Best Snow Tires?

Xride · 10-30-2002, 05:50 PM

What are the best snow tires? I plan on driving lots, and going to the mountains lots this winter, so i think they may be a good investment, but dont know waht ones to get.

mshu7 · 10-31-2002, 07:20 AM

This thread might help...

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showt...t=Winter+Tires

11-01-2002, 10:57 AM

I live in Canada also. We get a lot of snow here and I enjoy skiing. I wouldn't use anything but snow tires in the winter. Those that don't are a danger to themselves and others. All seasons don't cut it here no matter how good. Those that say they work are only kidding themselves. This ain't California. I use Michelin Pilot Alpins 225/50r16 mounted on Eagle Alloy Series 63, 16"x7". I chose the Michelins for their performance on snow & ice, dry performance and price. Goodyear and Bridgestone also make ones that work. The Eagle wheels look good (better than ugly steel stamped wheels), are inexpensive and you don't have to change twice a year if you only use the stock wheels.

Mike Jung · 11-04-2002, 12:08 AM

I have Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 winter tires in 225/50/16" H-rated. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....um=25HR6BZLM22

They are a good compromise of snow (a little less snow & ice traction than a full-blown snow tire, like Blizzak WS-50 ( http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Blizzak+WS-50 ) but are more friendly to dry pavement driving), wet (which is excellent), & dry performance.
The Blizzak LM-22 & Pilot Alpin are made nicely to go fast on the highway when the weather is nicer in the winter.

With these Blizzak LM-22 tires in the winter: my low traction light barely comes on for traction control or ABS brake activation. The difference between my stock Goodyear Eagle LS tires & these Blizzak LM-22 is amazing.

My second choose of winter performance tire was the Michelin Pilot Alpin in 225/50/16" H-rated.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....partnum=25R6PA
I choose the Blizzak LM-22 because of the directional slants & has high silca content in the tread design for wet traction (which the tire dealer says also makes the this model of Blizzak last longer [than other Blizzak models], if driven on dry pavement).

11-04-2002, 09:57 AM

I second Mike's liking of the Blizzak LM-22s. Great tire. Night and day difference from All Seasons.

- Ryan

Gimli · 11-04-2002, 03:09 PM

I'm gonna be running LM-22s too but here's the runner ups in my tire shopping experience. They're all great on snow and ice and have decent lifetime (also all available in P225/50R16 for GTs):
Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2
Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport
Michelin Pilot Alpin

Hope this helps...

BTW the Blizzaks were the cheapest of these 4 around here, from 170$ for the LM-22 to 220$ for the Pirelli, per tire, installed.

Mike Jung · 11-04-2002, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gimli
...Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2
Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport
Michelin Pilot Alpin...
BTW the Blizzaks were the cheapest of these 4 around here, from 170$ for the LM-22 to 220$ for the Pirelli, per tire, installed.

That is a good price for the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22. I paid almost $174CDN (about $115US) [MSRP is $314CDN] per tire installed.

The Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 tire MSRP is $277.92CDN & can sell for as low as $157.02CDN.

Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport tire MSRP is $311.40CDN & can sell for as low as $186.84CDN.

(Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 & Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport pricing info is from http://www.tiretrends.com )

Michelin Pilot Alpin tires can be had for $201.84CDN (I could of swear that it was like $175-185CDN each that I was quoted last year) at Active Green & Ross ( http://www.activegreenross.com ).
At Costco (fromly known as Price Club) can special order them & probably get them at less than $200CDN (quoted last year).

(off-topic) GrafxWerks,
Ryan, how do the Bridgestone Potenza RE950 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....num=25HR6RE950 (all-season tires) hold up this year ?
Do they seem like a good tire to use when there is a little snow & ice on the road (before you get a chance to change to your winter tires) ?

Xride · 11-10-2002, 01:00 PM

sorry for bringing such an old post back ot life.
I got my winter tires put on friday, they were supposed to be michelens but they put hankook winter tires on. didnt notice till this morning, and i dont really like them at all, they are a 215/55R16 (i think thats an ok size for the stock rim) but they make lots of noise on the highway, and are only marginally better then my RSA's. when i called them they said that i couldnt get michinlens in the right size.

my two new questions are:
is it better to have a 215/55 R16 or the stock 225/50 R16?

and now that the dunlop SP Winter tire is what i'm thinking about, does anyont have experiance wiht them at all?

and lastly has anyone heard of hankooks? this is the first time i have seen them, and cant find any info on them really.

Gimli · 11-10-2002, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Xride
when i called them they said that i couldnt get michinlens in the right size.

my two new questions are:
is it better to have a 215/55 R16 or the stock 225/50 R16?

