This is so confusing. I live near Chicago. This is my first winter with my '04 MC with runflats. The other day I was all over the road on the snow. Do you suggest a snow tire or all weather tire? I may get a new job and have a 50 mile one way commute this winter. I drive 80/90 and I94.

My quote for bliz. snow tires is $127.00 each. complete with installation. I just want to get what is best for my safety.

Thanks to anyone who replies!

 

As you stated, you live close to Chicago, Illinois. There are severe winters in that part of the country. If you plan on using your MINI during the winter months, I would recommend that you purchase a set of snow tires. I would further recommend that you purchase them on a set of rims, so that you need only swap out the whole rim/tire unit rather than mount/unmount, balance/rebalance your current rims twice a year.

Blizzaks are a good choice.

 

You definitely would benefit from winter snows. While I run Blizzaks on my truck - I recently purchased a set of 4 Michelin Snow/Ice tires with alloy rims for less than $600.00 - they are quieter than the Blizzaks and even better - cheaper. I commute through some of the worst lake effect snow storm areas and wouldn't go without. All seasons are OK when you might encounter occasional snow.

 

I went through my first winter on the all-seasons. It was ok,but now that I have snows,the differece is amazing.I have Pirreli snowcontrols,they are quite,great on dry pavement,and they handle the snow and ice way better than the all-seasons did.I have them mounted on steel rims,so now I can change them myself.