Opinion on Winter Tires

[artieg30]

Hey guys, i'm looking for a winter tire set for a 2002 BMW 540 (rear wheel drive), the good folks at Urban Ex have helped me narrow it down to two choices based on driving habits etc.

- Michelin X Ice 3
- Toyo Observe G3 Ice (non studded)

I'll only be doing city driving and the odd trip here and there to Banff/Canmore though i'd say that wouldn't really influence my decision to go with studded or a more grippy tire. From the reviews i read online and from what Gary at the shop told me the G3 tires are much better for grip and come in at ~$100 cheaper than the X Ice 3's. It would seem like a clear choice here but does any one have any feed back/input on these two tires?

Thanks,

Art

[gpomp]

Here's a good winter tire review that lists both of your options:

https://www.apa.ca/wintertire_reviews.asp

[shakalaka]

Quattrotires.com was substantially cheaper than anywhere else for what I needed. It's in Canadian currency as they are located in Montreal.

Nvm, just noticed you weren't asking about where to buy them lol.

[Sentry]

I bought winters from Quattro last year and agree, their prices are excellent. Shipping is reasonable and fast.

[max_boost]

Xi3 if you want a longer lasting tire
WS80 I swear by but tread life maybe 2/3 of the MIchelin

[flipstah]

I use the XI3 right now on the E550 and it's holding up well.

[max_boost]

plus Calgary driving is all about surviving until the next Chinook lol

I would say you wouldn't even need winter tires if you have all seasons and commute out of rush hour.

[artieg30]

Thanks for the input guys! From what it sounds like the X ice 3 is a lot more durable, for those of you with FR cars and X ice 3's what's the grip like in the last couple weeks?

Max_boost, I was under that similar mentality too as i live and work downtown, in fact most of the times I would only be driving on weekends or the odd week night for groceries etc so the car rarely gets used.

However, since the snowstorm over Xmas eve where i actually got stuck on a residential street I decided to take a closer look at dedicated winter tires for extra grip and safety.

[max_boost]

without a doubt it makes a difference and winter tires will give you that smug feeling passing the noobs driving 40 on memorial or 70 on deerfoot lol

i mean for your needs the Xi3 will do just fine. they aren't as good as my blizzak ws80
haha but they are a very popular tire 3rd generation now.

[flipstah]

Xi3 is still tail happy in mine but have to lay the hammer down to snap it.

[Skyline_Addict]

I have the xi3 on my awd station wagon and the thing feels invincible out there. I have blizzard lm25 performance winters on my GT-R and they're only passable as a winter tire but allow me to have a lot of fun in the car when I feel inclined to slide around corners.

[rlim891]

I have used both Blizzark and Xi3 before but this year I decided to give the Nokian Hakkappelitta 8 a try. It is far more impressive than the blizzark and Xi3. Although its a bit noisy but grip and control is insane.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ce-data-page-3

[rage2]

I love how every winter tire thread confuses the performance of the tires by comparing performance winters, winters, and studded winters from different brands which makes zero sense. Totally different tires for totally different purposes.

On snow and ice, studded > winters > performance winters.

On plowed roads, performance winters > winters > studded. Same order for wear rates here.

Figure out what conditions you want to maximize traction over the winter, choose the type of tire, and compare the same type across different brands to make a proper comparison and choice.

[Skyline_Addict]

Originally posted by rage2
I love how every winter tire thread confuses the performance of the tires by comparing performance winters, winters, and studded winters from different brands which makes zero sense. Totally different tires for totally different purposes.

On snow and ice, studded > winters > performance winters.

On plowed roads, performance winters > winters > studded. Same order for wear rates here.

Figure out what conditions you want to maximize traction over the winter, choose the type of tire, and compare the same type across different brands to make a proper comparison and choice.

Yup, you're right on point.

When I'm talking about or am asked about the effectiveness of winter tires, in my mind I am always picturing them on (mostly) snow and (sometimes) ice. On plowed, dry and cold pavement during the winter, the advantage definitely goes toperformance winters.

[cancer man]

Go buy some sandbags.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by rlim891
I have used both Blizzark and Xi3 before but this year I decided to give the Nokian Hakkappelitta 8 a try. It is far more impressive than the blizzark and Xi3. Although its a bit noisy but grip and control is insane.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ce-data-page-3

I've been pretty unimpressed with Hakka 8 Studded. I think my studded Champiro Ice Pro offer better feedback in dry conditions, feel more stable under braking on snow, and last longer too for just over half the price.

[KRyn]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo


I've been pretty unimpressed with Hakka 8 Studded. I think my studded Champiro Ice Pro offer better feedback in dry conditions, feel more stable under braking on snow, and last longer too for just over half the price.

I second this opinion (at least on ice and hard packed snow). After spending an afternoon out on Ghost Lake, I had the chance to drive two very similar cars (2004 Subaru Impreza Outback with studded Sailun Ice Blazers vs a 2008 Subaru Legacy Outback GT with studded Hakka 8s) back to back. In all honestly, at double the cost the Hakka 8s were not double the tire. With that said, I am sure they are mildly better behaved and mannered on dry pavement.

[GTR_Auto]

Have driven both. Both preform the same

If you go Toyos you can be cool and drive on walnuts :P

[rlim891]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo


I've been pretty unimpressed with Hakka 8 Studded. I think my studded Champiro Ice Pro offer better feedback in dry conditions, feel more stable under braking on snow, and last longer too for just over half the price.

hmm interesting to hear. Braking and accelerating on snow on my g37x was awesome.

[J-D]

I've been quite happy with my Xi3s, but would easily have considered the WS80 or R2s in their stead. My opinion is probably pretty useless because it's my first year running true winters