Need snow/winter tire recommendation

[tontod]

I have a '10 WRX and I need snow tires for the Boston winter. Here are the tires that tirerack has rated. Its a lot to go through, which one would you guys recommend?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?width=225%2F&ratio=45&diameter=17&type=W&VT=Chttp://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=W&VT=C

 

[zerocool84]

Well we need to know how much you want to spend.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Yeah there's a wide range of prices there, a budget would be good.

FWIW though I run Blizzak LM-25's on my G8, last winter being the first, and it was rock solid stable, and that's on 245's. It would run circles around any fwd w/all-seasons I've ever had, without question. I couldn't even imagine awd with proper snow tires.

 

[tontod]

I was hoping to keep it around $150/tire if at all possible.

 

[IcePickFreak]

I'd personally go with the LM-60 Blizzaks just because of my experience with the LM-25's and they're $153/ea for your size. The LM-25's in your size are RFT so they're quite a bit more expensive than the LM-60's, and the LM-60 is the newer design anyway.

Also, try not too run em too much above about 50°. They start to get pretty soft and you'll notice they'll roll-over a bit more. I'd imagine this is pretty standard for all snow tires. It's not a big deal if the high for the day is gonna be 53° or something as it's not a huge issue, just something to be aware of. Last year I put mine on during Thankgiving weekend since the cold didn't hit Wisconsin until then, and pulled them off at the end of March and they look just about brand new still. I have a feeling they'll be going on a bit earlier this year.

 

[jlee]

I've heard really good things about General Altimax, Blizzaks, and a few I don't see there (Nokian Hakkapeliitta comes to mind).

 

[Vette73]

Are you going to change tires or are you looking for a year round tire?

I run the Cont DWS tires year round.

But the Cont ExtremeWinterContact seem to be very high rated and come in your size if you want to only run in winter.

 

[RKS]

I've heard really good things about the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 Studless Ice and Snow winter tire. I don't think it is as widely accepted as the Blizzack however. I am looking at buying a new RWD car by the end of the year and am considering a separate winter setup with new wheels and the Michelins.

 

[Vetterin]

I've heard really good things about General Altimax, Blizzaks, and a few I don't see there (Nokian Hakkapeliitta comes to mind).

I run the Altimax HP year round on my Subi Legacy in Chicago with no problems but then too it's not a WRX.

 

[desy]

Studless expensive Michelin Xice2's
Studded cheaper General Altimax - can be run studless too
All season heavy on the winter and no reason to change tires, Nokian WRG2

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Michelin Xi2s

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=111
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=135

 

[JCH13]

Blizzack, Nokians, both have amazing snow/ice grip and are about the best you can get. Last winter I had Dunlop M3s and was very happy (craigslist find for a good deal). In winter's past on my old Crown Vic I had Blizzack LM-55s and never went off the road or got stuck on the road.

Don't mount them until temperatures start to get near or below freezing, otherwise you'll wear them out pretty quickly.

 

[Chapbass]

I've got 4 Blizzak LM-22 (I think?) ready to go for winter #3 on my G35 Coupe (RWD). 17" tires, performance is night and day over any other car ive had. Theyre absolutely killer.

 

[ZipSpeed]

I recently mounted a brand new set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3s on my Forester XT. Bought it a bit too early, the weather has been unusually cooperatively warm. The lows are single digits now though so the inevitable will come soon enough.

 

[43st]

I've used Nokian winter tires in the past with great results.. this year, on the 07 Miata, I'm trying Hankook iPike tires. Mostly based on the price ($110 ea.) and comments by others.

 

[Iron Woode]

I had a pair of Goodyear Ultra Grips on my old Crown Vic. They were really nice. I went through 2 feet of snow trying to get stuck and I couldn't. It went through that slushy, semi icy crap that builds up on roads that aren't plowed right.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I've been very happy with my Blizzak LM-25s (which I drive through Minnesota winters on my RWD 3 series). As long as you go for a reputable brand you should be OK, particularly since in Boston you probably won't be encountering a lot of hills.