[guenter]

I went out and plus sized my new winter tires to 205/60/R16 this year. That extra 0.4" I gain in height should be of some help in NOT plowing snow, as I usually do, early in the morning after freshly fallen snow. The incerases in radius is 3% and the speedo will be 3% too low... shouldn't be a major problem..... Any comments by anyone?

 

[A.N.]

no rubbing?

Anthony

 

[guenter]

no rubbing?

Anthony

I haven't put them on the rims yet, thought i would ask the group just in case I'm doing something silly

 

[amulder2001]

You could also simply go for tyres with a better grip/profile (as studded winter tyres). I have recently mounted new Nokian tyres (non-studded), and was immediately impressed by the low noise and and fantastic grip.
Where I live it has just started freezing overnight, so I cannot tell about true winter performance yet, but these Nokian tyres are consistently tested extremely good. There are also sold in Canada (and USA). In Europe they cost about 2/3 of the MO tyres, but in most independent tests here they outperform any other tyre (incl. Continental, Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop, etc.).
I suspect that if they do well in the Finnish climate, they will also do in Canada.
Here's their North-American site.
Best,

Arjen.

 

[DEVOURS]

Hey guenter...!!! How come you haven't answered the "open tread" down the page?
What are you doing with the 'winter wheels' hole enlarging project?


Wheels first ....and then onto these tires .......

 

[guenter]

Hey guenter...!!! How come you haven't answered the "open tread" down the page?
What are you doing with the 'winter wheels' hole enlarging project?


Wheels first ....and then onto these tires .......

re "That open thread down the page" re tires, Mike is correct, it's a silly idea to enlarge the holes.... but going from a 205/55 to a 205/60 (note both on 16" rims) might not be so silly, there seems to be enought rooms in the wheel wells.

re the Nokian, they look excellent and get top marks in many tests, but they also cost dearly.... to bad that studs aren't allowed in southern Ontario

 

[DEVOURS]

There were a lot of steps to go through to guarantee that the old 190 mags would be safe. It probably was a silly project...but it was "your project".

Going up a size from the OE tire recommendation is probably a silly idea also. Why put the speedo off for 0.4" height gain. You will rarely get to plow through that kind of snow in southern ON anyway.........
If the storm is that bad,...just put another log on the fire and have another sip of wine.........and stay put.........

 

[nest18]

You could also simply go for tyres with a better grip/profile (as studded winter tyres). I have recently mounted new Nokian tyres (non-studded), and was immediately impressed by the low noise and and fantastic grip.
Where I live it has just started freezing overnight, so I cannot tell about true winter performance yet, but these Nokian tyres are consistently tested extremely good. There are also sold in Canada (and USA). In Europe they cost about 2/3 of the MO tyres, but in most independent tests here they outperform any other tyre (incl. Continental, Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop, etc.).
I suspect that if they do well in the Finnish climate, they will also do in Canada.
Here's their North-American site.
Best,

Arjen.

Arjen,

Nokian are REALLY expensive over here in Canada. I had to get new rubbers for my B200 and this is what I went for since I hated the Pirelli I had on for the last 5 winters. I'll install them this Saturday, I'll be able to comment better on the grip when we get snow ... They are highly regard in local reviews papers (Lapresse and protegez-vous).

I'll keep you guys posted

D

 

[gole]

I m also in buying winter tires... I get another set of alloy wheels in 205/55/16 and now have doubt between:
Conti TS-850, GY UG8 and Michelin Alpin A4...

Previous I had Alpin A2 and I was very satisfied.

Opinions?

 

[John_Doe]

My choice would be TS 850. Last year our TS 830P were great in all conditions and there were no problem with them on snow.
And according to the latest tire reviews the new TS 850 is even better than TS 830P so you can't miss.:thumbsup:

Till now I had a good experience with Dunlop and Continental winter tires but you won't go wrong if you buy Michelin A4 either. The only reason we avoid Michelin tires is because they seem to last longer and our mileage per year isn't high. We never had tires older than 5 years on our car and I don't believe we would be able to wear out the Michelins in just 4 winters.

