Snow/Ice winter tires

708 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright

What is this discussion about? Tires, Wheels

For the general tire discussion topic, have a look at the Tires, tires, tires topic.

Outline

Messages Page 19 of 72: 1; ...; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; ...; 72; Prev; Next; Last

#172 of 708 Nokian NRW by xcskier Nov 09, 2002 (8:25 pm)
I used these last winter on a Subaru WRX wagon, and was very pleased with their performance. The OE Bridgestone RE92 tire on this car is V-rated. The NRW's were H rated, which is the highest I could find. The other Nokian snow tires (Hakka Q and Hakka 1)have lower speed ratings. Even though it's supposed to be all-weather, I switch tires seasonally. My experience is that the NRWs are a little softer cornering, but have much superior grip on snow/slush/ice. I did use the Bridgestones for a few weeks in January before the NRWs were delivered, and I was disappointed with how easy it was to break the traction loose. Once they were installed, the Nokians made a huge improvement. Combined with AWD, I enjoyed very good performance and confidence during winter mountain driving conditions in northern Utah. Most WRX posters elsewhere on this site bemoan the Bridgestones. I'm waiting for them to wear and replace with something with better performance for summer driving.
#173 of 708 Green Diamond retread tires by hpulley4 Nov 10, 2002 (5:27 am)
Just another note about the Green Diamond. My car (MINI Cooper)'s owner's manual specifically states not to use retread tires. Now, whether this is a comment to be taken with a grain of salt or whether it really causes problems (with the ABS-sensor based tire pressure monitors perhaps?) I don't know but I thought it interesting that they specifically mentioned that I should not use them.
#174 of 708 Kumho winter tire by pluto5 Nov 10, 2002 (7:18 am)
The CR article must have given Kumho a boost since Tirerack raised the price on the 15" by 20%.
#175 of 708 apyrc and nokians in NW by brick22 Nov 10, 2002 (11:21 am)
Thanks for the number. But have you asked if they have 16" WRs in stock? I've called at least five different Tire Factory shops and they either say an order will take over a month or they try to tell me Nokian WR isn't made in 215/55/16 or they say WRs are unavailable at all. I'll call the Spokane store Monday.
#176 of 708 Nokian WR (first impression) by samsvr6 Nov 10, 2002 (3:01 pm)
Well, I finally received the tires from etires.com. The size is 205/55/16. The price is $138 each plus shipping. Had them mounted at a Discount Tire store 2 days ago for my wife's Pontiac Vibe. I traded in the OEM's Goodyear RSA (all season high performance) for free mounting and balancing plus lifetime rotation. Here is a brief review on different aspects. Most of the time I am comparing to the OEM Goodyear RSA. Noise: This is a pleasant surprise. It is actually slightly quieter than the RSA! I was expecting noise to be slightly worse because of the large independent tread block design and the sipes. Definitely 2 thumbs up in this area!! Ride comfort: I can feel that the rubber compound and the sidewall is softer than the RSA. As such the WR is able to absorb road irregularities, potholes, and bumps better than the RSA. Dry handling: Because of the softer rubber and sidewall, steering response is slower. The RSA was more responsive to steering input than the WR. I have not push the WR hard yet in curves or corners but I think the RSA will have a slight edge. However, since my wife doesn't drive hard at all, she doesn't care about handling. Fuel economy: Still a little early to tell. I had 150 miles on the WR already and so far it is on par with the RSA. Treadwear: Nokian has a 50,000 miles warranty for the WR. Also, I looked at the side wall and it has a treadwear rating of 420! Amazing! The RSA rated at 260. The Continental CH95(an all season touring tire) on my previous Passat is rated at 360. I had 32,000 miles on the CH95 before I sold the Passat and they still had 1/2 of the tread left. So, I am sure the WR will outlast 50,000 miles and more. Snow handling: Don't know yet and it hasn't snow. But I have full confidence in Nokian because they got good reputation. Plus, the WR met the new severe service requirement not just the crappy M+S. Let it snow, let it snow!! Conclusion: I like the WR very very much and I intend to keep them on all year round based on the above reasons. I had a colleague rode with me and he couldn't believe that I had snow tires on!!!
#177 of 708 brick22 by samsvr6 Nov 10, 2002 (4:49 pm)
