TDIMAXIMA
Top Post Dawg
i ordered the same one today. its a good tire i hear. good price too. lets see how they work.KiTDI said:
General Winter Tire Thread (Brands, Prices)
- Thread starter Marchmen
- Start date
KiTDI
Veteran Member
One thing i am very sure for the Semprit is the low noise. Its very quite on dry surface. Its like driving some all season in the summer time.
Once the snow comes (hopefully no soon), i will comment on its snow performance.....
Once the snow comes (hopefully no soon), i will comment on its snow performance.....
flipside
Veteran Member
got 3 sets a few week ago. Just put them on the wifes car at the beginning of the week. She likes them. The one for my sister and brother in law is H rated as well. 195/65/15 are 91H and 195/60/15 is 87T. If they are good in snow, will probably get one for myself when my winter pirelli's are done. Speed grips are R15 to 17, R14 and below are called winter grips. Same thread pattern as far as I can see.
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Beacher
Well-known member
Just to echo this - I recently got an over the phone quote for 205/55R16s:streeker02 said:
Hakka Rs -> 217.97 per tire (I almost fell off my chair)
Hakka WRG2s -> 188.69 per tire installed on my aluminum wheels for 755 + tax
Edit - I'm giving up on Nokians unless anyone knows of a deal for a lot cheaper than the above.
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Johhny04
Veteran Member
Streeker02 where did you find that price? Does that include installation and balance?streeker02 said:
streeker02
Veteran Member
Sent you a PM, Johnny.Johhny04 said:
mo_focus
Veteran Member
Can you send me a PM too please. I was actually looking at these tires as well. Looking at a set for 195-65-15streeker02 said:
streeker02
Veteran Member
PM sent.mo_focus said:
mo_focus
Veteran Member
mmm,didnt get it. I just sent ya a PMstreeker02 said:
Slave2school
Top Post Dawg
Mo Focus...."05 Freestyle LTD Black- now wives 
"
How many wives do you have?
"How many wives do you have?
SuperJ
Veteran Member
Check out Ted's Tire in Guelph for Nokian's. I got mine for the Corolla there last year.
For the Jetta I got a set of Dunlop Wintersport 3D's from tirerack.com. Tire rack has a Canadian shipping option were you pay duty and shipping together upfront. Even with the duty and shipping no one could touch there prices locally.
I've bought from tiretrends.com in BC before. They seem decent to deal with.
I love the WR's on the Corolla. They really are a good compromise for the not so severe conditions we have day to day.
The Dunlop Wintersports are similar to the X-Ice. They handle the dry great, and wear well, but still give good snow/ice grip with a good drainage pattern for high speed slush evacuation. There are a great commuter tire.
For the Jetta I got a set of Dunlop Wintersport 3D's from tirerack.com. Tire rack has a Canadian shipping option were you pay duty and shipping together upfront. Even with the duty and shipping no one could touch there prices locally.
I've bought from tiretrends.com in BC before. They seem decent to deal with.
I love the WR's on the Corolla. They really are a good compromise for the not so severe conditions we have day to day.
The Dunlop Wintersports are similar to the X-Ice. They handle the dry great, and wear well, but still give good snow/ice grip with a good drainage pattern for high speed slush evacuation. There are a great commuter tire.
Ookpic
Veteran Member
Ok, was going to start a new thread but decided to post here instead as this seems to be the correct thread.
I thought I was decided on X-Ice tires but I've read that the Nokians are superior. I'm looking for some confirmation from the tire gods. We live directly at the foot of Boler Mountain just outside of London and our street gets insane amounts of snow some from snow making overspray but mostly I think just because we are smack dab in prime snowbelt.
I'm just over 120km/day round trip. Mostly 401 but local snow covered highways and city streets that are usually not plowed as well.
Kaltire guy told me to get either WRG2's or the Hakkapeliitta R's for the my Jetta. He said the R's are particularly good. The 401 is not always snow covered though so I asked about wear and he said so long as outside temp is low they will outlast X-Ice even on dry pavement. Next he said for my wife's Honda that he would suggest the WR and use them all year round and save money by not buying an extra set of rims. He said the even the WR are superior to X-Ice.