 

[Mike Tee]

My V rated Alpin PA2s are fantastic, and will probably last over 80K km, despite being good in snow.

 

[amulder2001]

Arjen,

Nokian are REALLY expensive over here in Canada. I had to get new rubbers for my B200 and this is what I went for since I hated the Pirelli I had on for the last 5 winters. I'll install them this Saturday, I'll be able to comment better on the grip when we get snow ... They are highly regard in local reviews papers (Lapresse and protegez-vous).

I'll keep you guys posted

D

Funny, because here in Europe they are about 2/3 of the pseudo-premium brands (whereas in almost any test they beat the competition). Probably because they are only produced in Finland, and the others may have factories in the NAFTA area (and so avoiding import duties).

Arjen.

 

[nest18]

Funny, because here in Europe they are about 2/3 of the pseudo-premium brands (whereas in almost any test they beat the competition). Probably because they are only produced in Finland, and the others may have factories in the NAFTA area (and so avoiding import duties).

Arjen.

Arjen,

I got the tires installed last Saturday as stated above, all I can say is I felt I was still on summer tire which is great. Quiet, no lightness of the steering like the Pirelli's. I wish I bought alloy instead of steellies ... after 5 winters they are all rusted, unfortunately wheel cap to hide them is not an option as I got all 4 of them stolen 2 times already !

 

[Mike Tee]

The new Fiesta we just bought at a good discount also came with a separate set of steelies and winter tires - which in this case are BF Goodrich Winter Slalom, no doubt they were cheap but it'll be interesting to see how they are.

 

[DEVOURS]

We always have very severe winters in our neck of the woods with sleet and snow on a regular basis.

The recommended tires up here are Yokohama IG20's or Toyo G02's. Great in the snow and ice.

 

[nest18]

For those who can read french !

Pneus d'hiver 2013: nos choix | Jean-François Guay, collaboration spéciale | Conseils

Pneus d'hiver 2013 | Protégez-Vous.ca

 

[Mike Tee]

That free set I got with the Ford are perfect for out here then, la gomme dure est ce que je veux.

 

[amulder2001]

Arjen,

I got the tires installed last Saturday as stated above, all I can say is I felt I was still on summer tire which is great. Quiet, no lightness of the steering like the Pirelli's. I wish I bought alloy instead of steellies ... after 5 winters they are all rusted, unfortunately wheel cap to hide them is not an option as I got all 4 of them stolen 2 times already !

I couldn't agree more! Quiet, and so far a dramatically good grip. Love them so much already, that I'm even considering to try out the Nokian summer tyres by the time my noisy Continentals are worn.

Please feedback by the time you have snow; I will do the same, though in the Netherlands "winter" is a different concept compared to what you guys have to suffer (we live in a sea climate, implying that usually we don't have more than 3-4 weeks of "serious" snow and ice on the roads).

Arjen.

 

[amulder2001]

For those who can read french !

Pneus d'hiver 2013: nos choix | Jean-François Guay, collaboration spéciale | Conseils

Pneus d'hiver 2013 | Protégez-Vous.ca

...and have access because the last site is only open to subscribers.
The first one shows similar test results as the ones we observe here in (continental) Europe. Nokian beats the competition.
In the upper link the "serious" tyres (Hakkapeliitta model) have been tested, but these are a bit over the top for the climate conditions in the NL. I thus purchased the WR D3 (= non-studded).
Best,

Arjen.

 

[DEVOURS]

...I wish I bought alloy instead of steellies ... after 5 winters they are all rusted, unfortunately wheel cap to hide them is not an option as I got all 4 of them stolen 2 times already !

After the past 7 winters my MB steelies also needed some TLC as they were also starting to lightly rust in many places. The OE black painted wheels should have had a better quality paint for the $$$ that they cost. We'll see how they hold up after winter #8,..and the repaint that I applied to them...

Daniel, I see a lot of old Chevy's up here running around with nice MB hub caps.......What should I do..???....:surrender: