Bridgestone BLIZZAK WS80 Review
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
Bridgestone BLIZZAK WS80 Review
Long story short: They're really good in the snow. If you want more detail see below. I live in Rhode Island for reference.
Switched out of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3's (205/45/ZR17) to Blizzak WS80's on Sunday (205/50/HR17). I was going to try and squeak through this winter on these really good all-seasons, but 2 feet of snow in the forecast QUICKLY changed my tune. Ain't a chance in hell I'm going to be able to drive on low profile, W-speed rated all-seasons with a lowered suspension through 20" of snow. Nope. The A/S 3's are really kick *** in any condition including rain, cold or warm, but snow not so much. They're occasional light snow capable, that's it.
So obviously steering, handling and overall competence in the dry is vastly reduced. But a good 20" of snow gave me a great first impression today. Keep in mind my front end is 1" of the ground. I was able to commute to work, during the height of the blizzard, with a travel ban in effect with zero issues whatsoever. DSC-OFF, sport button ON!
There were many drifts that were a good foot deep that I simply just drove right through. Those deep piles of snow a plow leaves on the side of a road? No problem. Just drive through it. 1/4 mi long hills? Up I go, no second thoughts. Route 95 was really bad, a good 3-7" of loose, kinda slushy snow covered all 4 lanes. In loose, deep snow you still get that strange "tram-lining" from side to side at speeds over 35 mph. I doubt there are any snow tires that can eliminate this. Just slow down I guess...
On packed snow they're fantastic. No other words to describe it, except maybe Rally Car. Shallow slush in 13F temps? Piece of cake. Ice? Well still treacherous, but manageable. So I really like these tires. They make the MINI a ton of fun to drive in the snow. I actually went for a 2 hour joy ride after work just for fun. Because I could.
Switched out of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3's (205/45/ZR17) to Blizzak WS80's on Sunday (205/50/HR17). I was going to try and squeak through this winter on these really good all-seasons, but 2 feet of snow in the forecast QUICKLY changed my tune. Ain't a chance in hell I'm going to be able to drive on low profile, W-speed rated all-seasons with a lowered suspension through 20" of snow. Nope. The A/S 3's are really kick *** in any condition including rain, cold or warm, but snow not so much. They're occasional light snow capable, that's it.
So obviously steering, handling and overall competence in the dry is vastly reduced. But a good 20" of snow gave me a great first impression today. Keep in mind my front end is 1" of the ground. I was able to commute to work, during the height of the blizzard, with a travel ban in effect with zero issues whatsoever. DSC-OFF, sport button ON!
There were many drifts that were a good foot deep that I simply just drove right through. Those deep piles of snow a plow leaves on the side of a road? No problem. Just drive through it. 1/4 mi long hills? Up I go, no second thoughts. Route 95 was really bad, a good 3-7" of loose, kinda slushy snow covered all 4 lanes. In loose, deep snow you still get that strange "tram-lining" from side to side at speeds over 35 mph. I doubt there are any snow tires that can eliminate this. Just slow down I guess...On packed snow they're fantastic. No other words to describe it, except maybe Rally Car. Shallow slush in 13F temps? Piece of cake. Ice? Well still treacherous, but manageable. So I really like these tires. They make the MINI a ton of fun to drive in the snow. I actually went for a 2 hour joy ride after work just for fun. Because I could.
And unlike previous Blizzak tires (WS70, WS60, etc), these ones are also great on cleared dry cold roads.
An all around fantastic winter tire!
a
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
XsV
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
24
Sep 30, 2015 03:17 PM