Let's talk WINTER tires 2015/16

[BMDUBS]

Is there anywhere local that offers studding of winter tires?

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by tirebob
Depends on what you want in regards to the characteristics that are your biggest priority vs what you are willing to sacrifice really...

Do you want maximum traction at minimum cost? Do you want smoother and quieter and better handling vs maximum deeper snow traction and ice traction? Do you want uber premium at any price or better balance at a more reasonable cost?

Thoughts?

I am comfortable paying $250/corner installed on stock wheels. Good drivability on packed snow/ruts (most of Saskatoon beyond main roads) and some ability in deep snow for the odd venture to the lake or extra heavy snowfall.

I have never bought winter tires for anything previously.

[Squishy]

Was going to run the GSI5s on my evo. Will probably have to buy new. They also don't make them in 245/40/18 so I was going to get 235/50/18.

Anyone have thoughts on that? If I find a set of blizzaks on kijiji before I make my purchase of toyos I might snag some blizzaks instead..

[heli212]

which place would you recommend for tire mounting where they wont damage my wheels??
thx in advance.

[tirebob]

Originally posted by JRSC00LUDE


I am comfortable paying $250/corner installed on stock wheels. Good drivability on packed snow/ruts (most of Saskatoon beyond main roads) and some ability in deep snow for the odd venture to the lake or extra heavy snowfall.

I have never bought winter tires for anything previously.

On my 2wd F150 I run Firestone Winterforce UV's studded, which are extremely aggessive and I love them for that purpose. Being 2wd and with roads in Airdrie being a lot like you describe, I have yet to find a tire that works as hard as these do. I do not mind that they are a bit noisy and that they are not super crispy feeling on dry pavement because they work like a hot damn in the shitty stuff. Price wise they very reasonable for what you get.

Now if you want something smoother and quieter and great on ice, any of the premium ice tires are great. My personal preference in this regard is to the Bridgestone Blizzak's (DMV2 is the latest model), but all the premium choices are quite good. The only thing is they are not as aggressive in the heavier snow, which is why I use the Firestone. No right or wrong answer here. Just a preference...

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by heli212
which place would you recommend for tire mounting where they wont damage my wheels??
thx in advance.

There's a good local shop called Urban Expressions that has an excellent reputation around here. Three locations, great service Google will find them, but always phone for fastest response.

[heli212]

^^ thank you

[relyt92]

+1 for UrbanX. There are so few days where I feel like studs are needed in our winters that I don't imagine I'd want to deal with them for the rest of winter just for the ~15 days of garbage we get. This year is my first year with awd though, so I'll be interested to see how my winters (WS70) that I ran last year on a rwd car feel with awd though.

[Jonathanl10]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow

There's a good local shop called Urban Expressions that has an excellent reputation around here. Three locations, great service Google will find them, but always phone for fastest response.

Which shop at UrbanX? South or North? Or are they both equally good?

[dj_rice]

Originally posted by Jonathanl10
Which shop at UrbanX? South or North? Or are they both equally good?

Both are legit

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by heli212
which place would you recommend for tire mounting where they wont damage my wheels??
thx in advance.

I know a place with a Hunter Auto34 and very experienced tire techs. See sig

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by Squishy
Was going to run the GSI5s on my evo. Will probably have to buy new. They also don't make them in 245/40/18 so I was going to get 235/50/18.

I can't say I love the idea of 235/50R18 tires on an EVO X. If you want to go the tall/skinny route it would be better to use a 225/45R18 or even 235/45R18. The 235/50 is really tall and will likely rub the front fender liners, plus it will look pretty odd in a rally kind of way.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by Tuner1
The 235/50 is really tall and will likely rub the front fender liners, plus it will look pretty odd in a rally kind of way.

Summary, this is awesome.

[civic_stylez]

Originally posted by tirebob


On my 2wd F150 I run Firestone Winterforce UV's studded, which are extremely aggessive and I love them for that purpose. Being 2wd and with roads in Airdrie being a lot like you describe, I have yet to find a tire that works as hard as these do. I do not mind that they are a bit noisy and that they are not super crispy feeling on dry pavement because they work like a hot damn in the shitty stuff. Price wise they very reasonable for what you get.

Now if you want something smoother and quieter and great on ice, any of the premium ice tires are great. My personal preference in this regard is to the Bridgestone Blizzak's (DMV2 is the latest model), but all the premium choices are quite good. The only thing is they are not as aggressive in the heavier snow, which is why I use the Firestone. No right or wrong answer here. Just a preference...

I couldn't believe how well the Firestone Winterforces worked on my Grand Cherokee a few years back. Super aggressive tire but was an absolute beast in the deeper snow. I tried to get my Jeep stuck a few time to test the limits of the 4WD and the winterforces together. Every time it just plowed through the snow. Awesome snow tire for the cost.

[Tuner1]

Here is an EVO X with a normal 18" no-rub winter set-up


» Click image for larger version

[Charmander]

Anyone have any idea whether or not I can just go to Costco or some car guy to get some winters for my 428i?

Was originally thinking of keeping the all seasons on for the winter but figured if I could get winters for a decent price I would do it. But the Dunlop ones from bmw cost so much.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by Charmander
Anyone have any idea whether or not I can just go to Costco or some car guy to get some winters for my 428i?

Was originally thinking of keeping the all seasons on for the winter but figured if I could get winters for a decent price I would do it. But the Dunlop ones from bmw cost so much.

Spec R Motorsports is doing BMW winter tire and wheel packages.

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by civic_stylez


I couldn't believe how well the Firestone Winterforces worked on my Grand Cherokee a few years back. Super aggressive tire but was an absolute beast in the deeper snow. I tried to get my Jeep stuck a few time to test the limits of the 4WD and the winterforces together. Every time it just plowed through the snow. Awesome snow tire for the cost.

Did you have them studded or not?

[AllGoNoShow]

Originally posted by Charmander
Anyone have any idea whether or not I can just go to Costco or some car guy to get some winters for my 428i?

Was originally thinking of keeping the all seasons on for the winter but figured if I could get winters for a decent price I would do it. But the Dunlop ones from bmw cost so much.

I wouldn't, I'd run myself... notorious for damage and no appointments. Go see Tuner1 (thread creator) at Tunerworks for great options and install on your 4-series without damage.

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by Charmander
Anyone have any idea whether or not I can just go to Costco or some car guy to get some winters for my 428i?

Was originally thinking of keeping the all seasons on for the winter but figured if I could get winters for a decent price I would do it. But the Dunlop ones from bmw cost so much.

You can probably get round, black rubber winter tires to fit your 428i GC from any tire dealer but the advantage of dealing with a specialist is the knowledge to get you the most appropriate tire for your needs and budget. At the end of the day there is likely very little price difference between the specialists and the bog box generic places but saving $100 and getting tires that are less-than-ideal doesn't seem like good value.

I often wonder why people wouldn't trust the big box staff to advise on which car to buy but they trust them to recommend tires that they have probably never owned or even driven on