Author Topic: Gislaved v.s. Michelin X-Ice winter tires (Read 44821 times)

mboles22 · « **on:** November 15, 2005, 02:19:28 pm »

Hi everyone,

I was all set to purchase Michelin X-Ice winter tires for my Acura until the last phone call I made this morning. I spoke with a very reputable tire shop in the Toronto area, where I live, that expressed a strong poisitive opinion for the Gislaved winter tire. They said the X-Ice doesn't come close to performing or handling as well as the Gislaved in winter conditions.

Your thoughts?

?

Craig · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2005, 05:39:23 pm »

I have the Gislaveds. I like them a lot. I haven't driven the X-Ice to compare.

mark · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2005, 12:27:35 pm »

The Toronto Star published a comparo of new winter tires this past weekend in their wheels section. The Gislaved Nordfrost 3 was mentioned.

Linky:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1131649384723&call_pageid=968867497088&col=969048871196

By the way, winter conditions is very vague terminology. You'll find that various tires are designed to perform better or snow or slush & ice. Not necessarily handling both equally well.

msian · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2005, 02:55:10 pm »

Quote from: mark on November 16, 2005, 12:27:35 pm

Linky:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1131649384723&call_pageid=968867497088&col=969048871196

Interesting thing about the Nokian RSI mentioned in the article...

"Another is a "driving safety indicator." This is a small dot on the sidewall that changes colour with temperature. It reveals, in a general sense, just how much traction is available; it's worth glancing at as you walk up to the car."

Funny...but AFAIK the "driving safety indicator" is just the tread depth imprinted in the centre of the tire...

tpl · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2005, 06:06:45 pm »

The Nolian web site is confusing about that. It shows the tread depth on the centre rib and also shows the dot that changes colour... no I dunno about you, but when I go out at 06:55 in the dark at -20 I am not going to search around for a torch to look at a dot on the tire

Guy · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2005, 07:27:24 pm »

I've got Gislaved Nordfrost 3 on my Volvo S-60 and Hyundai Tucson and they perform great on both cars. Great traction on ice, snow and slush.

morty · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2005, 12:06:00 am »

Sounds like they dont sell many Michelin X-Ice. From all accounts the Michelin has been getting some really good reviews. I would guess the reputable dealer is making more money on the Gislaved, so it must be a better tire.

articsteve · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2005, 10:43:53 am »

The Gislaved Nord Frost 3 directional snow is a pretty great all round snow so it is hard to switch. I gave up on Michelin Tires a decade ago. At one time they were way ahead of most brands but not any more.

I bought 4 Frost 3s a month ago for $97.50 a piece; 195/65/15 They seem to wear really well on dry high speed pavment in moderate temps like 32 to 40F.

articsteve · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2005, 10:48:30 am »

Quote from: mark on November 16, 2005, 12:27:35 pm

The Toronto Star published a comparo of new winter tires this past weekend in their wheels section. The Gislaved Nordfrost 3 was mentioned.

Linky:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1131649384723&call_pageid=968867497088&col=969048871196

By the way, winter conditions is very vague terminology. You'll find that various tires are designed to perform better or snow or slush & ice. Not necessarily handling both equally well.

Thats a good article.

mboles22 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2005, 10:19:48 pm »

Do you guys know what the difference is between the Gislaved Nordfrost 3 and the Gislaved Softfrost 2 which was mentioned in the consumer reports article (link below)? Are they similar?

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/snow-tires/fullstory.html#intro

Guy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2005, 11:05:04 pm »

Softfrost 2??? Never heard about that tire.

siwash · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2005, 10:04:53 pm »

where the heck can you buy a "gislaved" tire?! (boy that's a sh*tty name for a product - must be scandinavian?!)

thanks!

Guy · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2005, 10:34:43 pm »

Dealers who carry Continental's usually carry the Gislaved.

morty · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:04:57 am »

Arcticsteve...If you gave up on them a decade ago...how do you know what their current products are like? I think you would be surprised at how much their new generation of winters has been improved.

Craig · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:22:37 am »

IMO, they couldn't get any worse and still be called "winter tires". The old Arctic Alpin was only OK on ice compared to others, but it was embarrassing on snow. I know other skiers who also felt cheated by that tire. Sticks with you. Call it "Barrie Syndrome".

The Gislaved is a fantastic winter tire in comparison. At least as good on ice, and actually useful on snow. You carry Continental, Morty, so I'm surprised you don't carry Gislaved.

To be fair, I hear a lot of good things about the X-Ice. I'm sure you're selling a ton of them.

articsteve · « **Reply #15 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:25:26 am »

I gave up buying them personally Morty, but I drive a lot of cars and I was in a Camry with new Michelin Alpins (I believe they are called) and they stunk on drifting and packed highway snow.

At one point, I believe starting in the mid 70's for big domestic cars they were the only game in town and that lasted for some time. By the early 90s they were run of the mill. However people still think they are great based on reputation because they did devolpe such a strong brand name.

I still think they are way down the list for snows.

articsteve · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:28:46 am »

I see Chansen's post just landed prior to mine and I agree that for the money or not the Nord Frost 3 is an animal in snow but still wears well on dry highway useage which is what most of my driving is. So as long as they are around I'm out of any other snow.

mboles22 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 23, 2005, 10:39:17 am »

I arrived at Steelcase around 5pm yesterday. The showroom was crowded and there was a line-up 8 people deep at the counter. I took my place at the end of the line to begin my arduous wait. Thankfully it didn’t take long before I was speaking with the guy at the counter but his news wasn’t what I wanted to hear,

“Come back tomorrow. It’s too late in the day and we are not taking any more cars.”

It was late in the day, 5pm or I guess 5:15pm since I stood in line….. but to me the answer no is just the starting point of negotiations. So I smiled and acknowledged the hard work they have put in this week and explained that I had driven very far. This was met by a lengthy prose describing how others from further parts of the GTA had previously been turned away.

He’s playing hard ball I thought; time to take out the big guns. There is only one thing I can offer to a group of guys. The only thing that could possibly sway their decision……..I took a deep breath, brushed the hair from my face, dabbed fresh lipstick on and smiled big and made the offer they couldn’t refuse…”I’ll buy Tim Horton’s for everyone?”

On any normal day the offer of a hot timmy’s coffee and fresh apple fritter would convert the Pope to Anglican, but these guys weren’t budging. Apparently they wanted something else, something that every hot blooded male Canadian wanted after a long hard days work …..a plate full of food and a beer.

Luckily all it took were a few more smiles and a sultry glance and they consented. I handed over my keys and in 3 short hours my brand new Gislaved NorFrost III were on my car.

Michelle

p.s The Steelcase guys, Dave, Jim, Steve, are the best. It has been a tough week for them and their crew…and from what they tell me the craziness is going to last for another 6 weeks. Hats off to them for maintaining a friendly and professional attitude after working 12-14 hours straight and providing excellent service.

canadianexpress · « **Reply #18 on:** November 23, 2005, 12:57:18 pm »

just wondering what you paid at steelcase and for what size?

Craig · « **Reply #19 on:** November 23, 2005, 01:07:41 pm »

I tried giving them a sultry glance also. One of them punched me.

I ask you, is that customer service?

Seriously, I'm trying to get a set of Nokians on steelies for the mother-in-law's Rav4. Last week, they said the wheels should take three days. I've been trying to confirm the availability of steelies by phone five times every day, only to get a busy signal each time. Crazy.