Author Topic: Help! Michelin X Ice2 vs Bridgestone WS70 (Read 2082 times)

roundupready · « **on:** September 24, 2011, 02:29:34 pm »

I'm trying to decide which to get for this winter.

I thought I'd made up my mind what to get but after reading the reviews on 1010 Tires, it seems there are a lot of comments like "unsafe", "horrible" on both tires.

Now I'm wavering.

I am hoping someone can provide some rational views/suggestions than such dramatic viewpoints.

Thank you in advance.

Gardiner Westbound · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2011, 02:49:20 pm »

Quote from: roundupready on September 24, 2011, 02:29:34 pm

I'm trying to decide which to get for this winter.

I thought I'd made up my mind what to get but after reading the reviews on 1010 Tires, it seems there are a lot of comments like "unsafe", "horrible" on both tires.

Now I'm wavering.

I am hoping someone can provide some rational views/suggestions than such dramatic viewpoints.

Thank you in advance.

Look at General Altimax Artics, 25-percent off this week at Canadian Tire. Consumer Reports says they're not quite as competent as Michelins, but superior to Blizzaks. They're significantly less costly than either. See the attachments.

I'm happy with my Arctics. I live in the snow belt. Last winter was more severe than most. They performed at least as well as my previous Blizzaks. A big problem with Blizzaks is early wear-out. High cost and short lifespan are a deal breaker for me.

If you go to CTC keep an eye on your car.

Edit

Apparently Arctics don't come in 225/50-17, your size. They are available in 225/45-17 which may be suitable. Your speedometer will read 3.51-percent too fast. At an indicated 103 km/h you will actually be traveling at 100 km/h. I have a similar issue with my car. It's an acceptable trade-off in my view.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2011, 03:01:04 pm »

The 1010 website only has a handful of reviews on the WS-70s, so I wouldn't agree that there are "a lot" of negative comments: basically one guy who says they are the best ever, one guy who says they are the worst ever, one guy who says the dry handling sucks (no

, Sherlock), and a bunch of negative "drive-by" ratings with no comments.

I've never driven on the WS-70s so can't comment on them, but I wouldn't place much stock in the customer reviews on 1010. Maybe check out Consumer Reports or the Tire Rack tests (not the customer reviews).

There were lots of comments about the Michelins, and I'll agree lots were surprisingly negative.

Just thinking out loud here, but I wonder if the Michelins simply don't like certain kinds of snow? I know we had a poster here a winter or two ago who hated the Michelins. IIRC, he lived on the west coast and drove lots in wet, slushy snow.

Maybe the Michelins are great on ice, and even cold, dry snow, but pack up uselessly in the wet, heavy stuff?

Again, I have no idea, just thinking out loud for a reason why customer reviews are all over the map.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2011, 03:07:15 pm »

Quote from: Gardiner Westbound on September 24, 2011, 02:49:20 pm

Look at General Altimax Artics, sale priced this week at Canadian Tire at 25-percent off. Consumer Reports says they're not quite as good as Michelins, but superior to Blizzaks. They're significantly less costly than either.

...

See attachment.

Not quite.

That test you reference is two years old and doesn't include the WS-70.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2011, 09:48:41 pm »

I bought the WS-70's last winter, after the constant snow and freezing rain that we had in S. Alberta that year was making driving with my Optimo 4S all-weathers miserable. Thought they were excellent, night and day difference.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2011, 04:23:21 am »

I was going to get the General Altimax, but changed my mind and got the WS70s from Costco. All in it came to $650 (225/65R16), which was about $150 cheaper than getting the studded Generals by the time they were shipped and mounted.

I had Arctic Alpins on the previous Outback, and thought they were pretty good in most conditions. They had plenty of tread left, but the compound was getting hard and traction suffered. Tread wear shouldn't be an issue for us, because we only put ~10k a year on the car.

From what I've read, the Blizzaks seem to be pretty good. I guess we'll see!

johngenx · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2011, 06:24:48 pm »

TireRack has very good winter tire testing. Michelin and Bridgestone rated very close, slightly different strengths. The WS-70 was rated very strongly for winter (ice and snow) traction and suffered with respect to dry handling.

Personally, ice/snow traction is king for me, and I'm willing to sacrifice for it, so the WS-70 is my pick. All four in their comparison finished VERY close, just pick the one that suits your needs...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=135

roundupready · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2011, 02:07:25 pm »

Thanks for everyone's help. I'm going to discount those extreme viepoints.

I agree with johngenx, I put ice/snow traction above dry road handling for winter tires.

ktm525 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2011, 12:33:12 am »

FWIW I used Conti ExtremeWinterContacts on the G8 last year and they made it manageable in a tough winter. Rec.

roundupready · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2011, 04:20:44 pm »

Finally picked up and installed the Blizzak WS70s.

These tires are quiet for snow tires! Dry road handling isn't as bad as I expected (seems to have less tread squirms than the Blizzaks we had many years ago). The ride is cushy too.