Michelin do make our size but only in the Pilot Alpin series, NOT the Artic Alpin, which is the most popular.

You're always better to stay with the stock size, this way the dealer can't use that excuse to refuse to pay for warranty repairs to the suspension or direction.

BTW Costco quoted me $190 per tire installed for Pilot Alpin in our size, minus a $50 rebate if you buy 4.

Xride · 11-10-2002, 05:58 PM

hmm, do i really need winter tires? my car is a lease going back in a year and a half so.....
what would you guys do?

EDIT:

ok, i desided that i dont really need winter tires, now i have desided to do one of two things.

i can get 2 new RSA's and then i will have 4 new RSA tires that jsut need to last a year and a half till the lease is done. cost about $400 for the 2

or i can get 4 new Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Asymmetrical's, they have better ratings all across the board, and much better snow traction. cost about $650 for all 4.
or the SP Sport A2 they are even cheaper, and seem better, but dont have the agressive tread look. and they are only H rated (still faster then what the car can do)

Gimli · 11-11-2002, 04:40 AM

Well, if you're planning on getting the stock size and using it on whatever other car you get later you should get winter tires anyway, IMHO. Safety has to be first...

Xride · 11-11-2002, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gimli
Well, if you're planning on getting the stock size and using it on whatever other car you get later you should get winter tires anyway, IMHO. Safety has to be first...

they wont fit on either one of the 3 or 4 cars i am planning on getting after the GA, and this summer i am going to NEED two more RSA's anyways, cause they will hit the wires befor july. and i'd ratehr spend 600 for new tires that will last till the car is done rather then 550 for winter tires, and the 400 for two new RSAs.

CustomAutoAccen · 11-11-2002, 10:26 AM

I just purchased a set of 4 BF Goodrich G-force KDWS. These are all season and perform excellent in snow. It snowed here in Nebraska the second week of October and there was still snow on the ground for Halloween. I am very impressed with their performance on snow and during good driving conditions. The tire is W rated (180) and has a good tread wear rating and look sharp. The cons of this tire is the price. By the time I had my car aligned and the tires balanced, I layed down $800.

11-12-2002, 11:46 AM

You don't need winter tires. I live in Sask so I guarantee I see more snow than you guys down east. I have my stock Eagle LS's and they work better than alot of winter tires. Hell, my 96 GT had RSA's and it did fine. You just have to use common sense.

11-12-2002, 02:10 PM

i use goodyear ultra grips..very nice tire and ive been more than happy with em..

Xride · 11-12-2002, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Filter
You don't need winter tires. I live in Sask so I guarantee I see more snow than you guys down east. I have my stock Eagle LS's and they work better than alot of winter tires. Hell, my 96 GT had RSA's and it did fine. You just have to use common sense.

uh i plan on going to the mountains a fair amount, and RSA's suck in the snow, went to try and play around wiht my snow tires, and well its very difficult, so i'm going to be keeping them.
even with mr ebrakes help it would only fishtail the one time and once it was straight in track it would stop sliding.
sask doesnt get much snow, alberta, close to the mountains in particular gets lots of snow, we already have a good 10cm on the ground.

10-30-2002, 05:50 PM	#1
Xride My Avitar! YAAA! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Age: 38 Posts: 176 Vehicle: 96 Camaro Z28/SS	Best Snow Tires? What are the best snow tires? I plan on driving lots, and going to the mountains lots this winter, so i think they may be a good investment, but dont know waht ones to get.

10-31-2002, 07:20 AM	#2
mshu7 GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brownsburg, IN (west of Indy) Age: 41 Posts: 236 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1	This thread might help... http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showt...t=Winter+Tires __________________ Mike S. Shu's GAGT

11-04-2002, 12:08 AM	#4
Mike Jung 400 hp & 410 lb-ft AKA: Mike Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,671 Vehicle: '14 Camaro SS RS coupe	I have Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 winter tires in 225/50/16" H-rated. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....um=25HR6BZLM22 They are a good compromise of snow (a little less snow & ice traction than a full-blown snow tire, like Blizzak WS-50 ( http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Blizzak+WS-50 ) but are more friendly to dry pavement driving), wet (which is excellent), & dry performance. The Blizzak LM-22 & Pilot Alpin are made nicely to go fast on the highway when the weather is nicer in the winter. With these Blizzak LM-22 tires in the winter: my low traction light barely comes on for traction control or ABS brake activation. The difference between my stock Goodyear Eagle LS tires & these Blizzak LM-22 is amazing. My second choose of winter performance tire was the Michelin Pilot Alpin in 225/50/16" H-rated. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....partnum=25R6PA I choose the Blizzak LM-22 because of the directional slants & has high silca content in the tread design for wet traction (which the tire dealer says also makes the this model of Blizzak last longer [than other Blizzak models], if driven on dry pavement). Last edited by Mike Jung; 12-02-2002 at 06:08 PM.

