Topic: Winter tire for AWD SUV - mostly highway

[Gunnerbob]

Back from Costo.  Turned out to be a bit of a waste IMO. Very limited selection.  Prices incl tires, rims, install, taxes, all IN:

-Xi2: $1075
-Blizzak DM-V1: $1045

So this means JoyCity is looking pretty killer.  Altimax Arctic for under $800 out the door, that's a heckuva deal.  The Xi2 and DM-V1 are both $300 more.  That's a significant cost difference, certainly enough to make me take a pass and go with the Alimax Arctics instead.

The BFG Winter Slalom KSI are a hundred more ($885) but are they worth it?  Can't seem to find too much on them.  The Altimax might be the ones to beat.

[Gardiner Westbound]

So this means JoyCity is looking pretty killer.  Altimax Arctic for under $800 out the door, that's a heckuva deal.  The Xi2 and DM-V1 are both $300 more.  That's a significant cost difference, certainly enough to make me take a pass and go with the Alimax Arctics instead.

In my experience the Arctics won't disappoint you.

[sailor723]

Altimax regularly rank near the top in reviews. if they are $100's cheaper as well I'd say it's a no brainer

[rrocket]

Altimax regularly rank near the top in reviews. if they are $100's cheaper as well I'd say it's a no brainer

+1

[Minou]

"...I am very interested in the Contis but the best I can find is $1100 at CT. Minou, how much for your Contis if you don't mind me asking (they are exact same size as what I need)??"...


Paid $165. per tire, $778. with all taxes, install and nuts.  16'' steelies were $59.95 at my dealer.  Subtract $65. from that amount for the PCA gas card bundled with the tires.  That was exactly one year ago though so prices may have crept up a bit more since then.

[random006]

Sounds like those Altimax tires are a good deal.

For what it's worth, I have had Yokos on my 2003 Sorento for the last 4 seasons and will again for at least one more.  They perform well and I found them reasonably priced at the time.

My Yokos are of course the older Geolandars; they were replaced by the current crop, if I remember correctly.  That being said, I can't imagine they would have changed all that much during the switch.

[davidy]

2011 Consumer Reports on Truck/SUV Winter Tires (Ranked top to bottom):

1. Continental ExtremeWinterContact (68) * CR recommended, best balance of winter traction and stopping grip on cleared roads Note: Overall score in parentheses
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R (68) * CR recommended, best balance of winter traction and stopping grip on cleared roads
3. General Altimax Arctic (66) * CR recommended, best balance of winter traction and stopping grip on cleared roads
4. Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (66) * CR recommended, best for severe winter-traction.
5. Yokohama Geolander I/T G072 (66) * CR recommended, best balance of winter traction and stopping grip on cleared roads
6. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 (64) * CR recommended, best for severe winter-traction.
7. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT (64)
8. Toyo Open Country G02 Plus (62)
9. BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI (60)
10. Firestone Winterforce UV (56)

[Shnak]

Any comments about their treadwear?

[davidy]

Any comments about their treadwear?

In French....at the bottom of my first post:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/winter-tire-reviews-rankings-recommendations-compilation-cr-apa-etc-1089871/

Dave

[Snowman]

The Toyota dealer where we are buying the Venza is installing  Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1-P245/50R20 for $1080.

[ktm525]

The Toyota dealer where we are buying the Venza is installing  Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1-P245/50R20 for $1080.

That is not too bad for 20's. I can believe the CR notes above. The DM-V1's are as soft as used bubblegum. They seem real sticky.

[Snowman]

The Toyota dealer where we are buying the Venza is installing  Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1-P245/50R20 for $1080.

That is not too bad for 20's. I can believe the CR notes above. The DM-V1's are as soft as used bubblegum. They seem real sticky.

That last thing you want in the winter is a hard tire compound.

[ktm525]

The Toyota dealer where we are buying the Venza is installing  Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1-P245/50R20 for $1080.

That is not too bad for 20's. I can believe the CR notes above. The DM-V1's are as soft as used bubblegum. They seem real sticky.

That last thing you want in the winter is a hard tire compound.

Of course but these are really soft. Comparing them to some other snows in my garage: a ContiExtremeWinter Contact, a Pirelli Ice & Snow and an Arctic Altimax. The Blizzacks are another degree of soft.. Lets hope they are some sort of magical rubber compound that is uber soft and long wearing.