snow tire rec.

[mk1mark at gmail.com (Mark F.)]

On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 09:30:20 -0800 (PST), Dan Smith <sad_rocc@yahoo.com> wrote:
> We finally got the Dunolp Graspic DS-2 onto Lacy's 00 Jetta and man do they kick ass! Granted, we had been driving around on tires with zero tread for awhile, so we're not used to what decent tires feel like. We haven't gotten a big snow yet, but in the snowy/icy spots on the road and in snow packed driveways these tires dominate. They're extremely grippy on even dry pavement and a relatively quiet. The ride is comfortable and because they are a size narrower than stock, they make turning a breeze. The best part is they were only $50 each from tirerack! A quick search will reveal that these are the tires of choice for SCCA ice racers who are not allowed studs, so you know they do as well on ice as Dunlop claims they do. If you need tires and have been putting it off, go check them out!



>From my research the Graspic is a pile of poo...  Crappy dry handling,
and not even that good of a winter tire...

I visited Frank and Dan Sprongl's shop (multiple Canadian rally
champs) last week and he highly recommended the Yokohama IceGuard 10. 
It's got full depth sipes, and is a very soft compound.  Dry handling
isn't supposed to be that great either, but as with any dedicated
winter tire dry handling is compromised...

I'm going to be buying Nokian WR tires for my Audi.  They're an "all
weather" tire - NOT all season, as they're rated for severe winter
duty (have the snowflake symbol)...  As I do a lot of highway driving
(in warmer climates), I needed a tire that wouldn't degrade too
quickly, and is half decently "sporty" in the dry.  Plus with quattro,
I can get away with slightly less snow grip than an all-out winter
tire and still make it though...  We get a decent amount of snow where
I live (Niagara Falls area), but not as much as most of Canada, so a
hardcore winter tire is a bit overkill on an awd vehicle here...

The Michelin X-ice looks to be a decent tire, but the sipes only run a
few mm into the tread, so once the sipes are gone the tire will
suck...  Same goes for the Cambodian Tire Nordic Icetrac, or any of
the "budget" winter tires...

I used Michelin Arctic Alpin (replaced by the X-ice) tires last year,
and they were a good compromise tire - not a real deep snow tire, but
great on ice, and still had all-season-like dry handling...  The
compound is a bit hard for my liking though...

Nokian Hakka's are probably the best serious snow tire (bought a set
for my Mom this year), but they're a bit pricey...

Anyone else have some input?

Mark.
75
80 S
81 Caddy
90 Audi Coupe Quattro - 10vt