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Author Topic: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT  (Read 1130 times)

Offline grambo

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Re: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT
« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2011, 08:09:07 pm »
Quote from: davidy on October 21, 2011, 12:37:51 pm
These two links show the breakdowns of the CR reports on passenger winter tires in 2009 and SUV/truck winter tires in 2011....with ratings on wet braking, snow traction, ice traction, hydroplaning, etc (Note: Hankook Winter I*Pike = W409 in the CR report):

<link clipped>
<link clipped>

Too bad that the Nokians are only available and way overpriced from Kal Tire here in Western Canada...unless you go down to the US.

Interesting to see that the Yokohama Geolander I/T G072 (truck/SUV version of the Ice Guard IG20???) does well in wet braking and hydroplaning, but not as well in ice braking.

As you have said, it's impossible to find a winter tire that is a star in all categories.

Good luck.

Dave

Thanks for those links Dave, I'm not a member of CR so I wouldn't have the info otherwise.

Interestingly, the General Altimax has better wet braking and hydroplaning scores than the X-Ice (if I understand the circles correctly, full red = best, upper red, lower red, full black, upper black, lower black, empty in best to worst). But are significantly worse in ride comfort and noise. They are also $34/cheaper a tire in 205/55R16 on 1010. These are quite an appealing choice based on the CR review.

Tortoise: good point on foot+ of snow, truthfully I rarely encounter that much other than the odd parking lot/trailhead. Very rarely am I in a situation where clearance/undercarriage are an issue compared to packed/icy roads.

Heli: Thanks for the thoughts on wheel size. I called a local tire shop (Volco tires, affiled with 1010tires) and the guy confirmed I can run 205/55R16 no problem on my Mazda 3, I'm assuming that includes caliper clearance. I'm 99% sure my car has the same rotors/calipers as other trims which come with 16's stock.

He quoted me a price on the X-Ice 2 that was within $11 a tire of the 1010 web price, and the Pirelli Winter Ice Control were the same as online price. Steelies same price as well ($69.99). Might end up going there and avoid the delivery hassle. Going to see what their price on the Altimax is. No rebate on General's right now unfortunately, handy thread at RedFlagDeals in the auto section lists them (can't post links yet).

safristi: hydroplaning is a reality of the Sea 2 Sky :), it's dumping snow in Whistler and driving rain at sea level. Sucks to hit the standing water in the dark at 90-100KM/H.

cheers
« Last Edit: October 23, 2011, 08:16:52 pm by grambo »
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Offline Art

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Re: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT
« Reply #21 on: October 24, 2011, 04:22:16 pm »
My son has had 205/55R16 winter tires on both his 2005 Mazda 3 Sport and his current 2009 Mazda 3 Sport.  The same wheels and tires.  No fit or any other problems compared to the stock 205/50R17 on both cars.  The Mazda dealer recommended the 16" wheels/tires for winter. 

Today, however, he would get the 17" painted alloy wheels and matching winter tires.
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Offline Angry Chicken

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Re: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT
« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2011, 07:32:16 pm »
Quote from: Art on October 24, 2011, 04:22:16 pm
My son has had 205/55R16 winter tires on both his 2005 Mazda 3 Sport and his current 2009 Mazda 3 Sport.  The same wheels and tires.  No fit or any other problems compared to the stock 205/50R17 on both cars.  The Mazda dealer recommended the 16" wheels/tires for winter. 

Today, however, he would get the 17" painted alloy wheels and matching winter tires.
:iagree:
That's what I'm running on my Mazda3 and I have no regrets in making that decision.  Running the black steelies and 16" rubber for 5 months doesn't appeal to me.
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Offline grambo

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Re: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT
« Reply #23 on: October 24, 2011, 09:36:38 pm »
Perfect, thanks for the confirmation on fit. I'm going to ask my mechanic, said he might be able to save me some money with his wheel/tire source, and if that doesn't happen I'll likely get the General Altimax Arctic + 16" black steelies from Volco put on a couple Saturday's from now so I'm ready for the ski season.

