Erik R. A.

I see Michelin is introducing the X-Ice Xi2.
Anyone know how this will compare to the original X-Ice in terms of dry road handling, snow handling, and on ice? Looks like it will be more of an "ice" tire vs a "snow tire, based on the pictures.

Which would be good for me in Minneapolis, as we have lots of ice, but not really much snow.
Tires I am considering (in order of how I suspect they handle on dry pavement):
New X-Ice Xi2
Original X-Ice
Hankook iPike W409

Comments on the order? How do you think they would be ordered in terms of grip on ice? In snow?

I've always loved Nokians, but they are so expensive...

Thanks,
Erik

jprice@CPS

I run the Original X-Ice on my wife's car in the winter, and I have Nokian Hakka2s on my A4.

What I've found is I don't like tires that are specific to ice. The reason for this is while they do well on ice, they don't do as well in deeper snow and slush. There's not much groove between the tread blocks which really seems to dig through snow well, and allow slush to be channeled between tread blocks.

Previous to the Nokian Hakka2s, I had the Nokian RSi on my A4 and while they did good on the ice, they weren't as good in the snow as the hakka2s, and they weren't as good on dry pavement either.

The Hankook iPike W409 tread pattern is a copy of the Nokian Hakka5. The iPikes actually do pretty well, especially for the money! I know several people who run those and like them here in Minneapolis.

If I had to choose between the X-Ice / Xi2 or the Hankooks, I'd get the Hankooks!

Erik R. A.

jprice-

How would you rate the Hankook vs the X-ice (or RSi) in terms of:
Dry
Snow
Ice

Thanks,
Erik

jprice@CPS

Dry: X-Ice > Toss up between RSi Hankook and iPike W409
Snow: Hankook iPike W409 > RSi > X-Ice
Ice: RSi > X-Ice > Hankook iPike W409

jprice@CPS

I think it's a re-branded Gislaved NordFrost 3. Definitely looks like a very good option, though I have no personal experience with it yet.