Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

[Tuna]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

I think you can get the Conti's from Volvo, they probably only have Volvo type sizes tho.

[Guysmiley]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

I don't think you can get Hakka 5s unstudded. It would be dumb as the compounding is not correct to be used without studs. If you want unstudded, get the RSIs.

I should add that Kumho was always near the bottom (worst) in the Norwegian winter tire tests. They were so bad, that they stopped including them in the testing.

I really don't care what the Norwegian winter tire test says. I have had these for three winters and they have been awsome. This is my personal opinion, take it for what it's worth.

[Bubbleboy]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

Had Nokian Hakkapeliitta rsi's on the R last year. Unstoppable!

[GINCH]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

Had Nokian Hakkapeliitta rsi's on the R last year. Unstoppable!

Nice!!!!! Can't wait

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

Hankook w404 studded on the TDI
Pirelli Winter Sotto Zero on the Tiguan
Hakkapeliitas on the Durango
Wally World Winters on the pickup truck

[Deuce]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

Nice!!!!! Can't wait

Me three!

Still rocking my 225/40R18 Spec Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance's from last year on my .:R by the way. No complaints.

In fact, I find the more money I spend on tires... the more I'm disappointed really. Unless you're really going to drive your tires "to the limit"... don't waste money by getting the top of the line tire. Just look at the most expensive set, the least expensive set... and settle for something in the middle that suits your budget.

P.S. I'm a huge fan of www.1010tires.com . Great prices for the lower demand tire sizes (ie. 18"ers for example). Let me know if you guys have a cheaper source though!

[cdnalpina]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

Wicked reviews guys - thanks!

I have a set of stock wheels with winters on them. They are two different brands, one pair is brand new and the other should be replaced. Will have to research what they all are again as I have forgotten and they are on my storage shelf in my garage.

I was thinking of replacing the bad ones with some really good tires for the fronts (unless I can find a smoking deal on a set f 4). Never had any issues with doing this before, so long as matching tires are on matching ends of the car. Thoughts?

[R-Audi]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

I think Popp's prices are pretty tough to beat, Ive been shopping for winter tires for a while.

The other tire that interests me is the new Falken Euro winter.. but havent seen too many reviews around.. but they are certainly priced right. $751 @ 1010 and 810 at Speedtech. (225/40/18)

[Red90]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

In fact, I find the more money I spend on tires... the more I'm disappointed really. Unless you're really going to drive your tires "to the limit"... don't waste money by getting the top of the line tire. Just look at the most expensive set, the least expensive set... and settle for something in the middle that suits your budget.

For summer tire, I agree. But for winter tire, get the ones with better traction make winter so much more an enjoyable time.... NEVER needing to worry about losing control at any time makes the winter driving experience a lot of fun.

[Red90]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

I really don't care what the Norwegian winter tire test says. I have had these for three winters and they have been awsome. This is my personal opinion, take it for what it's worth.

Ahh, you are missing the point....

They are not saying they are "bad". They are saying there are much better tires out there. If you have the choice, why not get ones that provide better traction?

I have Pirelli snows on one car. They are best handling winter tire I have ever used. But, the snow traction is much worse than the Nokians, but still much better than an all season. Horses for courses.

[Deuce]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

NEVER needing to worry about losing control at any time makes the winter driving experience a lot of fun.

The only thing I worry about in the winter is sleeping Calgarians freaking out on me as I shred some untracked powder with my flapper-modded VR6 howling all the way to Tim's on a Saturday or Sunday morning!

[Wildfire]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta (cant remember which ones). When I bought my car (second hand). The guy who I bought it from was nice enough to sell me his his set of winter tyres. Very very impressed with the traction.

[96vwVR6]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

the new nokian hakk 5 studded tires use a very advanced bear claw/eco-stud system, not hard on the roads at all. and the new hakk R which replaced the RSI has the least rolling resistance out of any winter tire on the market right now, Nokian says that over th elife of the tire you get back in fuel savings what you spend on the tire. the new Falken Eurowinter seems like it gonna be a pretty good entry level to mid level winter tire for a little bit harder compound tire. the only tire i would reccomend to stay away from is the Bridgestone Blizzack, they perform very well for the 1st have of the tread life, but the sipe only goes roughtly half way thru the tread block of the tire compared to a michelin, or nokian where it goes thru almost the entire tread block. Yokohama sells a really good one called the IG20 and also Nitto has a tire out called the SN2, but its not on their website. Just my 2 cents on winter tires. i will be running studded nokian hak 5's as my gti doesnt have traction control so i want as good a tire as i can get on it. hope this helps anyone with any questions.

[dave335]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

I will add my 2 cents as well. Last year, we replaced the Toyo Observe G02's with Nokian Hakka 5 that are studded. They are absolutely unreal winter tires. The tires are used on a Volvo 240 station wagon that has no abs or traction control. It drives like a tank through snow or ice. You can only barely hear the studs on dry pavement. With the new eco stud, the stud will last the life of the tire as it wears with the thread. My sister's GTI has RSIs and they are not as good as the studded Hakka 5s. They are expensive but well worth the cost.

[longsock]

Re: Winter tires - what's your suggestion?

^^ they may b good but for a popular size like 205/55/16, the set is $1500!!! no ty i'll stick to kumho kw17 lol