side but they are worth it performance wise and they tend to last quite a long time so it evens out. I run a set of TS800s in 185/60 14 on my car and they are on their last season after 6 or 7 winters. Never felt unsafe driving them and ABS only kicks in on snow even with the low thread now. Sucks that you can’t get them for the FiST.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > uofime-2 10/28/2015 at 18:53

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so, WinterSport 3Ds, available only in an annoying subset of sizes, mostly geared toward European sport sedans. Genuinely excellent dry road performance, even when its 20-below 0F. Softer sidewalls than a summer performance tire, but lots of feel. Quiet, but sticky. Expect lower fuel economy, and they turn to goo over 60 degrees and will ball and chunk like a racing slick on hot pavement. Seem to be nearly immue to flat spotting no matter how cold it gets. Exceptional resistance to hydroplaning and slushplaning, enough traction on ice to save your ass, and with my V70AWD I clawed through 8” of unplowed, semi-wet snow without any problems. They have progressive grip loss in snow, so you can push them... They shriek and howl at traction limit, even when the pavement is ice-cold and you can drive them by ear even when your breath turns to snow. I love them. They have short tread life. They aren’t available In a size to fit my FieSTa.

uofime-2 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/29/2015 at 11:11

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How bad is the tread life in your experience?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > uofime-2 10/29/2015 at 13:21

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tread life =< 30,000 miles that was my best, on the lighter, fwd Hyundai... On the heavy V70AWD, about 20,000 miles. If you don’t take them off promptly when the average temps start exceeding 60 degrees regularly, you can kill them in a single season.

uofime-2 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 10/29/2015 at 14:13

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Thanks for the info, you’ve made my decision even harder

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > TheJMan92 10/30/2015 at 19:56

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Based on what FazeRacer said here, what I was able to dig up on forums and Canadian magazine reviews I’ve decided to go with the Toyo Observe Garit-KX. They are quite strange, and people seem to agree that you will forgive how loud they are once you have to drive them in anger or on icy slush.