Author Topic: Nokian Hakka 2's or Toyo Observe Garit HT's for Mercedes? (Read 4130 times)

snoopy · « **on:** November 10, 2004, 10:24:20 pm »

Here's the deal. It's come down to these two tires and I'm getting tired of trying to figure this out on my own, so I need your help. Here's what I know:

1) Hakka 2's are "T" rated
2) Toyo HT's are "H" rated
3) Mercedes "recommends" "H" rated tires.
4) I'll be doing 50% highway/ 50% street driving.
5) I live in Richmond Hill just north of Toronto.
6) Need 205 55R 16 and I have separate rims.
7) I drive a 2003 Mercedes C240.
8) I drive almost 100km/day to work and back.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

morty · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2004, 01:58:38 am »

I think you answered your own question. H would be the way to go.

TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

snoopy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2004, 09:34:44 am »

I think you answered your own question. H would be the way to go.

But why, you can go to a lower speed rated tire and the Hakka 2's are only one speed rating lower, so is the difference between the two that great that you shouldn't use the T rated tire?

RayT · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2004, 10:52:27 am »

For practical purposes, either tire will do you fine. Both are well regarded, both will provide good traction in a wide variety of conditions (dry/wet/snow/ice).

I'm a fan of both tires, so I would let price and the dealer (which dealer is better if they are different) dictate my choice.

morty · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2004, 11:20:00 pm »

The reason Mercedes recommends H-rated winter tires is for stability reasons. The T and Q-rated tires experience too much casing flex and tread squirm to handle the weight and suspension. Especially important for you, since you do a lot of highway driving. At higher speeds (100km/h) the car on Q or T will feel as though it is all over the road. Not unsafe just uncomfortable.

Not saying you can't do...just not recommended.

TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

snoopy · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2004, 04:15:07 pm »

Just to let you know, I bought the Toyo Garit HT's. Once it snows, I'll post a review of them.

snoopy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2004, 12:30:44 pm »

Here's my review. We finally had some snow here in GTA a few days ago and all I can say is that these tires ROCK. ABS never came on during braking, no slippage from a standing start (stop sign) and they felt very stable and capable for my whole trip (RH to Woodbridge to Markham on streets and 407).

I highly recommend them. I should have known they would be good, I had a set of Toyo Observe GO-2 plus on my Acura EL last year and they were very good as well.

I was a bit worried about the rear wheel drive thing on my C, but as I stated above, they were stable and had excellent grip on the snow and on the slush and wet roads.