need winter tires soon. im in chicago so it doesnt snow 24/7 though we still get snow. i was looking at the Dunlop Graspics. What do you guys say? i was looking at the blizzacks but they are just to expensive for only the winter. Or should i just go with all season tires on my R. I do highway driving here at there but not all the time. Im really stummped on what tire to go with. I have cheap 15 inch rims for the winter but the freaggin tires............please make some suggestion. Thanks guys.

 

I would definitely suggest dedicated winter tires. As for which ones, you will find that basically any of the popular winter tires will provide very good performance in snow and ice, particularly when compared with summer or even all-season tires.

Another good, relatively inexpensive option you might want to consider is the Hankook iPike W409, which is available for $71 shipped from Discount Tire Direct.


Modified by Padawan at 8:01 PM 1/9/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Padawan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would definitely suggest dedicated winter tires.</TD></TR></TABLE>



Your question is, basically, whether the Blizzak is worth the additional cost over the Graspic. Heck, I don't know; that depends on your priorities and your budget.

A few facts to add:

The Tire Rack tested these tires side by side, using an ice rink. Click here.

The difference in price between the Blizzak WS-50 and the Graspic DS-2 is $15 ($89 vs $74). So the total difference for all four tires is $60. Not huge.

Since you only use winter tires for roughly three months a year (I use mine mid-December to mid-March), you don't put many miles on them. So one set may last you many years. The cost difference, you only pay once.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...one set may last you many years. The cost difference, you only pay once.
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Excellent point.

I also agree that dedicated snow tires make all the difference. You would hate yourself for wrecking your Type-R because you cheaped out on a set of snows.

 

I picked up a set of Graspic from Walmart and I also have a set of new Toyo Garrit Observe or whatever in 195/55/15/

HOnestly, the Toyo handles better, and the Graspic is mushy feeling (which is scary on the highway), but the Graspic actually grips better in snow and ice.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ericlee303 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">HOnestly, the Toyo handles better, and the Graspic is mushy feeling (which is scary on the highway), but the Graspic actually grips better in snow and ice.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I can explain why.

There are two basic kinds of winter tires. Tires that the Tire Rack calls "studless winter tires", like the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 and Michelin X-Ice, offer the best traction on snow and ice. Tires that they call "performance winter tires", like the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 and Michelin Pilot Alpin, are not quite as good on snow and ice but have improved ride and handling at high speeds and in moderate temperatures. The choice between the two often depends on how severe the winter is in your area (as well as on your budget, since the performance winter tires are usually more expensive than the studless winter tires). Here in Chicago, I choose the studless ones for their better traction on snow and ice.

The Dunlop Graspic is a "studless winter tire", whereas the Toyo Observe Garit is a "performance winter tire". So that's the reason for what you found. (Dunlop also makes "performance winter tires" and Toyo also makes "studless winter tires".)

 

I have graspics on my civic, front and rear. they are AWESOME and my car cant be stopped in the snow. complete confidence while driving in the snow allows me to be THAT guy while everyone else slips and slides along

 

This year, for the first time, I purchased actual winter tires rather than all seasons. With great help from nsxtasy, I chose the Graspic DS-2s. For me, price was an issue. Unfortunately since I bought them, mother nature decided to have a mild winter. Only a couple days, including today, did I actually put some cold and snow miles on them. They really do perform very well in their element. The roads were pretty slick tonight, but they held the ground very well. I felt very confident with them.

However, when the temperature is north of 45 degrees, the wet traction is not impressive to say the least. But I'm sure that's the case with most winter tires. You just have to be much more careful when driving during warm spells.

Cliffs: I'm happy with my Graspics under winter driving conditions so far.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have graspics for my ITR, front and rear. they are AWESOME and my car cant be stopped in the snow. complete confidence while driving in the snow allows me to be THAT guy while everyone else slips and slides along </TD></TR></TABLE>

lol...same here. I love it when I'm out running 4x4 in the R

 

I've had a set of Dunlop M3 winter tires for the past 3 seasons. They are getting a little ragged now but they are a great tire for light to moderate snow, rain slush, etc. They handle much better in the dry than the Blizzaks that I previously used. Only downside is lower fuel economy by 1-2 mpg

Regards,
Alan

 

meh... i was tearing up the snow this morning in my Azenis

&lt;--- really needs to put his winter wheels on like yesterday

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my car cant be stopped in the snow</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can't stop your car in the snow?!?