So far so good.

Will see how they handle in the snow/ice.

Snowman · « **Reply #10 on:** November 25, 2011, 07:44:51 pm »

Quote from: roundupready on November 21, 2011, 04:20:44 pm

Finally picked up and installed the Blizzak WS70s.

These tires are quiet for snow tires! Dry road handling isn't as bad as I expected (seems to have less tread squirms than the Blizzaks we had many years ago). The ride is cushy too.

So far so good.

Will see how they handle in the snow/ice.

just finished driving around the Venza with +15 degree Gold Coast weather on the newly mounted Blizzak WS70s and was surprised how well they handled on the dry roads. if that is the weak spot for them winter will be fine on snow and ice.

johngenx · « **Reply #11 on:** November 25, 2011, 07:52:27 pm »

We swapped the WS-70 onto the Corolla, pitching the WS-60. Incremental gains, to be sure, but it is better in all regards. Rides a bit better, quieter, and handles just as well on dry roads. We've had some horrible snow and ice conditions too, and the WS-70 is simply amazing.

airbalancer · « **Reply #12 on:** November 25, 2011, 08:19:06 pm »

Quote from: Snowman on November 25, 2011, 07:44:51 pm

Quote from: roundupready on November 21, 2011, 04:20:44 pm
Finally picked up and installed the Blizzak WS70s.

These tires are quiet for snow tires! Dry road handling isn't as bad as I expected (seems to have less tread squirms than the Blizzaks we had many years ago). The ride is cushy too.

So far so good.

Will see how they handle in the snow/ice.

just finished driving around the Venza with +15 degree Gold Coast weather on the newly mounted Blizzak WS70s and was surprised how well they handled on the dry roads. if that is the weak spot for them winter will be fine on snow and ice.

there is no long last snow on the Gold Coast

SaskSpecV · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2011, 11:26:56 am »

Quote from: johngenx on November 25, 2011, 07:52:27 pm

We swapped the WS-70 onto the Corolla, pitching the WS-60. Incremental gains, to be sure, but it is better in all regards. Rides a bit better, quieter, and handles just as well on dry roads. We've had some horrible snow and ice conditions too, and the WS-70 is simply amazing.

Agreed, I find the WS-70 to be a much better winter tire than the WS-60...but they are mounted on different vehicles, so it is hard to compare directly. I wasn't hugely impressed with the WS-60. They were "fine", but I didn't find the same level of ice traction as with the WS-50s I had on the Spec V. The WS-70s appear to have the same level of grip on ice as the WS-50s did...but again, different cars so it is hard to make a direct comparison. Of course, it is supposed to hit +7 here in S'toon today so maybe there won't be much ice and snow left on the streets...but I'm sure it will come back soon!

Snowman · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2011, 03:24:21 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on November 25, 2011, 07:52:27 pm

We swapped the WS-70 onto the Corolla, pitching the WS-60. Incremental gains, to be sure, but it is better in all regards. Rides a bit better, quieter, and handles just as well on dry roads. We've had some horrible snow and ice conditions too, and the WS-70 is simply amazing.

My WS60's had me sideways on the route Mike took me on Yesterday in +13 temps

richink · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:31:08 am »

Just slapped a set of X-Ice i2's (205/55/16) on the Volvo last week, night & day vs. the stealership Gislaved set I had on the car before.

They are quiet, return no difference in fuel economy from the summer tires, and phenomenal grip so far. We've had a mix of light snow, slush and ice since Friday.

tortoise · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2011, 10:46:52 am »

Which Gislaved set were you running?

I have the Nordfrost 5's and have been really impressed so far. They are an older design though so I'm not surprised the X-Ice's are better.

safristi · « **Reply #17 on:** December 14, 2011, 10:53:40 am »

Had Michelin X1Xice2's on the Veloster fer a MONTH...great fer BEER RUNS..... in 15C weather.......

richink · « **Reply #18 on:** December 14, 2011, 11:33:58 am »

Quote from: tortoise on December 14, 2011, 10:46:52 am

Which Gislaved set were you running?

I have the Nordfrost 5's and have been really impressed so far. They are an older design though so I'm not surprised the X-Ice's are better.

Yep they were 5's that burned off in less than 4 seasons. I was running on borrowed time throughout most of last year's (albeit thankfully light) winter.

Similar cost, but I can't believe the difference with the Michelin's.

Snowman · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2012, 08:27:54 pm »

Just had a good run with the WS70's on the Venza in the 15cm of fresh snow we got in the last few hours. I was playing around in the local subdivisions while going to pick up my son and was very impressed with the traction, cornering, and braking. I guess my enthusiasm upset a Porsche Cayenne Turbo owner who decided that the move around him required retribution

It did not take long before he ended up losing it and smashed into a curb while I was traveling at relatively normal speeds. I hope them wheels are not expensive