Author Topic: best winter snow tires? (Read 8818 times)

TOW'D · « **on:** November 18, 2008, 11:16:41 am »

Howdy Gang,
We need to get some good winter / snow tires for our '85 Golf
it has P175/70R14 on it now.
Out here in the rainy west coast we get icy frozen rain. So studs are in order for the Golf
We just installed a set of studded Hankoo winters P195/80R14 on
my wife's 245 Volvo and they sure look good.

I've always liked the tall skinny tire in the winter on acVW's and Volvos but don't have much experience with these FWD VW's and small diameter tires

175 or 185 or bigger

What do you use for winter tires?
cheers
hank

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2008, 11:45:07 am »

E-bay is about the only place to find new studed tires!
i'm in a search for my self!
Duane
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories___4-NEW-175-70-14-Hankook-W409-Snow-Winter-Tires-Studded_W0QQitemZ190259912918QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item190259912918&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1194%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

burn_your_money · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2008, 02:07:20 pm »

Up here most tire shops will sell studded tires.

I like tall and skinny, and I usually just run the Canadian Tire nordics, but I'm not sure if you can stud them

cyrus #1 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2008, 05:00:55 pm »

I have those hankooks that Duane posted. Mine aren't studded but they still have a pretty mean bite. I drive up to the ski hill every weekend and do quite a few road trips over mountain passes. They haven't failed me yet!

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2008, 05:55:06 pm »

My build is for specifically ski hill driving and i have huge mud&snow tires on it. (By huge i mean a lot larger than stock haha)

I don't think mud&snow means **** all. I'll just have to wait.
They are 195/65/15's. Toyo's.

TOW'D · « **Reply #5 on:** November 18, 2008, 07:13:05 pm »

sorry but
The tires on my Golf are P175/70 R13 not 14's

must have been wishful thinking on my part

hank

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #6 on:** November 18, 2008, 07:39:44 pm »

they got them too on flea bay little cheaper !
Duane

AudiVWguy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2008, 07:55:38 pm »

Do a Google search for Nokia Hakkapeliitta. They are made in Finland. They are designed to work with studs. "Buy the best and cry once"
Cheers,
-JB

passatdiesel · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2008, 06:13:06 am »

I agree, I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta studded tires and are very happy with them. They seem to outlast the blizzaks which have a softer rubber compound. Both are excellent tires.

conor · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2008, 07:09:56 am »

From the ones i've tried, the blizzaks are very good, but are soft. If you run them on dry roads a bit, they'll only last you one season. The hakkapeliitas are about the best out there that can be found easily, but can be pretty spendy. I run Gislaved Nord-Frosts, which are definitely the best i've run for traction (though a bit loud in comparison). The downside is they they are pretty tough to find in the states...you may have better luck up north.

conor

rallydiesel · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2008, 10:55:36 am »

I have the Nordics from Canadian Tire this winter and so far they're good but we haven't seen much for snow yet. I run studless but the website says you can get them studded.

They're great if you're on a budget.

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2008, 11:07:55 am »

Quote from: "rallydiesel"

I have the Nordics from Canadian Tire this winter and so far they're good but we haven't seen much for snow yet. I run studless but the website says you can get them studded.

They're great if you're on a budget.

I used these last year as well. Good tire. I've never had anything else so I can't compare them, but they were better than my all seasons the year before. :lol:

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2008, 11:46:17 am »

Most of the literature seems to point to narrower being better for winter traction than wide... think trying to skate on a snow-covered lake with snow-shoes on your feet. Narrower tires float less and dig in more.

Having said that... average conditions are important to consider... are your highways bare most of the time anyways ? Need something that grips freezing rain half the time ??

I run Yokohamas (rated for M&S) during the summer and slightly narrower Goodyear UltraGrips in the winter and the difference in grip is shocking if I don't get to the swap before the first snow. Used to run very cheap but super skinny 155s on my Caddy and that sucker could pull thru any amount of drifting snow better than my Jetta with the UltraGrips.. but no where near as good on dry or icy pavement.

My point: probably no universal best tire for the winter... it will depend on what your winters typically throw at ya !!

TOW'D · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2008, 05:05:07 pm »

Good advice

I'm getting 4 studded Hankook winters P175/70R13
$68 tire + $18 studs + $ 8 freight + tax and eco fee each
I'll mount them on spare rims and run them til spring.
I had Blizzaks on my '86 Syncro, they were nice and quiet with no studs
these new tires will make some noise but good traction is what I want.
thanks guys

hank

jtanguay · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2008, 05:21:16 pm »

they've banned studded tires here in On didn't they??? at least the southern portion... and made winter tires mandatory in Qc. i bet lots of winter tire companies are doing very well... should have bought some stock!!! :lol:

Author Topic: best winter snow tires? (Read 8818 times)

AudiVWguy