While snow is rare in NC these days, the times it has snowed, the Kumho I'Zen snow tires on my wagon have been everything I needed to get a RWD sled around. Very wallet-comfortable, to.

 

It looks like I'm going to find out just how good the Avon Tech M550 All-Seasons on my CL-S are in the snow, we got almost 6 inches over the last 24 hours. I wasn't planning on enduring a lot of snow with these when I bought them this summer, but plans change.

 

I"m rocking Nokian Hakkapeliitta 195/55/15.. they are decent snow tires.. I had Michelin X-Ice winters before.. The Michelin were alot better

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00R101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've had a set of Dunlop M3 winter tires for the past 3 seasons. They are getting a little ragged now but they are a great tire for light to moderate snow, rain slush, etc. They handle much better in the dry than the Blizzaks that I previously used.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, that is Dunlop's "performance winter tire". As I previously noted, the "performance winter tires" are better in the dry at moderate temperatures, and give better ride comfort. The "studless winter tires" like the Graspic give better traction on snow and ice.

In Pennsylvania, where winter weather occurs but not as often, a performance winter tire might be the better choice. In places that get brutal winters, like Chicago and Buffalo and Minneapolis, a studless winter tire might be the better choice.

 

I don't think they'd be worth the extra money. On my old E30 BMW, I had a set of cheap Hankook snow tires ($50/tire) and they worked great. I got up to the ski resorts with no problems (during a storm).

I've had studded Nokians, Blizzaks and some other snow tire, but I don't think one really out performed the other. The studded Nokians were a little better in snow, but on dry pavement, the clicking gets old real fast.

I vote for going with a cheap set.

 

I've had two sets of Graspics and have had nothing but great experiences with them. Even in fairly heavy snow. I'm using them right now outin Utah and would absolutely buy them again.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Erik95LS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've had two sets of Graspics and have had nothing but great experiences with them. Even in fairly heavy snow. I'm using them right now outin Utah and would absolutely buy them again. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Where are you in Utah? I'm in Salt Lake, and we're supposed to get some snow storms starting tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be big, since I'll be up skiing on Sat and Mon. But it's supposed to get down to the negatives, too...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Where are you in Utah? I'm in Salt Lake, and we're supposed to get some snow storms starting tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be big, since I'll be up skiing on Sat and Mon. But it's supposed to get down to the negatives, too... </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm in the Orem/Provo area. Still trying to find parts and a body shop to fix my civic

 

I'm using some 6, maybe 7 year old Michelin Pilot Alpin's and they're still great (bought used too!).

I too, only use them a few months at BEST out of the year since winters here in Vancouver are quite mild.

I learned my lesson a few years back driving on some snow on the 010s. The curb and the knocked down stop sign contributed to 1 damaged wheel, busted chin spoiler, fugged up front bumper and everything needed paint.

It was DEFINITELY cheaper to pick up a set of CHEAP snowtires than what I had to put up with in damages.

With that said, any "walmart" brand snowtire is better than any summer time. I go for the cheapest snowies now for the climate I live in. Driving slow and cautious helps too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by supra360 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I"m rocking Nokian Hakkapeliitta 195/55/15.. they are decent snow tires.. I had Michelin X-Ice winters before.. The Michelin were alot better

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DUDE!! where did you get those steelies?? Ive been looking for em everywhere and just decided to go with my old crappy rims. Let me know where they are available specially with 5 lugs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by John 07 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

DUDE!! where did you get those steelies?? Ive been looking for em everywhere and just decided to go with my old crappy rims. Let me know where they are available specially with 5 lugs.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can get Accord or CRV steelies in 5x114.3 for cheap.

 

Where can I get these steelies?? any where i can order them or directly buy them?? I was thinking maybe a junk yard but dot have access to one. hmmmm

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by John 07 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Where can I get these steelies?? any where i can order them or directly buy them?? I was thinking maybe a junk yard but dot have access to one. hmmmm</TD></TR></TABLE>

I got brnd new ones from tirerack when I ordered my winter tires. Got the graspics with the steelies mounted, balanced, and delivered for just over $400. Hard deal to beat.

 

i have 14" steelies with 185 toyo observes little skinnies