R56 Snow tire recommendations

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Dec 20, 2012 | 06:16 AM

#26

richardsperry

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From: Eldersburg, Md

I know the OP made his decision, but I'll go with the sentiment of, get a set of 17's for the summer.

In Maryland, I got a set of Michlein Pilot Alpin's (195-55-16) on 16" Enkie wheels before I even took delivery of my car. (I got runflats for the snows, and non rft's for the 17" crown spokes for the summer.) OBTW, I got a set of DUnlop Star Specs this last springs, and withing 10K miles, they were so noisy and loud I had to get rid of them. I actually thought that my transmission or differential was going bad. (a shame too, because it was a great tire except for the noise) Replaced them with Michlien Pilot Sport's (215-45-17) and although I only had them on the car for a month, they were really good. Quiet too...

Dec 20, 2012 | 04:16 PM

#27

JPMM

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From: East IA

there is the compromise!

I want really great snow tires. I don't care how they handle in the dry cold conditions , because we only drive 55 mph

I can slide around and have a little fun. I want great snow tires to pass slow SUV's in the snowy muck. No mercy

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorchMINI

I agree that the Hakkapellitas are great in the snow and icy conditions. My only hesitation on doing them again (once this set wears down), is that they don't grip very well when the roads are dry or warm. November and early December are difficult to drive with dedicated snow tires when one is used to super summer grip. I can easily slide tires from acceleration or cornering in these weeks before real snow (Northern Michigan). I wonder if the Blizzaks might do better on dry pavement and still deliver in the real snow...

Jan 3, 2013 | 04:47 PM

#28

Tarbot

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Joined: Jul 2012

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarbot

Have some Federal Himalaya WS2's on right now... only been through an inch with some ice. No problems at all. A little squishy on the dry, but not bad. Quiet, for a snow tire. Can't wait to see how they perform in some deeper stuff.

Snow tire update! We had a good 8" storm... I am happy to say the tires performed flawlessly. Our airport is set up on a hill and had to give it a shot. The traction control is aggressive, once I turned it off Jeeves blasted up the hill without a problem.

Jan 4, 2013 | 06:54 PM

#29

Opeth

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Joined: May 2011

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From: Norway

Here in Northern Europe, the same 4 brands are top 4 in tests almost every year, but with different winner. It seems like it's a close race and varies a bit depending on the car and the driver.
Those brands are Nokian, Continental, Michelin and GoodYear. Studless, that is.
I have the Nokian Hakka R. They are great. Quiet, low resistance, but very soft. In the tests, they score high on allround and low resistance (I guess that's not important for you with your cheap gas) :-)
Stay alway from high speed rated winter tires if you use them in winter climate. We call them Southern Europe tires. My car came with runflat Dunlops rated 210 km/h. They were crap.

Jan 5, 2013 | 04:41 PM

#30

mbwicz

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From: Buffalo area, NY

I'm running the michelin directional winter tires (non-runflat), 195/55/16. We've had a couple of snowy drives and they seem pretty good. Compared to my other wheels (17's with all season non-rf), they handle like marshmallows. Transition and initial steering response is very sloppy, and for this reason I would probably buy runflat snows if doing it again.

Maybe the 'cost savings' from avoiding runflats and buying the inflator was not the best move for me this time.....

Mike