For my car 195/65R15, Which would be better for my situation?? Should I get the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R's or the WR G2's? R's were quoted at $155 and the WR G2's were $125. My street easily has a foot of snow on it and piles at the end of the driveway that easily are higher than the car.
Also, If anyone has a Honda, I found a deal at the Honda dealership! Nokians on steel rims, installed balanced for $899. My wife drives 80km/day round trip local highways usually snow covered she has never had snow tires and gets stuck often. I've finally convinced her to get a set of snows.
My apologies for the length.
I thought I was decided on X-Ice tires but I've read that the Nokians are superior. I'm looking for some confirmation from the tire gods. We live directly at the foot of Boler Mountain just outside of London and our street gets insane amounts of snow some from snow making overspray but mostly I think just because we are smack dab in prime snowbelt.
I'm just over 120km/day round trip. Mostly 401 but local snow covered highways and city streets that are usually not plowed as well.
Kaltire guy told me to get either WRG2's or the Hakkapeliitta R's for the my Jetta. He said the R's are particularly good. The 401 is not always snow covered though so I asked about wear and he said so long as outside temp is low they will outlast X-Ice even on dry pavement. Next he said for my wife's Honda that he would suggest the WR and use them all year round and save money by not buying an extra set of rims. He said the even the WR are superior to X-Ice.
For my car 195/65R15, Which would be better for my situation?? Should I get the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R's or the WR G2's? R's were quoted at $155 and the WR G2's were $125. My street easily has a foot of snow on it and piles at the end of the driveway that easily are higher than the car.
Also, If anyone has a Honda, I found a deal at the Honda dealership! Nokians on steel rims, installed balanced for $899. My wife drives 80km/day round trip local highways usually snow covered she has never had snow tires and gets stuck often. I've finally convinced her to get a set of snows.
My apologies for the length.
yatzee
Top Post Dawg
I ran the RSI's (which is the tire before the R) though a record winter last year, and adored them. Best tire I've ever had.
That being said, I had a chance to sell them and buy the R's - I email Nokian directly and they're saying that the tread life should be excellent on the R's as long as your wheel alignment is good and you don't run them into the summer.
That being said, I had a chance to sell them and buy the R's - I email Nokian directly and they're saying that the tread life should be excellent on the R's as long as your wheel alignment is good and you don't run them into the summer.
Ookpic
Veteran Member
Thanks for the comment!
I'm doing more reading and research and I found an article at TireRack. they recommend the Micheline over the Nokian Hakka Rsi. However the KalTire guy as well as Honda dealership both stated the Nokian are superior for traction and wear. So now I'm back to undecided whether to go with the Hakka R's, the WR G2's or the X-ICE Xi2. The R's and X-Ice are both the same price. The WR G2's are $25/tire cheaper.
Thanks for any input, I'm deciding this weekend and getting 8 new tires next week.
I'm doing more reading and research and I found an article at TireRack. they recommend the Micheline over the Nokian Hakka Rsi. However the KalTire guy as well as Honda dealership both stated the Nokian are superior for traction and wear. So now I'm back to undecided whether to go with the Hakka R's, the WR G2's or the X-ICE Xi2. The R's and X-Ice are both the same price. The WR G2's are $25/tire cheaper.
Thanks for any input, I'm deciding this weekend and getting 8 new tires next week.
streeker02
Veteran Member
Honestly, you can't go wrong with either choice...both are an excellent tire. Personal preference and budget, yknow....
Slave2school
Top Post Dawg
Very happy witht he WR G2's so far on my focus wagon, but not sure about eh snow since we havn't had any. They are great on gravel and dry pavement. Grippy, quiet, smooth rolling etc...probably the best all around tire I've tried...just no snow experience.
mo_focus
Veteran Member
hehe, i guess that should of said wife'sSlave2school said:Mo Focus...."05 Freestyle LTD Black- now wives
How many wives do you have?
mo_focus
Veteran Member
I decided to get the X-ice II instead of Nokian's. I drive a lot as well. And i was told by couple of places that X-ice is a bit easier to find replacement incase if i end up destorying one of the tires. Considering i do about 5000kms a month i decided to go with the X-ice. I've had X-ice before and they were amazing on the snow/slush of 401. X-ice II is supposed to be a bit quiter from the previous X-ice as well. Will do a full report once we get some snow.
