Brakes Wheels 1st Gen Tires Performance Winter or Snow Tires?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by wzabrouski, Oct 12, 2010.

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  1. wzabrouski

    wzabrouski Active Member

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    #1 wzabrouski, Oct 12, 2010
    With a recent move back to the North East from Texas, I need to start thinking about winter tires. I am not sure if I should get a set of performance winter tires or go full on with snow tires. I was searching around on Tire Rack and am undecided at this point. Anyone have any suggestions?

    Thanks, Walter
     
  2. WolfGTI

    WolfGTI Active Member

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    #2 WolfGTI, Oct 12, 2010
    I live right outside Philadelphia. I run winter performance tires in the winter. Dunlop Wintersport 3D's. They work awesomely for the winter conditions here.
     
  3. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    #3 ZippyNH, Oct 14, 2010
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2010
    Snow tires on a MINI = FUN!!!
    Non-snow tires on a MINI (like UHP all season)=WHITE KNUCKLE DRIVE!!
    Snow tires, below about 40F work better than all seasons....just be honest with yourself about the conditions you drive in....I bought a set of cheap alloys to save on mounting costs, and save my rims!!
    Some snows are for powder some for slush...some for ICE....I personally went with a High performance speed rated snows...so on ICE/snow they are better than all seasons, and do fine in rain too.. (not totally awesome like some Blizacks, but I do better than blizacks on bare roads)...but on bare pavement nearly as good as all seasons...
    Blizzacks are awesome...BUT they can feel odd on warm days, and wear quickly on bare roads!!
     
  4. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #4 ScottinBend, Oct 15, 2010
    I also run a set of dedicated winter snow tires on cheap steel rims. That way I can keep my "fun" tires for the summer!
     
  5. Rally

    Rally New Member
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    #5 Rally, Oct 15, 2010
    Does anyone have any experience with the Pirelli sottozero's?

    I'm trying to find some decent winter 205/45/16's for the new winter wheels I picked up

    Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #6 Crashton, Oct 15, 2010
    I have no experience with those Rally, but I'd say that any dedicated winter tire is going to work well for you.

    Snow tires are a compromise. Performance snows are hardly a performance tire, but only you can decide what is right for your style of driving. Remember narrow is better for snow tires.

    I just got a deal on some Pirelli Winter 190 snows at a closeout price from Tire Rack. My Hakka 2's were beyond their prime so I jumped brands & saved a load. The Pirelli 190 is a performance winter tire, but I feel in a narrow size (185/65/15) they will work better than my worn winter Hakka 2's.
     
  7. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    #7 ZippyNH, Oct 15, 2010
    Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport

    I run the Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSport...been pretty happy!! Looks more like an all season...decent ride and handling too. Got them locally for a song a few years back.
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #8 Crashton, Oct 15, 2010
    What song gets you tires? I'd sing for a set. :D
     
  9. Claymore

    Claymore New Member

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    #9 Claymore, Oct 17, 2010
    Bridgestone Blizzak - AWESOME winter tire
     
  10. TasmanianBlu

    TasmanianBlu New Member

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    #10 TasmanianBlu, Oct 17, 2010
    +1 :Thumbsup:


    Got me to work every day!
     
  11. wzabrouski

    wzabrouski Active Member

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    #11 wzabrouski, Oct 17, 2010
    I was looking at Michelin X-Ice Xi2's.
     
  12. papa-j

    papa-j Active Member
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    #12 papa-j, Oct 17, 2010
    Narrower is better

    +1:Thumbsup: Narrower is better

    When I have to do it over, I will get narrower than 205's. The 205's are great for a lot of my winter driving, but when the snow gets deeper or packed slick then they didn't bite enough.
    I am accustomed to AWD vehicles so that may play into my perceptions (or my driving style). For example, the Mazdaspeed6 is splendid with Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 215's.
    YMMV
     

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