Author Topic: What do you use in the winter? (Read 16459 times)

Birdman16 · « **on:** October 30, 2008, 07:29:44 AM »

Hey guys, getting ready for another New England winter and i need to buy some snow tires within the next two weeks. What do you guys use. My dad suggested either Bridgestone Blizzaks or Hakkapelitas (spelling??). What do you guys use in the winter because Kuhmo Exsta SPT's are not good in deep snow!!

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2008, 08:17:16 AM »

(3) 50 pound bags of kitty litter in the trunk, a full tank of fuel and rear tire psi lowered by about 5-7 pounds. I've never had an issue and have used the same "technique" during many years of driving high performance and stock Mustangs during NJ winters. I even used the same method in my prior 95 M3 and do the same with my 94 Cobra as well, never an issue. I'll be doing the same w/ the 318ic this winter. I've never purchased or had a separate set of winter tires, ever.

Just take it easy during such a storm, it's not how fast you get from point A to B, it's how common sense gets you home safely if/when there is snow/ice on the ground...

Besides "technique", I've heard and read many good reviews about the Blizzaks - good tire for sure, especially if you are in an area that experiences MUCH snowfall during Dec-March...

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2008, 09:57:25 AM »

Snow tires suck unless you are going snowboarding

xwill112x · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2008, 10:16:55 AM »

i would recomend..falken asina's...

but then again... i could care less about snow traction down here in North carolina:cool:

but for reall....just put some weight in the trunk...invest in some subs or something...snow tires are over rated unless your in the antarctic...

P. Kennedy · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2008, 10:57:49 AM »

Hakka-pucks > Blizzaks. I currently have a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3's mounted on steel rims, and they are so-so. I live in Wisconsin and deal with a lot of snowy driving conditions, and I've tried lots of different snow tires on fwd and rwd cars. Never had a better snow tire than Hakkapeliitta.

tony92ic · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2008, 08:48:46 PM »

Just don't fall for the performance winter tires. You might as well get all seasons. Go for the studless ice and snow class of winter tires.

And they are well worth it if you don't live in some pansy-assed place like Oregon.

C.Saenz · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2008, 11:00:44 PM »

What the hell is a "snow tire"?

In Texas, we don't understand why you should change your tires for certain times of the year.

C.Saenz · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2008, 11:03:37 PM »

Sorry, I had to chime in.

Asinine as my comment was, it isn't all great here in the winter. 34 degree rain still sucks, and at night the roads turn into a skate rink every time it rains... from Jan-Valentines Day. Maybe.

ducatipaso · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2008, 11:41:19 PM »

ive run blizzaks in the past and been very impressed with the performance.
now i just stick with quality all-seasons and go for it.

ose30 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2008, 01:41:26 AM »

Quote

Hakkapelitas (spelling??)

Nokian Hakkapeliitta is a finnish tire, developed in the Finnish Lappland. I have used Hakkapeliitta tires over 30 years.

Hakkapeliitta is a ancient Finnish warrior or knight.

Nokian tires used to be part of the same company as Nokia mobile phones, actually Nokia (a city in Finland) is a place where this company started in the 1800's fabricating all kind of rubber products, for example rubber boots, bicycle tires etc.
We have had a possibility to use Nokian tires test track (located in Nokia

) for some autoslalom once a year, really nice place.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XJjIutTd314

magnum2066 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 31, 2008, 04:05:36 AM »

Blizzaks, accept no substitute. I think some models are on closeout for less than $70 a tire @ tirerack.com. Got my REVO1 215/55/16 tires for 66$ a piece. There is nothing like driving away from a stoplight normally and everyone else is struggling just to move.

Oh, and I second the studless ice and snow, performance winter is made ONLY for snow and wet conditions and doesn't have that biting edge for ice.

Birdman16 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2008, 10:39:54 AM »

Thanks guys. I would put weight in the trunk anyway, but I want to be safe and go with some snow tires because I am still learning what limits my car can handle, and don't wish to learn on all seasons. It is my first winter with the car, or any car for that matter (I'm only 17) and just wish to be safe (I'm not a puss though...). Keep the responses going and I will try to start a poll.

Thank you,

JP 91iS · « **Reply #12 on:** October 31, 2008, 12:19:33 PM »

I use blizzaks, no problems so far.

Wizard · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2008, 05:38:33 PM »

Quote from: C.Saenz;59797

What the hell is a "snow tire"?

In Texas, we don't understand why you should change your tires for certain times of the year.

I have to agree....We go from 95 in the summer to 85 in the winter....OK, OK....It does get down to 65 at night...

Who makes the best SAND tire?....lol

christophbmw · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2008, 07:41:47 PM »

Quote from: Birdman16;59746

Hey guys, getting ready for another New England winter and i need to buy some snow tires within the next two weeks. What do you guys use. My dad suggested either Bridgestone Blizzaks or Hakkapelitas (spelling??). What do you guys use in the winter because Kuhmo Exsta SPT's are not good in deep snow!!

blizzaks are awsome!