Ookpic
Veteran Member
@mo_focus
Thanks much! I'm again leaning toward the X-ICE 2 for me and the Nokian for my wife. I'm a little nervous that the Hakka R's will wear too quickly with all my driving on the 401 which is generally fairly clean in the winter with only the occasional bad days. I want superior traction in snow especially but also a tire that doesn't mind driving on slushy to wet roads. One thing that really impressed me at Kaltire was the warranty, free lifetime rotations, free lifetime flat repair, and pro-rated tire warranty.
edit: I can get either tire easily. We have 2 KalTire stores in London and obviously lots of Michelin dealers.
Thanks much! I'm again leaning toward the X-ICE 2 for me and the Nokian for my wife. I'm a little nervous that the Hakka R's will wear too quickly with all my driving on the 401 which is generally fairly clean in the winter with only the occasional bad days. I want superior traction in snow especially but also a tire that doesn't mind driving on slushy to wet roads. One thing that really impressed me at Kaltire was the warranty, free lifetime rotations, free lifetime flat repair, and pro-rated tire warranty.
edit: I can get either tire easily. We have 2 KalTire stores in London and obviously lots of Michelin dealers.
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johnnloki
Veteran Member
Yeah, that's pretty well where I'm sitting at the moment, too. Do the WRG2s sacrifice a lot of the deeper snow performance? We know they wear better... but really, how bad generally are the roads around here? 98% of my commute (all 17 kms of it) are roads that get plowed early and often, but I live on a small "lane"/side street with 3 courts coming off it- maybe a hundred houses altogether, and last winter, there were snowfalls where we didn't get plowed until more than 24 hours after a fall, and I got stuck on my streetOokpic said:
in spite of lifting the car by about an inch and a half with spacers... ... ... such a tough decision- Out and out snow performance vs wear resistance.... .... .... Then again, maybe it won't snow like a mofo this year.... then again, maybe it'll be worse.... argh! WTH do I do?
Beacher
Well-known member
LoL - I hear you - I've been struggling with the same issue of maximizing (i.e. what is the PERFECT winter tire considering cost/snow grip/noise/wear rate/cost?johnnloki said:.. ... ... such a tough decision- Out and out snow performance vs wear resistance....
). So - the worst case scenarios we're facing:
Scenario one - you pick the Performance Snow tire - it doesn't snow, EVER, and in three to four seasons it's time to go shopping again because they wore faster than the G2s. Oh well.
or
Scenario two - you pick up the wear resistant snow tire but it snows ceaselessly for 4 consecutive winters, you never really notice any issue except one time you get so snowed in that it wouldn't have mattered what snow tire you had.
I think someone else already wrote this but, in the end I think you can't really go far wrong with either option. Maybe it's time to flip a coin
. If you're not on all-seasons you're 100% ahead of most people.
Ookpic
Veteran Member
I think you and the streeker are correct in the above comment. It may boil down to exactly that. If I get 4 seasons out of any snow tire I'll be more that happy! Last set only made it 2. Cheap no-name brand. They were spectacular in snow but man did they wear fast.Beacher said:[snip]I think someone else already wrote this but, in the end I think you can't really go far wrong with either option. Maybe it's time to flip a coin
tdipaddler
Well-known member
Winter Tires on 09 JSW TDi with TPMS
Here's a "Newbie" question.
I have an 09 Comfortline JSW which I'm fairly sure has the Tire Pressure Monitoring System installed. I'd like to put winter rims and tires on the car but will using After Market Sensors create potential Warranty issues with VW? This of course, assumes that I'm able to find the sensors in Ontario.
Tire Rack in the US is quoting sensors for US$260 installed on steelies and Steelies plus Pirrellis for $646. This would make the total bill US$906 plus landing costs.
My suspicion is that if I go to a VW dealer I'd face an even bigger bill. The owners manual predictably says that only VW dealers can touch the tires and wheels.
