Thoughts on Winter Tire: Toyo Observe G02plus - Page 2

dcurtis · November 1st, 2009, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racing_Rush

dcurtis, I can only assume that the TPMS in the VW doesn't have a readout of actual tire pressures. That is a shame because that feature is avaliable on lots of vehicles.

For the tire recommendation I have run WS50's and loved them. With 3 seasons on them and I probley wouldn't put any more then that (remember you need at least 5/32 of tread depth for deep snow if that a problem in your area). So the new WS-60 is a good recommendation.

That would be correct, you only get a yellow light on the dash that basically tells you to check the tires, one's low. I find it useless as I regularly check my tires.

And yes, the W50s are great snow tires. I am surprised that some of the posters didn't like them. That said, enough people have recomended the Toyos they bear looking at when I am due for new snows.

Matt-98AHU · November 1st, 2009, 18:59

This upcoming winter will be the 4th season for my Michelin X-Ice tires. They give super-hero traction in the snow. I seriously embarass AWD vehicles on all seasons with these tires. They're amazing.

I've driven stupidly fast on these things in atrocious conditions and never once felt unsafe. I tend to seek out the back roads few people drive on and are the last to get plowed. It's less frustrating because there's no slow, ill-prepared vehicles in the way. Plus I can have some fun

Michelin has since replaced these tires with X-Ice Xi2 tires.

I've had a little experience with Toyo's Proxes line of tires (TPTs and 4s mostly) and they provide great performance bang for your buck (I do have a set of Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2s on my Mk3 that are better summer tires, though. But for much more money). I cannot comment on their snow tires, but as always they're a very competitive price.

Once you've gone to a specialized proper winter tire, there's no going back to 'getting by' with all-seasons. There is such a huge increase in traction that it makes snow driving actually fun, not to mention FAR safer.

NB_TDi · November 2nd, 2009, 03:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt-98AHU

I seriously embarass AWD vehicles on all seasons with these tires.

hehe I know what you mean! There's a hill just down the road that the transit gets stuck on, trucks, cars and even fire trucks!

Last year it was snowing quite a bit and people were pulled over on the side of this street and others were trying their hardest to get up. I just left the car in 2nd and went on up. I think my wife was waving at people too....

Cosmic Green · November 2nd, 2009, 07:22

I've used Toyo Observe G-02 and the newer G-02 Plus for about 12 years on various vehicles. I think they're an excellent tire!

TomB · November 2nd, 2009, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcurtis

Blizzack WS60 period.

X2.

Have the Blizzack on two vehicles and the Revo1 model on the Passat specifically.

Only winter tires I will use. They WORK and perform on wet, snow and ice.

TomB · November 2nd, 2009, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by NB_TDi

hehe I know what you mean! There's a hill just down the road that the transit gets stuck on, trucks, cars and even fire trucks!

Last year it was snowing quite a bit and people were pulled over on the side of this street and others were trying their hardest to get up. I just left the car in 2nd and went on up. I think my wife was waving at people too....

X2.

They are shocked where a VW, in my case the Passat gets through and they don't!!

Then again, there is the driver skills too that come into play.

dcurtis · November 2nd, 2009, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB

X2.

Have the Blizzack on two vehicles and the Revo1 model on the Passat specifically.

Only winter tires I will use. They WORK and perform on wet, snow and ice.

I've got the REVOs now, probably one more winter with them. They are better on dry roads than the WSs, good on ice, not as good in the deep snow. Next year I'm back to WS60s

NHTDI · November 4th, 2009, 09:02

Thanks for all the input. I purchased the Toyo Observe G-02Plus on a set of steel wheels. Minus the TPMS sensors.

My next choice would have been the WS-60.
The tires are nearly identical. Plenty of deep lugs, dual compounds, sipes for grip.

jollyGreenGiant · November 5th, 2009, 10:34

I had a great experience with some Toyo Garit's last winter.

Also, Pirelli Winter Carving's are pretty sweet.

Pat Dolan · November 6th, 2009, 17:02

This thread has me curious about the Toyos. Toyo makes some FINE dry surface sport rubber. The ice racing community (rubber-to-ice class) doesn't seem to have found them (G02+). Generally, it is the Michelin Arctic Alpin, Blizzak and one of the Hakkas that are competitive. We'll see what comes this winter.

milehighassassin · November 6th, 2009, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Dolan

This thread has me curious about the Toyos. Toyo makes some FINE dry surface sport rubber. The ice racing community (rubber-to-ice class) doesn't seem to have found them (G02+). Generally, it is the Michelin Arctic Alpin, Blizzak and one of the Hakkas that are competitive. We'll see what comes this winter.

I would love to get involved with the ice racing group around here, but they only allow all-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

I think my golf with my good winter rubber, the traction control and someone who out a lot of miles on their car, much of it on winter roads could give them a run for their money.

Pat Dolan · November 7th, 2009, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by milehighassassin

I would love to get involved with the ice racing group around here, but they only allow all-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

I think my golf with my good winter rubber, the traction control and someone who out a lot of miles on their car, much of it on winter roads could give them a run for their money.

Around here, we allow anything that is NOT AWD or 4WD.

Why don`t you get together with a local SCCA chapter and see about setting up some classes. Maybe start with solo events (ice dices) to build a body of racers. I have run those with an old Jetta MkII TD and done VERY well on both rubber and street stud classes (even managed to hose a Celica All Trac running the same rubber a few times).

Our most successful wheel-to-wheel class was for dead stock 2 litre or under (some exceptions allowed - Chrysler Omni & Neon) with less than 150 HP advertised 2WD coupes and sedans.

This kind of racing is down to go kart costs, and just as much fun.

milehighassassin · November 8th, 2009, 10:40

Right now with my schedule it isn't really a possibility. I am in school full time during the week, working full time Friday-Sunday. I think the current circuit is ran by a 4x4 club. Maybe once I graduate I will look into it.

NHTDI · November 24th, 2009, 14:15

I went with the Toyo Observe G02+ from Town Fair Tire.(I'm not associated)
They initially where trying to save me money and priced 15 inch tires on steel wheels for my 09 JSW. Their system said they would fit. Well they came in yesterday and I stopped in to get them installed. The manager quickly notified me they wouldn't fit and he would order overnight 205/55R16T on steel wheels at the same cost as the 15 inch pkg. Ok, that was decent.

I'm sitting in the waiting room today and the manager remarked the wheels came with standard VW plastic covers! I thought that was odd to get VW covers.
Get home and pop the cover off and sure enough I have OEM VW steel whls courtesy of T.F.T. !

Maybe it was something to do with overnighting the right wheels and they happened to be out of their generic brand? But months ago I priced OEM steel whls and was shocked at the $110/each price at VW.

You may want to check out TFT, they are better than online options.