2018-2019 Winter tire discussion

[tonytiger55]

I took my friends vehicle to Urban Xpressions in the SW last week. Went to get two sets of replacement tires. Ended up getting a set of Federal Himalayas. Great service by Jordan and his team.

[Swank]

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Got my federal Himalayas swapped onto the odyssey this week. As always good service from Bob and the crew at Urban Expressions North.

Jordan @ UrbanX Horton will be putting my new set on this weekend, wicked price on those. How do you find they handle?

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I took my friends vehicle to Urban Xpressions in the SW last week. Went to get two sets of replacement tires. Ended up getting a set of Federal Himalayas. Great service by Jordan and his team.

Haha, looks like Jordan is selling those to everyone lately!

[ExtraSlow]

Have had them for a couple seasons and they are very good. Quite happy with them.

[asp integra]

+1 for Urban X, best guys in town for wheels/tires. I've had the Federal Himalayas on a few vehicles and they are amazing winters. I would say better than the blizzak WS80s I had on my a4 avant.

[tonytiger55]

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Jordan @ UrbanX Horton will be putting my new set on this weekend, wicked price on those. How do you find they handle?


Haha, looks like Jordan is selling those to everyone lately!

I had them on my Zonda a few years back (I still have them). They handle really well. When you factor in the price, its a good deal.
Im still very happy with them and got them put on my friends Suberu.

[BavarianBeast]

I'm heading over to see Jordan tomorrow to get my 19" winter contact SI's mounted on a TTRS. Can't wait for another solid snowfall.

[tirebob]

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No there shouldn't be. The only downsides to a 19 vs a 18 is cost which you covered and possibly less selection on tires/tire sizing (may not be an issue for your application anyways)

Not necessarily true. The benefits to an 18 over a 19 would be the tire has more a bit more sidewall which first offers the rim a bit more protection against impacts etc on potholes and so forth which is nice with our crappy roads, especially when you can't see them under the snow. This extra sidewall also gives the tires a little more flexibility which does translate into a bit better traction, especially when you are driving on snowy/icy uneven road surfaces. Lastly, you will generally find more aggressive winter options in 18 inch tire sizes than you will in 19 inch tire size options simply because the options they generally make in most 19 inch sizes take better dry weather handling etc into account, sacrificing on winter stick to achieve this since most of the vehicles they are going on are sportier by nature.

It all just depends what the first priority is for the user and what they are willing to sacrifice a bit to achieve their main goal.

[benyl]

Maybe too late, but I have PA4s on the wagon. published 577hp, but we all know they are underated.

Have been happy. lugs aren't very deep when new, but I win every contest at the stop light. haha Stopping is pretty good, but it is a performance tire. Deep snow is sometimes shit. But I've never gotten stuck.

[dj_rice]

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Maybe too late, but I have PA4s on the wagon. published 577hp, but we all know they are underated.

Have been happy. lugs aren't very deep when new, but I win every contest at the stop light. haha Stopping is pretty good, but it is a performance tire. Deep snow is sometimes shit. But I've never gotten stuck.

For our W213 E63 winter packages, MB has chosen to outfit those with Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4's as well. All of the other MB line up vehicles, get mounted with Pirelli's.

[A2VR6]

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Not necessarily true. The benefits to an 18 over a 19 would be the tire has more a bit more sidewall which first offers the rim a bit more protection against impacts etc on potholes and so forth which is nice with our crappy roads, especially when you can't see them under the snow. This extra sidewall also gives the tires a little more flexibility which does translate into a bit better traction, especially when you are driving on snowy/icy uneven road surfaces. Lastly, you will generally find more aggressive winter options in 18 inch tire sizes than you will in 19 inch tire size options simply because the options they generally make in most 19 inch sizes take better dry weather handling etc into account, sacrificing on winter stick to achieve this since most of the vehicles they are going on are sportier by nature.

It all just depends what the first priority is for the user and what they are willing to sacrifice a bit to achieve their main goal.

all very valid points. Personally if I was having issues finding the smaller diameter wheel to clear brakes etc, I would just settle for the larger diameter but if all else is equal i'd personally go with the smaller diameter.

[blownz]

Got my studded Hakka 9's on last week just before the first snowfall here in Edmonton that stayed on the road, so good timing. And like others mentioned, studs are fine in all of AB (this is my 5th vehicle with studded hakka's). Pic:

[BavarianBeast]

^ That setup looks dope! Thought it was an E63 at first glance lol.

[Brent.ff]

Go to get my winters on today... they received 3/4 wheels.. 4th is the wrong hub... doh! Particularly shitty considering the weather on the way home... get them fixed tomorrow, but get to drive in this shit

[nzwasp]

Ya just drove on ice down 17th ave SW towards 101st and it was shear ice there were some cars in the ditch too. No problem with the hakkas

[eblend]

Just threw on some studded Firestone Winterforce 2 on the Crosstrek and went out for a drive on the slick ass roads around my house, feels solid, but I don't know much about tires and these are my first winters in the 20 years of driving. Feels confident. Downsized from factory 18s to 16s for the winter.

Also put my new jack to the test, never lifted the whole front/read before, always had side jacks only, so it's a big upgrade for me all around.

[nickyh]

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Smells like bullshit to me.

Just curious, as I am having a hell of a time finding an 18" rim that will clear the callipers on my car.. Is there a huge performance difference between running an 18 vs 19"? I'm fine with paying more for the 19's, just don't want to sacrifice too much performance. Thanks gents.

Probably late to the game, but I was able to find an 18" for my RS3 that clears the callipers. Not sure what vehicle you are fitting on, but look at Neuspeed wheels (i have the RSe10)

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I might finally put my winter tires on soon I guess.

[dj_rice]

I currently rock Toyo Observe Garit KX, when I do need to switch in a few years, I'm leaning towards some Yokohama Iceguard IG52C. Anyone have experience on these?

[jaylo]

Weather is clearing up starting tomorrow and clear skies for at least a week so I would not worry too much about it yet.

[max_boost]

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I currently rock Toyo Observe Garit KX, when I do need to switch in a few years, I'm leaning towards some Yokohama Iceguard IG52C. Anyone have experience on these?

Ask us again in a few years lol