Topic: Looking for maximum longevity in winter tires. - Opinions wanted!

[dkaz]

Costco and Kal Tire are generally good about righting wrongs.

Oh and regarding Toyos, I have them on my Mazda 3 for a sixth and final season with 40,000km on it and they have 7.5/32nds remaining. Really good tread wear but they were terrible tires. I'd rather sacrifice tread wear to get better winter grip.

[quadzilla]

I'd rather sacrifice tread wear to get better winter grip.

x1000

[Keith99]

X-Ice! No doubts!

[bethjason]

Any thoughts on Firestone Winterforce?

[aquadorhj]

Any thoughts on Firestone Winterforce?

rated pretty good.  just get it. 

[Noto]

I like the customer reviews on 1010 Tire:
http://www.1010tires.com/tires/Reviews/Firestone/Winterforce

I would say anything above 3.7/5 is a decent buy.  The Winterforce's tread pattern looks relatively aggressive, which would be good for deeper snow, but probably not the best for dry roads and will be a bit noisy.  That's not based on my personal observations, though, but typically the case.

Given that you're from Toronto with a Nissan Rogue, I can recommend the Michelin X-Ice3s for you as my brother had the X-Ice2s on his Rogue and was happy with them.  He downsized to 16" wheels with no issues.  I am usually over-critical of the Xi2s because I didn't love them on my Corolla, but that's because I didn't have AWD or more weight.  The Rogue should match with the Xi3s very well.

[wing]

X-ice if you drive on ice / slush a lot
Bridgestone if you drive in deep snow a lot, still good on ice.
Haka's are good combo of both

[dkaz]

The Winterforce is probably a decent choice for snow but not so much on ice unless you get it studded. My Toyo Observe G-02 Plus were rated 4.0 and I didn't like them. The Bridgestone Blizzak is rated 4.1. I think the problem is they rate the winter tires the same way as summer tires. So a winter tire can get great wet and dry weather handling and earn major points there, while having winter traction just barely better than all-season tires.

Also, I hear nothing but good things about the Continental ExtremeWinterContact. Good on ice, snow, dry, wet, anywhere.

[bethjason]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and recos.  I've decided to go with the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80.

[Noto]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and recos.  I've decided to go with the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgI3TecGXxo

[roundupready]

I find rubber does degrade after a few years, even if there are still lots of treads.  By the fourth year (in my experience), they are just not as good as when they are newer. 

[quadzilla]

I find rubber does degrade after a few years, even if there are still lots of treads.  By the fourth year (in my experience), they are just not as good as when they are newer.

Kind of goes without saying for any tire. 

[2JDM]

I find rubber does degrade after a few years, even if there are still lots of treads.  By the fourth year (in my experience), they are just not as good as when they are newer. 

Yep. I had a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2s for 6 years but they were pretty much useless in their final year, even with plenty of tread. They'd easily spin on cold pavement.

[mmret]

I had a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2s

Baller tires.