Winter Tire Time

[A1337STI]

Haven't yet, but eventually I'm sure that I'll make that same mistake.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by cody

^

I stopped at a rest stop with my GF and our dog yesterday, and didn't remember this thread until I saw a sign that said, "No soliciting." I couldn't stop giggling but thought better of it before explaining the "joke" to Amanda. Anyone else always regret it when you start explaining something "funny" from an internet forum to your SO? Maybe it's just me.

Lisa: "something something, reminding me of an internet joke"
Me: "heheh"
Lisa: "what's so funny?"
Me: "internet joke"
Lisa:

[cody]

^ Haha, I'll take that as a yes.

[Kevin M]

Been there too.

[ScottyS]

MattR was being nice - he could have gone OG trucker and dropped the "Lot Lizard" bomb.

[Nick Koan]

I just picked up some of the Pirelli Sotozero 210 Serie II. No rating yet on TireRack (but the original Sotozero 210 had high marks), and it was actually the cheapest of all of the "Performance" winter tires in my size (215/45/17).

I thought about the Arctic Climax (or whatever) too, but I've never owned a set of Pirelli's before.

[cody]

Originally Posted by Nick Koan

I just picked up some of the Pirelli Sotozero 210 Serie II. No rating yet on TireRack (but the original Sotozero 210 had high marks), and it was actually the cheapest of all of the "Performance" winter tires in my size (215/45/17).

I thought about the Arctic Climax (or whatever) too, but I've never owned a set of Pirelli's before.

I considered those. This is a quote of me from the Nasioc thread Kevin W. linked on page 2:

Now Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero at $310 (after $50 AE card) are quite a good bargain and they rank 3rd on TR Performance Winter Survey Results but they are mediocre according to the CR ratings.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...0#post32049504

[Nick Koan]

Yup, and CR is probably a bit more professional, versus the 'anything goes' TireRack survey.

Regardless, Italian tires are far more sexy. And in the end, isn't that what matters most?

[cody]

You're not wrong.

[Nick Koan]

And anything on the performance list really isn't that bad. The top score is 76, the lowest is 70. The Pirelli's are definitely in the lower half at 72, but the spread of points isn't that terrible. And still, it seems they are weak in braking and noise, but otherwise on par with the other tires.

When the tires were compared against the non-"performance" tires well, the X-Ice high score seemed a bit skewed, especially if they thought the dry-braking, wet-braking, handling and hydroplaning were sub-par. The Michelin PA3 looks the "best" all around tire (as in, average or above average in everything, no real weaknesses), but despite the CR price listing, the Pirelli's were nearly $100 cheaper for 4 in 215/45/17 at TireRack.

Also, I could have saved $75 bucks by going with the Maxi Archeopteryx, but the Pirelli's were eligible for a $50 rebate card this weekend (doesn't seem like they are eligible anymore) and the General tires were only a $25 rebate card IIRC. Still, would have been cheaper for the General tires, but not that much, and I have heard good things about the longevity of the Pirelli's.

[cody]

Yah, I'm sure they'll be perfectly fine. On the 10th, all of the American Express gift card offers expired. I'm hoping something else pops up before the first snow.

[A1337STI]

oh the General Artic maxes er what ever... (studded) are AMAZING on dirt. not that its why you are buying them.. but holy cow they probably rival the grip of most rally tires. course they would pop or get cut on the harsher roads but maybe i should get a set of them for rally Idaho ..

boot yarr, studded tires for winter are AMAZING. cody i think you're way better off with studded tires for your car, esp since you trade cars on bad days with your GF. you can feel their lack of dry grip a bit , hard hard corners or heavy braking but if you are driving in a safe responsible manor they are just fine.

Its like you are trading 15% of your dry grip for a 50% boost on icey / packed snow conditions. They don't help any over a non studded in deep slush though. all you can do in deep slush is just slow the F down, and then slow down some more. unless you like having body work done to your car. hahaha

[cody]

I was tempted, but I'd be sacrificing dry grip, which I'm on 95% of the time. So I think my safest bet is still a performance winter, probably 3D's again.