11-10-2002, 05:58 PM	#10
Xride My Avitar! YAAA! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Age: 38 Posts: 176 Vehicle: 96 Camaro Z28/SS	hmm, do i really need winter tires? my car is a lease going back in a year and a half so..... what would you guys do? EDIT: ok, i desided that i dont really need winter tires, now i have desided to do one of two things. i can get 2 new RSA's and then i will have 4 new RSA tires that jsut need to last a year and a half till the lease is done. cost about $400 for the 2 or i can get 4 new Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Asymmetrical's, they have better ratings all across the board, and much better snow traction. cost about $650 for all 4. or the SP Sport A2 they are even cheaper, and seem better, but dont have the agressive tread look. and they are only H rated (still faster then what the car can do) Last edited by Xride; 11-10-2002 at 06:24 PM.

11-11-2002, 10:26 AM	#13
CustomAutoAccen GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kearney, NE Age: 39 Posts: 88 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT Coupe	Recommended BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KDWS I just purchased a set of 4 BF Goodrich G-force KDWS. These are all season and perform excellent in snow. It snowed here in Nebraska the second week of October and there was still snow on the ground for Halloween. I am very impressed with their performance on snow and during good driving conditions. The tire is W rated (180) and has a good tread wear rating and look sharp. The cons of this tire is the price. By the time I had my car aligned and the tires balanced, I layed down $800. Attached Thumbnails __________________ CustomAutoAccents N-Body Profile

11-01-2002, 10:57 AM	#3
bw lee Guest Posts: n/a	I live in Canada also. We get a lot of snow here and I enjoy skiing. I wouldn't use anything but snow tires in the winter. Those that don't are a danger to themselves and others. All seasons don't cut it here no matter how good. Those that say they work are only kidding themselves. This ain't California. I use Michelin Pilot Alpins 225/50r16 mounted on Eagle Alloy Series 63, 16"x7". I chose the Michelins for their performance on snow & ice, dry performance and price. Goodyear and Bridgestone also make ones that work. The Eagle wheels look good (better than ugly steel stamped wheels), are inexpensive and you don't have to change twice a year if you only use the stock wheels.

11-04-2002, 09:57 AM	#5
GrafxWerks Guest Posts: n/a	I second Mike's liking of the Blizzak LM-22s. Great tire. Night and day difference from All Seasons. - Ryan

11-04-2002, 03:09 PM	#6
Gimli GAGT - Newbie... NOT! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ottawa, ON Age: 44 Posts: 794 Vehicle: 2002 GAGT1 coupe	I'm gonna be running LM-22s too but here's the runner ups in my tire shopping experience. They're all great on snow and ice and have decent lifetime (also all available in P225/50R16 for GTs): Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport Michelin Pilot Alpin Hope this helps... BTW the Blizzaks were the cheapest of these 4 around here, from 170$ for the LM-22 to 220$ for the Pirelli, per tire, installed.

11-10-2002, 01:00 PM	#8
Xride My Avitar! YAAA! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Age: 38 Posts: 176 Vehicle: 96 Camaro Z28/SS	sorry for bringing such an old post back ot life. I got my winter tires put on friday, they were supposed to be michelens but they put hankook winter tires on. didnt notice till this morning, and i dont really like them at all, they are a 215/55R16 (i think thats an ok size for the stock rim) but they make lots of noise on the highway, and are only marginally better then my RSA's. when i called them they said that i couldnt get michinlens in the right size. my two new questions are: is it better to have a 215/55 R16 or the stock 225/50 R16? and now that the dunlop SP Winter tire is what i'm thinking about, does anyont have experiance wiht them at all? and lastly has anyone heard of hankooks? this is the first time i have seen them, and cant find any info on them really.

11-11-2002, 04:40 AM	#11
Gimli GAGT - Newbie... NOT! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ottawa, ON Age: 44 Posts: 794 Vehicle: 2002 GAGT1 coupe	Well, if you're planning on getting the stock size and using it on whatever other car you get later you should get winter tires anyway, IMHO. Safety has to be first...

11-12-2002, 11:46 AM	#14
Filter Guest Posts: n/a	You don't need winter tires. I live in Sask so I guarantee I see more snow than you guys down east. I have my stock Eagle LS's and they work better than alot of winter tires. Hell, my 96 GT had RSA's and it did fine. You just have to use common sense.

11-12-2002, 02:10 PM	#15
pounder Guest Posts: n/a	i use goodyear ultra grips..very nice tire and ive been more than happy with em..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode