Topic: Yokohama vs Nokian vs Gislaved vs Michelin

[SMS1977]

Hi I am looking for some imput/recommendations for my first set of winter tires.  I live in Toronto so we get a mix of everything from slush, ice, black ice, rain, freezing rain to big dumps of snow.  The tires will be going on a 2007 VW GTI.  I had the stock Conti all season's on last winter an they absolutely sucked, so I switched to dedicated summers (yoko s.drives) and will be putting on winters on the stock rims (225/45/17)

I have narrowed it down to the following 4 tires:

1.  Yokohama Ice Guard IG20:  $$?

The guy at the store said that he didn't recommend yoko winters because they wear out too fast, but I've read good things about them.

2. Nokian Hakka Rsi: $190 per tire

Everyone seems to swear by them, but I've alsoread that they only really "shine" on complete snow and ice and are below average on wet/dry and sanded or salted roads. I am a little concerned about this because the road will NOT be snow and ice covered most of the time in Toronto.

It seems that $190 per tire is a really good deal for these tires as I usually see tham priced at $250 and up. From what I've read a lot more people would get them if they weren't so expensive.

3.  Gislaved NordFrost 5: $180 per tire

I have heard many of the same things about this tire as the RSi.  The guy at the store was really pushing these.  My concern is that it will have the same benefits and drawbacks as the RSi and potentially more because it is designed to be a studded tire.  I often read that people choose this tire as a cheaper tire to the RSi, but based on the prices I've been quoted it's only $10 per tire cheaper.

4.  Michelin Xi2:  $240 per tire

From what I've read about the original X-Ice's they are pretty good, but some people say that they aren't as good after the first winter.  Also people generally say that they aren't as good as the other tires I am considering.  Given these comments and the fact that they are the most expensive, they are the last on the list right now. 

However, he Xi2 is a brand new tire and is supposed to be better than the original X-Ice.

I am interested in peoples thoughts/recommendations

[tpl]

I am about to buy snows for an identical car... I'll be getting new steelies tho' and going to 16"  ( my summers are on 18")    16 is the standard wheel for the Golf/Rabbit/GTI   MKV chassis

I am considering the   Toyo winter  Garit KX  and also the ContiViking as well as the Gislaved.

fwiw I am quoted  $149 for the Gislaved here in G in 205/55-16    and a few $$ more for the Toyo.

[weebl]

How about the Hankook Icebear W300?  It's a performance winter tire, seems to be raved about by people who have used it, and is quite well priced.

[SMS1977]

TPL:

My GTI came standard with 17s, 18's were optional.  i am a bit surprised about the prices you were quoted because I thought that 16s were usually alot cheaper

[TheMAN]

Hi I am looking for some imput/recommendations for my first set of winter tires.  I live in Toronto so we get a mix of everything from slush, ice, black ice, rain, freezing rain to big dumps of snow.  The tires will be going on a 2007 VW GTI.  I had the stock Conti all season's on last winter an they absolutely sucked, so I switched to dedicated summers (yoko s.drives) and will be putting on winters on the stock rims (225/45/17)

I have narrowed it down to the following 4 tires:

1.  Yokohama Ice Guard IG20:  $$?

The guy at the store said that he didn't recommend yoko winters because they wear out too fast, but I've read good things about them.

2. Nokian Hakka Rsi: $190 per tire

Everyone seems to swear by them, but I've alsoread that they only really "shine" on complete snow and ice and are below average on wet/dry and sanded or salted roads. I am a little concerned about this because the road will NOT be snow and ice covered most of the time in Toronto.

It seems that $190 per tire is a really good deal for these tires as I usually see tham priced at $250 and up. From what I've read a lot more people would get them if they weren't so expensive.

3.  Gislaved NordFrost 5: $180 per tire

I have heard many of the same things about this tire as the RSi.  The guy at the store was really pushing these.  My concern is that it will have the same benefits and drawbacks as the RSi and potentially more because it is designed to be a studded tire.  I often read that people choose this tire as a cheaper tire to the RSi, but based on the prices I've been quoted it's only $10 per tire cheaper.

4.  Michelin Xi2:  $240 per tire

From what I've read about the original X-Ice's they are pretty good, but some people say that they aren't as good after the first winter.  Also people generally say that they aren't as good as the other tires I am considering.  Given these comments and the fact that they are the most expensive, they are the last on the list right now. 

However, he Xi2 is a brand new tire and is supposed to be better than the original X-Ice.

I am interested in peoples thoughts/recommendations

Stay away from the Nokian RSi. The reason they are selling them so cheap is becasue they are discontinued and need to dump old stock. You will want to go with the new and improved model, NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R.

[huota]

Stay away from the Nokian RSi. The reason they are selling them so cheap is becasue they are discontinued and need to dump old stock. You will want to go with the new and improved model, NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R.

Good advice, check out http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=10924176&group=1.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+R for info on the Hakka R, Nokian claim that the wet grip is improved compared to the RSi. That said, I am very happy with RSi's, it is a very good tyre on ice and snow.

[Zombie]

You should get.
Dunlop Winter Sport 3D
I have read nothing but good things about them and I just picked up a set for my WRX.

[SMS1977]

Stay away from the Nokian RSi. The reason they are selling them so cheap is becasue they are discontinued and need to dump old stock. You will want to go with the new and improved model, NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R.
[/quote]

TheMAN:

What does it matter if they are last years models, was there a recall or something? Or is it just that they are last years models?

[SMS1977]

Weebl and Zombie:

Thanks for the suggestions, but I am not looking for a performance winter tire.

[SMS1977]

So I just got new prices on the tires installed and balanced:

Nokian RSi = $170

Gislaved = $175

X-Ice Xi2 = $239

Yokohama IG20 =$219

[TheMAN]

Stay away from the Nokian RSi. The reason they are selling them so cheap is becasue they are discontinued and need to dump old stock. You will want to go with the new and improved model, NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R.

TheMAN:

What does it matter if they are last years models, was there a recall or something? Or is it just that they are last years models?
[/quote]

What happens if you damage one, and need to get another tire?

[Zombie]

Weebl and Zombie:

Thanks for the suggestions, but I am not looking for a performance winter tire.

But you drive a GTI and you live in Toronto. Its not like the snow in Toronto sticks around, it melts in a few days.
Performance winter tire should be the only tires on your list!!

[weebl]

You're welcome.  For a "hardcore" winter tire, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 might be a good choice.  I have the predecessor WS-50 on my Golf, and they are quite good.  People say that these wear quickly, and while I don't exactly put on a lot of kms on my Golf, I haven't found them to be wearing at any particularly high rate.  Yes, they are "squishy" and steering response is slow compared to a stiffer walled winter tire, they are not enough to cause me any concern at all.  Driving for this car is primarily as a commuter car/grocery getter, but it does see several highway road trips.  The WS-60 is apparently a big improvement on this already good tire.  I would say it is a direct competitor to the Michelin X-Ice Xi2, and in my opinion, the better choice of the two.  I've heard too many times people have been disappointed with the Arctic Alpin and X-Ice to be convinced that the X-Ice Xi2 would be any different.

[Zombie]

You're welcome.  For a "hardcore" winter tire, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 might be a good choice.  I have the predecessor WS-50 on my Golf, and they are quite good.  People say that these wear quickly, and while I don't exactly put on a lot of kms on my Golf, I haven't found them to be wearing at any particularly high rate.  Yes, they are "squishy" and steering response is slow compared to a stiffer walled winter tire, they are not enough to cause me any concern at all.  Driving for this car is primarily as a commuter car/grocery getter, but it does see several highway road trips.  The WS-60 is apparently a big improvement on this already good tire.  I would say it is a direct competitor to the Michelin X-Ice Xi2, and in my opinion, the better choice of the two.  I've heard too many times people have been disappointed with the Arctic Alpin and X-Ice to be convinced that the X-Ice Xi2 would be any different.

I second that with the "Blizzak WS-60" I had a set for my civic SIR and they were outstanding but also very squishy. During hard driving steering response was very loose.

[ktm525]

Isn't most of the choices overkill for a metro Toronto tire? Tromping around on a heavy lug Q rated tire for the 1-2 snowfalls that may actually disrupt traffic?

[quadzilla]

Weebl and Zombie:

Thanks for the suggestions, but I am not looking for a performance winter tire.

But you drive a GTI and you live in Toronto. Its not like the snow in Toronto sticks around, it melts in a few days.
Performance winter tire should be the only tires on your list!!

I have to agree with this. I put a softer winter tire on my 6-wgn and was extreemly disappointed with its handling. I wasn't expecting the same level as my summer tires give me but I felt like my car was transformed into a Matrix

The next winter I switched to Dunlop 3D's and my car was back again. The stiffer sidewall made driving enjoyable again and I wasn't getting sea sick anymore from the soft sidewals.

There can be a huge difference in how the tire will respond and if you want very slow turn in, extra soft riding or that feeling your car is 20 years old every time you turn the wheel.....get any tire you want. But if you enjoy driving (and you do have a GTI) spend the money and get something more sportier.

Even thought the 3D's were a sportier tire, I never had any issues in the snow and last year there were record amounts.

[TheMAN]

If you want to go with a performance winter tire then, check out the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance.

Great reviews, new tire, new technology.

http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Goodyear&tiremodel=Ultra+Grip+Performance

[SMS1977]

Quadzilla:

May I asked what tires you had before you had the Dunlop's?  Also how did you find the dunlops last winter after any of th many big snow falls?  Finally, do you live in Toronto or do you live in the GTA (the reason I ask is that I find that its actually easier to drive outside of the city in the winter because they have better snow removal and don't just pile on the salt).

[SMS1977]

Stay away from the Nokian RSi. The reason they are selling them so cheap is becasue they are discontinued and need to dump old stock. You will want to go with the new and improved model, NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R.

TheMAN:

What does it matter if they are last years models, was there a recall or something? Or is it just that they are last years models?

What happens if you damage one, and need to get another tire?
[/quote]

Excellent point I hadn't thought about that

[SkiBunny]

I find that its actually easier to drive outside of the city in the winter because they have better snow removal and don't just pile on the salt.

That's contentious.