Check out etires.com. They listed the WR 215/55/16 in stock. Here is the list of sizes that etires.com carry for the WR: Part # Size/Description Sidewall $/Tire Availability T443426 175/65R14 82T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443460 185/55R14 80H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443428 185/65R14 86T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443430 185/65R14 86H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443598 195/70R14 91T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443462 185/55R15 86H XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443432 185/65R15 88T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443434 185/65R15 88H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443464 195/55R15 85H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443448 195/60R15 88H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443436 195/65R15 91T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443438 195/65R15 95T XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443440 195/65R15 91H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443450 205/60R15 91H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443442 205/65R15 100T XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443444 205/65R15 94H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443424 205/70R15 96H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443360 215/70R15 98H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443454 225/60R15 96H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443400 235/75R15 105T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443492 205/50R16 87H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443466 205/55R16 91H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443468 205/55R16 94V Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443452 205/60R16 92H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443470 215/55R16 97H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443416 215/65R16 98H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443478 225/50R16 96V XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443472 225/55R16 95H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443456 225/60R16 98H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443404 225/70R16 103T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443458 235/60R16 100H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443406 235/70R16 105T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443402 235/75R16 108T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443408 245/70R16 108T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443418 255/65R16 109H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443410 255/70R16 111T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443412 265/70R16 114T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443480 225/45R17 91H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443482 225/45R17 94V XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443476 225/55R17 101V XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443484 235/45R17 94H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443486 235/45R17 97V XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443446 235/65R17 104H Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443488 255/40R17 98V XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443422 255/55R17 104T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Good T443414 265/70R17 113T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443420 275/60R17XL 111T Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443490 225/40R18 92V XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited T443596 235/50R18 101W XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall Call Limited
#178 of 708 green diamonds / hpulley by anonymous02 Nov 10, 2002 (5:04 pm)
From what I gathered off their web site, these are not like the "retread" tires of yesteryear. These are total caps, with just the carcass of the tire as a husk or shell, or whatever. Frankly, I don't drive fast in the winter, so it isn't really an issue. I can't wait to try these Blizzak beating built-in studded tires.
#179 of 708 samsvr6 and etires by brick22 Nov 11, 2002 (12:42 pm)
I know. And you know what? When I called, they told me they only had NRWs in 215/55/16. I didn't ask about 205s.
#180 of 708 brick22 by samsvr6 Nov 11, 2002 (6:43 pm)
First time I called, they told me the same thing. 205/55/16 is only available in NRW. He went on to say that Nokian has decided not to bring in the 205. He said I should get the NRW first and wait, maybe Nokian will bring in the WR later. I said no thanks. I then went to the website and ordered it anyway because it let me. The order was processed and now I got my tires. What I think is happening is that they are trying to clear their NRW inventory. I suggest that you order through their website. Don't bother calling them. They don't charge you till they ship the tires. IF there are disputes down the road, you can always call your credit card to cancle payment. You will receive a confirmation e-mail. You will also get another e-mail when they ship. If they don't ship within 2 days, call them. It took me 2 calls and 5 days before they shipped.
#181 of 708 Nokians in Spokane by apyrc Nov 12, 2002 (12:17 pm)
brick22- In Spokane I talked with Scott (he handles the Nokian accounts) Yesterday I ordered 255 70R16s for my QX4, and 225 50R16s for my Lexus. He didn't have them in stock, he normally gets shippments from Portland within a day or two. However, he said that he had to order mine from Tenn. But- he did say that it should only take five business days tops. In the past when he ordered from that location it would only take 3-5 days... FYI -Andrew