A set of Goodyear Nordics from Canadian Tire on my OEM wheels comes in at $448 plus taxes, Hancook's are a little cheaper at $412 plus taxes and General Altimax a bit more at $536.
My current feelings are that I can get a bunch of installations done for the cost of the Steelies plus the Sensors so my lowest cost option is to stick with the OEM wheels.
To add to my confusion, this is the first time I've been faced with the Winter Tire issue having driven SUV's with Mud and Snows for the past 16 years.
Advice and opinions would be appreciated.
Incidentally for what it's worth, Consumer Reports rates the Michelin X-ice #1, Goodyear Ultragrip #2 and the Nokians #3 (US test and data).
_________________________________________________
TDiPaddler
09 Reflex Silver JSW, Comfortline w/DSG
Here's a "Newbie" question.
I have an 09 Comfortline JSW which I'm fairly sure has the Tire Pressure Monitoring System installed. I'd like to put winter rims and tires on the car but will using After Market Sensors create potential Warranty issues with VW? This of course, assumes that I'm able to find the sensors in Ontario.
Tire Rack in the US is quoting sensors for US$260 installed on steelies and Steelies plus Pirrellis for $646. This would make the total bill US$906 plus landing costs.
My suspicion is that if I go to a VW dealer I'd face an even bigger bill. The owners manual predictably says that only VW dealers can touch the tires and wheels.
A set of Goodyear Nordics from Canadian Tire on my OEM wheels comes in at $448 plus taxes, Hancook's are a little cheaper at $412 plus taxes and General Altimax a bit more at $536.
My current feelings are that I can get a bunch of installations done for the cost of the Steelies plus the Sensors so my lowest cost option is to stick with the OEM wheels.
To add to my confusion, this is the first time I've been faced with the Winter Tire issue having driven SUV's with Mud and Snows for the past 16 years.
Advice and opinions would be appreciated.
Incidentally for what it's worth, Consumer Reports rates the Michelin X-ice #1, Goodyear Ultragrip #2 and the Nokians #3 (US test and data).
_________________________________________________
TDiPaddler
09 Reflex Silver JSW, Comfortline w/DSG
Ookpic
Veteran Member
@ tdipaddler
The Tirerack price seems really good to me including sensors. A friend of mine has a GMC Denali with sensors. He runs winter tires on his OEM rims but already has scratches on the rims from changing the tires. Worse yet last winter, the tire changing people broke the sensor while removing the tire! He was quoted over a $100/ea for the sensors.
Another thing to consider... If you get a second set of wheels for winter with a second set of sensors, do you have to take the car to VW everytime you swap the wheels to program the car for the different sensors?
Also just for comparison, I'm getting a set of steelies with tires for wifey with NO sensors for $899. You should give the Steelership a call maybe they have a deal on for winter?
The Tirerack price seems really good to me including sensors. A friend of mine has a GMC Denali with sensors. He runs winter tires on his OEM rims but already has scratches on the rims from changing the tires. Worse yet last winter, the tire changing people broke the sensor while removing the tire! He was quoted over a $100/ea for the sensors.
Another thing to consider... If you get a second set of wheels for winter with a second set of sensors, do you have to take the car to VW everytime you swap the wheels to program the car for the different sensors?
Also just for comparison, I'm getting a set of steelies with tires for wifey with NO sensors for $899. You should give the Steelership a call maybe they have a deal on for winter?
tdipaddler
Well-known member
Ookpic
Thanks for the input. New technology is wonderful, until you have to pay for it.
According to Tire Rack their 315mhz sensors will be "acquired" by following the VW owners manual instructions for new sensors i.e. run for 10 min @ over 20 km/hr.
I must admit that I hadn't thought about the potential damage to the OEM wheels and/or sensors by the cowboys at the tire shop. Pickering VW will be getting a call in the AM.
Thanks
Thanks for the input. New technology is wonderful, until you have to pay for it.
According to Tire Rack their 315mhz sensors will be "acquired" by following the VW owners manual instructions for new sensors i.e. run for 10 min @ over 20 km/hr.
I must admit that I hadn't thought about the potential damage to the OEM wheels and/or sensors by the cowboys at the tire shop. Pickering VW will be getting a call in the AM.
