Winter tires for winter in Canada

[fredfreedom]

Hi folks!I'm actually looking for winter tires for my Vibe. I want to buy 205/55 R16 because I have a second set of OEM 16'' rims.Don't tell me about 15'' rims.I have a couple of choice in my mind:- Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25- Dunlop Winter Sport M3- Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3- Michelin X-Ice- Nokian Hakkapellitta RSI- Vredestein Snowtrac 2Actually, I would go with the Nokian or the Vredestein but I want to know your comment about these tires in winter driving, if they are noisy and how long they last.Thanks a lot for your help!

[huy397]

I have been using a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 for two winters now and it is absolutely great...Worth every single penny.Same size as my stock tires too.

[vibe-04]

As per usual, it does come down to money. Look for what you can afford and there are many early deals on mail in items such as survival kits (trinkets). Also, buy early cause they might sell out of your tire size. And Coscto for Michelin may not be the best price.Here are some thoughts on my experience:- Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25: Great tire but becareful of early tire wear cause they are soft. Great ice tire for Mont Tremblant Rotate, rotate rotate.- Dunlop Winter Sport M3Mixed response from my friends. Some love them, some complain of poorer than expected ice handling. We could be talking about a different model cause I don't remember the exact tire type.- Michelin X-IceMy current choice. Nice tread pattern for snow and solid performance on ice. A huge step up from their Artic Alpins, which suck. They have a an expected longer tread life than most snows and not noisy. I'm very happy with them, but not the Alpins for the Accord.- Goodyear, Nokian Hakkapellitta RSI, Vredestein Snowtrac 2Not a clue but the later two sound Swedish and most Swedish things work.Good luck

[Thewhite]

I'm gonna do my third edit winter with the Toyo Garit HT. In Quebec City, there's a snowstorm each two weeks, I'm having a great experience with them, in highway and city driving, in snow and on ice. As I said, it's gonna be my third summer, with probably already 40 000 km done with the set.

[ArcsVibe]

I have a set of Kumho KW 11s and I love them. Best bang for the buck, got them installed for 500$ taxes included. I did the same thing as you as I went with 16s.In that group if I would have to pick it would be the Nokian Hakkapellitta RSI. My father has winter tires from them and they are awesome!Bonne chance and let us know what you get.

[fredfreedom]

I'm not decided yet, but thanks again for your comment folks!If someone else have comments about their winter tires, your comments are welcomed too!Fred:-)

[Vibe_dude]

i have a set of hankooks.....ice bears i do believe...really great ice tire.

[bvibert]

I have the Eagle Ultra-Grips on my Audi and they are damn good, handle well whether there's snow, ice or dry pavement. I've heard the Dunlop M3 is equal or better but couldn't get my size. I'd probably go with the Dunlop if given the choice.

[ArcsVibe]

Fred go over to http://www.tirethrends.com and check out their winter tire section. You can read the reviews of people that have purchased tires and help you make a decision. Then you can check around the Montreal shops to see if you are getting the best price.Bonne chance encore

[goodvibrations]

Hi Fred You might want to check out the October issue of Consumer Report. They have a complete test of both all season and winter tires. They rate the Good Year Triple tread as the best all season tire and the Michelin Ice at as the top Winter tire. They tested about 10 different winter tires. May help make your decision easier. Good Luck.

[goodvibrations]

Hi Fred You might want to check out the October issue of Consumer Report. They have a complete test of both all season and winter tires. They rate the Good Year Triple tread as the best all season tire and the Michelin Ice at as the top Winter tire. They tested about 10 different winter tires. May help you make your decision easier. Good Luck.

[fredfreedom]

Yes, I received my november issue of Consumer Reports and they quote the X-Ice as the best winter tire overall, It's excellent in snow traction and braking on ice, but braking on dry and wet pavement is only fair. Hydroplaning resistance is only fair but the're very good for noise. The comments about this tire on Tire Trend is that tread life isn't very good.Actually, my main choice remain the Vredestein Snowtrac 2. It's a little bit more pricey than the X-Ice, but there's a lot of Silica in it's compound, so the tire will last, and last, and last... Also, the quality reputation of Vredestein is excellent. Here's the website: http://www.vredestein.com

[Bobtronique]

I just bought 4 tires and wheels this week. I stopped my choice on Good Year winter Ultra Grip Ice. Wheels are stock from Toyota. I got good prices from my local Good Year Service Center. I paid $133.00 CAN + taxes per tire. Wheels were $57.95 CAN + taxes each.I don't know actual performance. But a lot of peoples says that a good choice to buy those.

[Sputnik]

I got some winter Coopers a couple of years ago. They seem to be pretty good. They were $630 for all four, plus installation.

[bvibert]

I also just put a set of Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice on my girlfriends Vibe AWD, we'll see how they behave.

[heha]

i just bought some coopers for my vibe, my local car shop guy says there good for the winnipeg area and they only cost me 590 with tax, and alignment. there for our oems right now, but my dad works with a guy who also works at a wrecker and gonna have him look for a set of rims that will fit.

[vibe-04]

I swapped both cars yesterday and it snowed today! (That's 16 tires and 80 nuts!) I noticed the threads on the center hub on both front wheels rusting badly so I layers some wheel bearing grease to arrest the rust. I tried last year to find a dust cap for them but no luck -- nothing fit. I also noticed a severe build up of dirt around the inside of the summer alloy and winter steel wheels, about 3/32" to 1/4" thick. I picked up a box of washer fluid, put the spare gloves and hat in the glove box, tow ropes in the boot (cause you can always find a friendly 4x4 in winter) and I'm picking up jumper cables tomorrow. So I'm ready winter for the salt...

[shane_c]

I know this is an old thread but just thought I'd reply. The only winter tire I've had experience with was the Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip. They actually lasted me about 7 years. I first had them on my Mustang which only saw 1 winter of driving. Then my father used them on his Jeep a few winters. Then I took them back and used them on my Jetta for 3 years. I found them to be a great tire in the snow but I think I might try something different this year with the Vibe.