Buying Winter Tires

[az3579]

Nokian invented winter tires. You're darned right they're the best.

But... they're pretty hard to find locally. A lot of places don't carry them.

Speaking of which... I have (4) 16" nearly new studded Nokians if anyone needs a set!

[alexandre]

+1 for Hakkas. Swear by them up here in Montreal, just mounted a new-to-me set of Hakka 8 on Style 68s.

Although, in NYC you might be better served by good all seasons you run year-round. I drove 3 years on DWS06 in Vancouver (BC) and it was plenty good enough for the occasional snowfall and biweekly ski trips up in the Rockies. Just gotta drive more defensively when on snow.

[az3579]

+1 for Hakkas. Swear by them up here in Montreal, just mounted a new-to-me set of Hakka 8 on Style 68s.

Although, in NYC you might be better served by good all seasons you run year-round. I drove 3 years on DWS06 in Vancouver (BC) and it was plenty good enough for the occasional snowfall and biweekly ski trips up in the Rockies. Just gotta drive more defensively when on snow.

I will never agree to all seasons being acceptable in the northeast. Driving defensively is not really all that possible in NYC; you need as much traction as you can get. The drivers in NYC are abominable; cutting you off and slamming on their brakes is as normal occurrence there.

[Reasoned1]

I’m currently running Toyo Celsius 225/45R17’s on my 330xi DD. I live in Vermont, have been through a few storms so far, and am VERY impressed. They’re advertised as all-seasons, but they’re fully winter-rated (mountain symbol). They have great traction in crappy conditions, but their “grip” on asphalt is significantly less than normal ultra-performance all-season tires (kinda fun at times). They normally go for $140+, but I caught them on sale at Walmart (online) last summer for $87 each (ka-ching!). I would definitely buy again for that price.

[fredo]

Discount Tire has 10% prepaid MasterCard by mail on your total purchase amount when you buy 4 tires and/or wheels.

Get an extra 5% by using your DT credit card.

Nov 28 thru Dec 01.

[az3579]

I’m currently running Toyo Celsius 225/45R17’s on my 330xi DD. I live in Vermont, have been through a few storms so far, and am VERY impressed. They’re advertised as all-seasons, but they’re fully winter-rated (mountain symbol).

Those are actually "all-weather" tires, not all-seasons. I recently found out this category exists, and I am certainly intrigued by the category. These have better winter grip than all-seasons do and are designed for areas that get snow but also have plenty of dry days. I don't think all seasons really are for areas that get significant snowfall but instead places like the south where it might get cold but don't really get much (if any) snow, with the capability of handling some very light snow action if needed.

For those that live near cities where the roads are regularly plowed, I'd say all weather tires are a good bet. I originally wanted to get some Nokian WR G4's (all weather tires), but they seem to be impossible to get, so I gave up on that idea.

[Hoonin88]

I ran blizzak for quite some time and then got tired of paying the premium. Been running sets of General Altimax Arctic's for the last few seasons and have had no issues. Currently $150 ea on TireRack.

[az3579]

I ran blizzak for quite some time and then got tired of paying the premium. Been running sets of General Altimax Arctic's for the last few seasons and have had no issues. Currently $150 ea on TireRack.

What premium are you referring to? WS-80's are less than $150 ea in 225/45-17 size.

[Hoonin88]

Not sure exactly what model of blizzak I was purchasing, but they were certainly more than $150 each. Currently on TireRack the cheapest blizzaks in 225/45/17 are $186 ea. And that's a closeout deal which includes road hazard as well.

[az3579]

Not sure exactly what model of blizzak I was purchasing, but they were certainly more than $150 each. Currently on TireRack the cheapest blizzaks in 225/45/17 are $186 ea. And that's a closeout deal which includes road hazard as well.

Tire Rack usually isn't the cheapest with a lot of things. Walmart has them at $142 per in 225/45-17 size. Giga-tires is at $141.84 per.