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Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack |
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10-18-2020, 12:48 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 421249
Join Date: May 2015
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Two Options for Winter Tires
Time to buy some new winter tires for my 2016 base WRX (17" OEM wheels). I was running 235/45/17 Dunlop WinterSport 3D but they are bald. Contemplating switching to a narrower size bc I heard its better in snow but not sure. I believe 215/50/17 is the only other size I can run. I live in Buffalo, NY. Streets are usually plowed pretty well but do get occasional deep snow.
Option A: 235/45/17 X Ice XI3 ($515) Option B: 215/50/17 Altimax Arctic 12 ($450) If I were to get the XI3 in narrower size they would be around $700.
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10-18-2020, 02:17 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 8365
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Vehicle:2019 Mazda MX-5 RF Machine Grey |
Xice Xi3 is not performance tire. You may not like how the car drives.
While narrower is better in deep snow and water (better hydroplanning resistance) it is worse in dry, and some claim worse on the ice. If you drive in deep snow and have a chance of reaching the pavement go narrower. Or your main concern is aquaplanning. Otherwise go OE size, IMHO. Krzy***347; PS. I would suggest that you stick with winter performance tires if you want to keep the handling. |
10-29-2020, 12:10 AM | #3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 488048
Join Date: Jul 2018
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Vehicle:2019 WRX DGM |
What about a wider tire in “deep” snow for better chance of flotation; or staying on top? I could see a wrx high centered on anything more than ~5” or so...
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10-29-2020, 11:44 AM | #4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 448185
Join Date: Jun 2016
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Essex County, New Jersey
Vehicle:2016 WRX DGM |
I have had the Altimax in that size for about... 4 years now. I hate them on dry roads. They're squirrely and gummy and just make me baby the car. However, they're great on snowy roads. If you get snow on your roads where you live (Buffalo gets a lot, yeah?) then the Altimax would be fine if not great for that.
I live in NJ where our roads are plowed within a day and I'm not driving on or through snow. I wish I went with a wider tire for myself. |
10-29-2020, 03:12 PM | #5 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 21145
Join Date: Jul 2002
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Not in my own time
Vehicle:2002 Enemy of Aku |
Quote:
Obviously, they will not handle like a Summer Performance tire but they still handled pretty well in the dry. No one tire will be perfect in every possible winter condition. You have to decide what your average conditions are and go with the tire that best meets your conditions. A narrower tire will " float " less on the snow. Cheap Plug: If anyone in the Nashua / Boston area needs snow tires, I have Michelins up for sale. Comes with FREE wheels. PM me if interested |
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10-30-2020, 08:36 AM | #6 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 8365
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Vehicle:2019 Mazda MX-5 RF Machine Grey |
Narrower is supposed to avoid floating and get to hard surface below. Better hyndroplanning (and slushplanning) resistance.
Wider may work better on ice (more, longer edges grabbing ice) and works better in dry. Pick your average, typical conditions or go for the worst. As said: there is no tire that excels in all situations. Krzy***347; |
11-02-2020, 02:25 AM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 48377
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: "They eat fish soaked in lye"
Vehicle:1996 Gutted, built XP class Impreza L |
I think most people don't understand where you live. You get a CRAPTON of snow. I'd go Option B. I have lived in places that get 300+ inches of snow every winter and I understand the issue. Best of luck.
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11-02-2020, 07:14 AM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 101117
Join Date: Nov 2005
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Dorchester MA / Sunapee NH
Vehicle:2005 Outback 3.0R Red |
Tried the narrower approach, did not find much improvement on snow and ice but much squirmier in the dry.
Not a fan of X-Ice: as expensive as Nokian but do not last as long. The Arctic 12 is a rebranded Gislavid NordFrost. Good bang for buck but not the latest technology. The top tires this season seem to be the Nokian Hakkapelliitta R3 and Continental VikingContact 7. Continental (who owns General and Gislavid) and Nokian (who invented winter tires) are usually the top offerings. |
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