Will post a review after I've had them in variable conditions in a few months.

thanks again.
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Offline grambo

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Re: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT
« Reply #24 on: October 27, 2011, 05:40:27 pm »
Called around for a few quotes and the best I got was $859.99 + tax for 4x steelies and General Altimax Arctics from OK Tire on Kingsway. Put in an order and will have them installed Saturday. Tire price is $145 which is only a few bucks more than ordering online and without the hassle. It's also slightly cheaper than shipping from Tirerack to Blaine and having them installed at a garage, not even factoring in the gas/time.
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Offline davidy

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Re: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT
« Reply #25 on: October 28, 2011, 02:52:21 pm »
Quote from: grambo on October 27, 2011, 05:40:27 pm
Called around for a few quotes and the best I got was $859.99 + tax for 4x steelies and General Altimax Arctics from OK Tire on Kingsway. Put in an order and will have them installed Saturday. Tire price is $145 which is only a few bucks more than ordering online and without the hassle. It's also slightly cheaper than shipping from Tirerack to Blaine and having them installed at a garage, not even factoring in the gas/time.

Starting today, Canadian Tire has a 25% off on General Altimax Arctic tires. See if OK Tire will match this sale price....I was trying to access CT's price on your tire size.....didn't get thru for some reason.

http://www.discountsontires.com Was fooling around at this site....worked out to $145.xx per tire at your door in Vancouver. Not sure why it's an extra $10 per tire for shipping to a city in the BC interior....when they are based in Quebec.

Dave
« Last Edit: October 28, 2011, 04:44:30 pm by davidy »
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Studded General Altimax Arctic P245/75-16 winter tires on black steelies

Offline grambo

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Re: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT
« Reply #26 on: October 30, 2011, 07:32:17 pm »
Quote from: davidy on October 28, 2011, 02:52:21 pm
Quote from: grambo on October 27, 2011, 05:40:27 pm
Called around for a few quotes and the best I got was $859.99 + tax for 4x steelies and General Altimax Arctics from OK Tire on Kingsway. Put in an order and will have them installed Saturday. Tire price is $145 which is only a few bucks more than ordering online and without the hassle. It's also slightly cheaper than shipping from Tirerack to Blaine and having them installed at a garage, not even factoring in the gas/time.

Starting today, Canadian Tire has a 25% off on General Altimax Arctic tires. See if OK Tire will match this sale price....I was trying to access CT's price on your tire size.....didn't get thru for some reason.

<clip> Was fooling around at this site....worked out to $145.xx per tire at your door in Vancouver. Not sure why it's an extra $10 per tire for shipping to a city in the BC interior....when they are based in Quebec.

Dave

Oops, just saw this post, sale price on 205/55R16 comes to $122.24 at CT.

 I actually had them installed yesterday by OK Tire, price was $129.95/tire + $60/wheel on the 16" steelies + $60 install + $20 BC levy = $879 + tax. Should've asked for a price match to save another $35 but too late now, no biggie. From driving around the last day or so I was surprised they are not as loud as I was expecting, not really any more loud than my all seasons, but I have only been up to 80 km/h on them, and I was used to studded tires before. Handling is also pretty good, not as floaty as I was expecting, but I'm not an aggressive driver, ride is softer/smoother than my summer tires.

Sold my 3 season old 195/70R14 studded Arctic Claws for $120 (still a good 2 seasons of tread on em) on craigslist this morning, nice to get some cash back on those.
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Offline Arctic_White

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Re: Winters for 50% Vancouver + 50% Whistler/Kootenays - Mazda 3 GT
« Reply #27 on: November 02, 2011, 01:23:41 am »
Great choice on the General Altimax Arctics!


They are an excellent combination based on the driving that you would be doing. 

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