Best snow tires for stock style 67 wheels?

[Maxhouse97]

What is everyone running in snowy climates? Tire rack limits you to brands (3) that have the exact staggered sizes (225 and 255), this doesn’t include brands like Michelin PA4 which I like. I was thinking Michelin has 235/40-18 and 245/40-18, but would have to deal with different final diameters which might cause problems with the DSC? Anyways I’m looking for overall recommendations... Cincinnati is not the snow capital of the world, but I’d like performance snow tires I don’t have to worry about If it snows a couple of inches.

[bmwMpower1]

Been using Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 and R3 in 225/245 for 5+ years and highly recommend them for winter performance alone. I live in metro Denver area and have driven in some pretty crazy conditions without issue.

I don't really focus on the balance of the tire for dry performance but it seems pretty decent to me. I prioritize safety over all when it comes to winter. Somebody like Ian could probably recommend a tire with more of a winter/performance balance.

[tnord]

I have the michelin PA3 or whatever it is on the 330. no issues in snow or high speed highway driving in the dry.

[Rkymtnrider]

Hakkapeliitta 9 w/studs on the audi avant. Hakka 8 w/studs on the taco. M doesn’t leave the garage for 6 months.

[kermmmit7]

I tried michelin PA4, X-ice and Bridgestone WS80. WS80 were the best for snow but too soft for performance driving , DSC was blinking most of time .... I heard that WS90 are better but didn't try them. If most of the time you drive on clean streets PA4 are the best, you can go with 235/40 245/40 . X-ice are between those two, good for snow and clean streets . I used 225/45 245/40.

[tnord]

we have blizzak snow tires on the F15 also. it gets driven more than any other vehicle including on long road trips. they're the ones focused on snow traction rather than "performance snow" because it's the wife's DD. they haven't melted and we haven't died at speeds above 80.

which reminds me, I need to get that set out and inspect before our trip to Denver in a few weeks.

[Obioban]

With winter tires, you really have to decide if you want a winter performance tire, that'll function in the ice/snow, or a tire that's actually good in the ice/snow... but not in the dry.

We're running a mix, in my family. On the cars I drive, I have winter performance tires-- specifically the Pilot Alpine, which I think is the best of the class. They allow me to not hate the cars in the winter, and I can get by if I get stuck out in unexpected snow/ice.

On the wife/family cars, we run actual ice/snow tires. We specifically run X-Ices, but there's a couple good options in this category, imo (and some truly horrible ones). I find the driving dynamics of the X-Ices the least offensive of the actual snow/ice tires I've driven on, which is pretty much how I've chosen them.

If you drive hard, an actual ice/snow set isn't going to last. I burned through a set of Blizzaks in <1000 miles by driving them like they were Pilot Alpines. After that, when driving not my cars I drive very gently in the winter...

And, yeah... stock sizes aren't really an option if you want to choose based on compound. Narrower tires are better in the snow, so just get something like 225 or 235 square.

I really miss the old (now discontinued, and replaced with an inferior tire) Dunlop wintersport M3. It was good0 in the dry, better than average in the snow, and available in stock sizes. The closest thing there has been to a no compromise snow for this car.



Edit: man, current me regrets the red roundel that 15 year ago me thought was cool :P

[Maxhouse97]

Thanks guys - just order PA4 245/40-18s square, should do me good.

[JayVee]

The best winter tires are a cheap Subaru or Jeep. They also will prevent rust and winter wear and tear.

[MTiz]

The best winter tires are a cheap Subaru or Jeep. They also will prevent rust and winter wear and tear.

But what if you want to go drifting in the snow? 😎

[Mspir3d]

When I lived on Magnolia road in Boulder I ran blizzaks on the m3. Made it home every time with the exception of a couple crazy nights. Getting up the driveway was never going to happen though without awd. The paint on the car really gets torn up by sand though, I’d agree the best snow tire is a cheap awd vehicle if possible.

[heinzboehmer]

When I lived on Magnolia road in Boulder I ran blizzaks on the m3. Made it home every time with the exception of a couple crazy nights. Getting up the driveway was never going to happen though without awd. The paint on the car really gets torn up by sand though, I’d agree the best snow tire is a cheap awd vehicle if possible.

That road is no joke. Especially with the way it snows there.

[Mars]

Thanks guys - just order PA4 245/40-18s square, should do me good.

I've been running those for the past three NYC winters. Love 'em!!

[Andy2424]

With winter tires, you really have to decide if you want a winter performance tire, that'll function in the ice/snow, or a tire that's actually good in the ice/snow... but not in the dry.

We're running a mix, in my family. On the cars I drive, I have winter performance tires-- specifically the Pilot Alpine, which I think is the best of the class. They allow me to not hate the cars in the winter, and I can get by if I get stuck out in unexpected snow/ice.

On the wife/family cars, we run actual ice/snow tires. We specifically run X-Ices, but there's a couple good options in this category, imo (and some truly horrible ones). I find the driving dynamics of the X-Ices the least offensive of the actual snow/ice tires I've driven on, which is pretty much how I've chosen them.

If you drive hard, an actual ice/snow set isn't going to last. I burned through a set of Blizzaks in <1000 miles by driving them like they were Pilot Alpines. After that, when driving not my cars I drive very gently in the winter...

And, yeah... stock sizes aren't really an option if you want to choose based on compound. Narrower tires are better in the snow, so just get something like 225 or 235 square.

I really miss the old (now discontinued, and replaced with an inferior tire) Dunlop wintersport M3. It was good0 in the dry, better than average in the snow, and available in stock sizes. The closest thing there has been to a no compromise snow for this car.



Edit: man, current me regrets the red roundel that 15 year ago me thought was cool :P

Is a great photo

Red ❤