So it's snowing out

"oldirtybootz" (oldirtybootz)
12/08/2013 at 17:58 • Filed to: None

Just flurries, but since my Kumhos turn to mush in the wet I'm on tire rack looking at snow tires. Do you guys have any recommendations? My favorite tires were the Potenza Pole Positions I had on the Focus and I'll probably be getting a set for the summer, but I don't really have any preferance as far as brand goes. Since they're only for a few months of the year, price is a factor, but I'd still like decent performance out of them.

DISCUSSION (17)

Takuro Spirit > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 18:01

Firestones or Generals if you're not planning on any spirited driving when there's no snow.

I've run the generals for the last few years (and cars) and they're quite good, and quiet.

Desu-San-Desu > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 18:03

I'm running Hankook Ventus V2 H437's on the Audi right now and they have definitely exceeded expectations for what I paid for them.

dogisbadob > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 18:09

What are the bleeped-out tires? :p

What Kumho tires do you have on now?

Out of those, I like the Dunlops the best since they're not directional.

Too bad Tire Rack doesn't carry Hankook's winter tires that cost less.

thedevilinside > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 18:11

What kind of Kumhos are you currently on?

I've never heard a bad thing about Blizzaks. I'm also interested in the Goodyear's performance. Very cheap for Goodyear.

oldirtybootz > Desu-San-Desu
12/08/2013 at 18:12

Isn't the Ventus AS or summer?

Desu-San-Desu > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 18:14

Oh whoops, I was looking at the bottom picture and thought you were shopping for A/S tires. My bad.

oldirtybootz > dogisbadob
12/08/2013 at 18:19

Other Potenzas, but I wanted to highlight the Pole Positions.

It came with Kumho Solus KH25 which Chrysler claims are LLR, but Tire Rack says nothing about that. They're $69 a tire and you definitely get what you pay for.

oldirtybootz > Desu-San-Desu
12/08/2013 at 18:21

Haha no not yet. The Potenzas are definitely my go to though.

oldirtybootz > thedevilinside
12/08/2013 at 18:21

Solus KH25, they suck.

oldirtybootz > Takuro Spirit
12/08/2013 at 18:23

I hoon too much for that to work.

dogisbadob > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 18:44

haha yeah, pretty much ALL OEM tires suck! They're designed just to be cheap. Even aftermarket tires with the same name are different (usually better) than the exact OEM tires on your car and/or at the dealer. The KH25's on TR may or may not be the same as the KH25's on your car now, hence the LRR disparity.

I just noticed the bottom pic was for all-season tires and the top for winter tires. I thought you were only looking at snows. Oops.

Out of the winter tires you pictured, the Dunlop Winter Maxx seems like the way to go. For non-winter tires, how about the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric A/S? Kumho's own LX Platinum is said to be a very good tire at a fantastic price

Takuro Spirit > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 20:55

Get some Conti DWSeses.

oldirtybootz > Takuro Spirit
12/08/2013 at 21:01

I'd just get the Potenzas if I go that route. They did decent in the snow on my Focus, they were superb in the rain, and in the dry they made the Focus stick to anything. But I want new wheels for the Potenzas so I don't want to get 16s now since I'll probably go 17" for rims. So I figured I'd finally get with the program and have the snows on steelies for winter, but I still need some dry performance.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 22:18

I have an older version of the Potenza Pole Position tires. They have done well for the snow we get in VA

oldirtybootz > jvirgs drives a Subaru
12/08/2013 at 22:28

Mine did pretty well in the snow, but I want to get 17" wheels for the Potenzas and use my 16" steelies for the winter. Otherwise I'd just get them now.

ryjacobs > oldirtybootz
12/08/2013 at 23:28

I have 245/40/18 Dunlop Winter Maxx on my STi. It's a lot easier for me to break traction than I expected it to be, which I don't like. Maybe any other higher-priced snow tires would have been the same though with this car.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > oldirtybootz
12/09/2013 at 09:35

If you're looking for a pure winter tire I would recommend the Blizzak WS70's or the Firestone Winterforces. The WS70's will be better on hard packed snow and dry roads. The Winterforces are impressive in deep snow and when the roads are really messy. If most of your driving is on roads that are pretty well cleared I would recommend the Blizzaks. They will perform better for most of the driving that you'll do.