[A1337STI]

I just figure when conditions are at their worst i want the best possible grip i can get.

when conditions are at their best , anything round and rubbery should do. (for commuting)

Boot, do what you feel is teh bestest

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=123

Studded versus non studded... :O Ice braking 34.2% increase Dry road braking 5.2% decrease.

Think i'll be going general altimax artic, Studded again. Icy roads + tourists & donkeys = OH SHIT!!! hahaha

I'm just not sure if i want to do a 215/55/17 again .7" increase to sidewall (and ride height) ... on the STI since its kinda low for tahoe snow this was really nice last year...

set of 4 studded : $500
Installation $40
Pulling out a stuck SUV from the snow berm @ sierra = PRICELESS hahahaha

[sperry]

Originally Posted by A1337STI

I just figure when conditions are at their worst i want the best possible grip i can get.

when conditions are at their best , anything round and rubbery should do. (for commuting)

Boot, do what you feel is teh bestest

The only problem with that philosophy is that if you're buying tires for say 5% of the time, 95% of the time you're at greater risk of a wreck than you need to be. Imagine needing to panic stop on the freeway and coming up 1 ft short and into someone's bumper. Seems far more likely to happen than having a little bit more ice traction on the 1 or 2 days it's really scary out will save you from damage.

Plus, all that dry use on those snow tires means you may wear 'em out before you even use them to their advantage in the snow.

[cody]

Originally Posted by sperry

The only problem with that philosophy is that if you're buying tires for say 5% of the time, 95% of the time you're at greater risk of a wreck than you need to be. Imagine needing to panic stop on the freeway and coming up 1 ft short and into someone's bumper. Seems far more likely to happen than having a little bit more ice traction on the 1 or 2 days it's really scary out will save you from damage.

Plus, all that dry use on those snow tires means you may wear 'em out before you even use them to their advantage in the snow.

That was my thinking. So, par for the course, I overanalyzed it to death and decided the conventional wisdom (studdable/studless for Tahoe, Performance Winter if you live in Reno) was best.

[ScottyS]

I actually bought my first set of new tires in 7 years this season, some Yokohama AVID ENVigors in 205/55/16 for the Legacy kiddie wagon.

I'm gonna put Cody's old ones on the backup wagon, and I have some other performance all-seasons (I forget which) stashed in the garage for the SS.

[GusGus91]

So Im thinking of getting the Michelin X-ice XI2 in a 215 or a 225/45/18 on the Prodrives for the sti.. any thought's about that? Any experience with these tires? Help for a n00b?

[cody]

Originally Posted by GusGus91

So Im thinking of getting the Michelin X-ice XI2 in a 215 or a 225/45/18 on the Prodrives for the sti.. any thought's about that? Any experience with these tires? Help for a n00b?

Google up a tire calculator. Enter your OEM tire size and then the size you're considering running. Try to keep the outside diameter (OD) within a few percent. If you're lowered, I'd go with the wider size so you're less likely to high center or damage your rims and you'll have better traction everywhere but in deep snow, but even in deep snow, if you're lowered, you don't want to dig down too deep so wider is still better IMO.

That tire gets rave reviews. Go for it.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by cody

Google up a tire calculator. Enter your OEM tire size and then the size you're considering running. Try to keep the outside diameter (OD) within a few percent. If you're lowered, I'd go with the wider size so you're less likely to high center or damage your rims and you'll have better traction everywhere but in deep snow, but even in deep snow, if you're lowered, you don't want to dig down too deep so wider is still better IMO.

That tire gets rave reviews. Go for it.

http://www.rimsntires.com/rt_specs.jsp

[GusGus91]

Wait... I just realized 225 is gonna be a stretch on a 18x8.5 wheel... Or do you think it'd be ok?

[cody]

It's doable, but I'd stick with 245 or 255 for reasons I already stated. Have you considered some steelies for wheels instead? Get a price quote from TR anyway. You might actually spend similar money on a wheel/tire package as you would on tires alone for those massive 18's.

[GusGus91]

well I looked at a 245 but they were out of stock. I'll check 255

[100_Percent_Juice]

I have 235's on my 18x8.5. They seem perfect to me but there is definitely a size difference between brands of tire.

[GusGus91]

so if I did a 235, then what would be the full spec of the tire.. cuz I know a 235/45/18 would be super tall.. would I go down to a 40?