R56 Anyone happy with their "all season" tires in snow?
#26
01-08-2011, 05:42 AM
Vic
We change to the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D tires in the late fall.
I know this isn't really an "all season" tire, more like a 3 season tire here in New England. It could be run through the summer, but they are a little noisy on dry roads.
They are pretty good on slushy dirt roads too.
I tried to do the same as you are, and eventually just bit the bullet and got a second set of rims and tires. Pretty $$$, but I can have them changed out in about 20 minutes in the garage.
We change to the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D tires in the late fall.
I know this isn't really an "all season" tire, more like a 3 season tire here in New England. It could be run through the summer, but they are a little noisy on dry roads.
They are pretty good on slushy dirt roads too.
I tried to do the same as you are, and eventually just bit the bullet and got a second set of rims and tires. Pretty $$$, but I can have them changed out in about 20 minutes in the garage.
#27
01-08-2011, 06:17 AM
This I think, is the correct answer...we can't answer it for you.
If you can wait it out until the plows pass, or don't drive in the snow except for fun, the A/S tires are perfect. If you do drive in snow (not by choice) but need to drive at the edge all the time, again A/S sounds right.
If you can corner a bit more sedately with the snows on, and you have to drive in snow, no matter how deep, I think dedicated snows is the right way to go.
You have to figure it out based on your own personal needs.
The timing is bad now, but last spring I got 15 inch mini alloy rims and tires with 5000 miles on them for $200 (Craigslist). Not exactly what I would have bought new, but for the money, it is an easy choice for me, plus swapping them myself takes 20 minutes at most and is free. They will last me 5 years or so since I don't have a long commute. All for $200 and a bit less throttle in the twisties for a few months. Even after the tires go bad, the rims are still worth something, so there are cheap ways to have snows, though timing is working against you now.
If you can wait it out until the plows pass, or don't drive in the snow except for fun, the A/S tires are perfect. If you do drive in snow (not by choice) but need to drive at the edge all the time, again A/S sounds right.
If you can corner a bit more sedately with the snows on, and you have to drive in snow, no matter how deep, I think dedicated snows is the right way to go.
You have to figure it out based on your own personal needs.
The timing is bad now, but last spring I got 15 inch mini alloy rims and tires with 5000 miles on them for $200 (Craigslist). Not exactly what I would have bought new, but for the money, it is an easy choice for me, plus swapping them myself takes 20 minutes at most and is free. They will last me 5 years or so since I don't have a long commute. All for $200 and a bit less throttle in the twisties for a few months. Even after the tires go bad, the rims are still worth something, so there are cheap ways to have snows, though timing is working against you now.
#28
01-08-2011, 06:42 AM
The name "winter tires" is a bit of a misnomer. Modern "winter tires" keep traction at colder temperatures than all seasons. A/S tires are not particularly good at anything.
Tirerack does have a lot of information, but this clip is particularly useful in the debate between winter and A/S tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...3&quality=high
Tirerack does have a lot of information, but this clip is particularly useful in the debate between winter and A/S tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...3&quality=high
#29
01-08-2011, 02:05 PM
Just my opinion...
... "all-season" means 3-season. Winter tires are the only way to go where I live in Eastern Ontario, Canada.
My 2008 JustaCooper came with 16" wheels and Conti run-flats (195-55-16's). Those tires were quite useless in our winter weather.
I did some research and found that the 15" steel rims from a 2003 Honda Civic fit perfectly (the 4-100 bolt pattern and center diameter are identical). $30 each at the auto wrecker. I bought some Goodyear Nordic winter tires (185-65-15's) on sale and have never looked back.
The dedicated winter rim/tire package is the way to go if you plan to keep your car for a few years. Swapping tires on the 16" rims costs about $100 or so each time. Twice per year, fall and spring. The steel rims are more than paid for in one season. Bonus - your "3-season" or summer tires and nice alloy rims will last much longer stored in the garage instead of being slogged around through the slop and salt of winter roads.
My MINI is a real go-anywhere winter driving machine with my wheel/tire setup. Can't describe how much better it is than before, very confidence inspiring and stable on snow, ice and slush covered surfaces.
Where I live, driving in winter isn't primarily about handling or fun. It's about getting where you have to go without ending up in the ditch or wrapped around a tree. If you can have some fun along the way - bonus!!
__________________________________________________ ___
My 2008 JustaCooper came with 16" wheels and Conti run-flats (195-55-16's). Those tires were quite useless in our winter weather.
I did some research and found that the 15" steel rims from a 2003 Honda Civic fit perfectly (the 4-100 bolt pattern and center diameter are identical). $30 each at the auto wrecker. I bought some Goodyear Nordic winter tires (185-65-15's) on sale and have never looked back.
The dedicated winter rim/tire package is the way to go if you plan to keep your car for a few years. Swapping tires on the 16" rims costs about $100 or so each time. Twice per year, fall and spring. The steel rims are more than paid for in one season. Bonus - your "3-season" or summer tires and nice alloy rims will last much longer stored in the garage instead of being slogged around through the slop and salt of winter roads.
My MINI is a real go-anywhere winter driving machine with my wheel/tire setup. Can't describe how much better it is than before, very confidence inspiring and stable on snow, ice and slush covered surfaces.
Where I live, driving in winter isn't primarily about handling or fun. It's about getting where you have to go without ending up in the ditch or wrapped around a tree. If you can have some fun along the way - bonus!!
__________________________________________________ ___
#30
01-08-2011, 07:22 PM
I like to think it's karma. Lmao.
#31
01-10-2011, 02:43 AM
#32
01-10-2011, 07:05 AM
Some with run flats did 
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