Thanks
Ookpic
Veteran Member
yeah I'm sure we've all seen the process of removing and installing tires on a rim. It involves prying a tire bead against the rim and stretching it all the way around the rim. The very act is hard on the tire and rim and unless you have a really good tire guy, there is always potential for damage.
D390825
Member
Had great luck with Toyo's . . . .
My favorite winter tire is the Toyo GO-2 Observe; my wife's car's had them for years, never a problem. Last year while the BMW X5 across the street got stuck, along with a Pontiac with Snow's, my wife in her Accord drove out of our driveway, STOPPED on the street and then slowly drove around all the cars/suv's stuck on our street (which hadn't been plowed) . . . it was quite a sight to see. I've had them on an Integra I owned years ago and never had an issue. They are great in deep snow and good on ice and wear quite well. They are a little noisy, but I'm willing to live with that.
My Jetta was purchased used and came with Pirelli snow's, which I know don’t work as well as the Toyo's. Last year I was running an A4 with Pirelli winters and they didn't offer the same level of traction or confidence in the snow, but were great in the dry and weren't as loud.
We purchased New Toyo’s for my Wife’s new car this year – 205/60/16 got them with RIM’s installed and balanced, taxes in for $760 from Superior Tire in Thornhill.
My favorite winter tire is the Toyo GO-2 Observe; my wife's car's had them for years, never a problem. Last year while the BMW X5 across the street got stuck, along with a Pontiac with Snow's, my wife in her Accord drove out of our driveway, STOPPED on the street and then slowly drove around all the cars/suv's stuck on our street (which hadn't been plowed) . . . it was quite a sight to see. I've had them on an Integra I owned years ago and never had an issue. They are great in deep snow and good on ice and wear quite well. They are a little noisy, but I'm willing to live with that.
My Jetta was purchased used and came with Pirelli snow's, which I know don’t work as well as the Toyo's. Last year I was running an A4 with Pirelli winters and they didn't offer the same level of traction or confidence in the snow, but were great in the dry and weren't as loud.
We purchased New Toyo’s for my Wife’s new car this year – 205/60/16 got them with RIM’s installed and balanced, taxes in for $760 from Superior Tire in Thornhill.
CmdrData
Veteran Member
That's not a bad price for 4 16" tires and rims installed.
Slave2school
Top Post Dawg
The more I drive the WR G2 in the wet/dry the more I like the way they drive. Very responsive in the turns, loads of wet grip (I can't spin up through second gear anymore in the focus). I'm running them at 38psi now and that cured my previous mention of a bit mushy in the turns.
I'm fairly sure that these tires will last as long as I need (usually my tires start cracking before they are near the wear bars). One thing I've noticed, even on a warm 14c day running at high speeds I can stop and the tires aren't even warm to the touch. My old all seasons that I took off were quite warm under the same conditions. This would lead me to believe that the wear rate will be pretty good and the low rolling resistance claims are indeed true. Another thing I've noticed, not even trying I've travelled more than I ever have traveled before on half a tank only 10km's, but I'll be sure to keep track of this development. 10km's at half a tank on this car would be ~5% further on the same amount of fuel.
Dad has the R's on his Golf and he said it looks like he's inline to get at least another 100km's out of this tank over his super loud sticky 16" summer tires... Pretty impressive for snow tires. He vents every tank and fills up at the same pump all the time for those that wonder.
I'm fairly sure that these tires will last as long as I need (usually my tires start cracking before they are near the wear bars). One thing I've noticed, even on a warm 14c day running at high speeds I can stop and the tires aren't even warm to the touch. My old all seasons that I took off were quite warm under the same conditions. This would lead me to believe that the wear rate will be pretty good and the low rolling resistance claims are indeed true. Another thing I've noticed, not even trying I've travelled more than I ever have traveled before on half a tank
only 10km's, but I'll be sure to keep track of this development. 10km's at half a tank on this car would be ~5% further on the same amount of fuel.Dad has the R's on his Golf and he said it looks like he's inline to get at least another 100km's out of this tank over his super loud sticky 16" summer tires...
Pretty impressive for snow tires. He vents every tank and fills up at the same pump all the time for those that wonder.