Nokian WR versus??? Input on winter tire decision
12-14-2006, 10:43 AM
#14
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I had a similar decision
I ran Nokian Hakka Q's on my S6, which is not mine any longer. My winter set-up wouldn't fit on my new Passat. I had to move up to a 235 45 17 winter set up as well.
In addition I commute every weekend to Northern VT, for skiing, no exceptions.
In my research there were several options basically dividing between the performance winter tire and the winter friction tire. The NRW was an early version of the performance winter tire, but many other tires have passed the NRW in the past few years for it's winter performance. ADAC, the German automobile association did an extensive test of these type of tires a year or so ago. They rated the wet dry and snow performance. The run-away winner was the Conti-Winter TS810. Here is the link to the summary.
http://www.adac.de/Tests/Reifentests/Winterreifen/205-55-R16-HT-2004-10/tab.asp?ComponentID=94934&SourcePageID=94888
Now, the other option is the pure friction tire, more of the pure snow tire. It has less dry performance, but optimizes the snow and ice grip. In this case the tires are actually a bit more reasonable price wise. The latest from Nokian is the Hakka RSi. I was predisposed to get that tire, As I had nokian previously and they were excellent. The best I could find in in the 235 45 17 for $200 a tire. I was tempted. Then I found this reference.
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/snow-tires/reviews.html
The Scandinavian magazine rated the Michelin X-Ice the equivalent of the RSi. It turns out that the X-Ice is new in the 235-45-17. Michelin has always had the Pilot Alpin in that size, but it has always been weak in the snow tests. In any case the X-Ice is available for $127 from the Tirerack.
So my decision came down to the ContiTS810 or the Michelin X-Ice. I went for the better snow performance of the Michelin and $40 less a tire. I'm using the extra cash for an extra set of TPMS sensors. So good luck and I hope the references help.
In addition I commute every weekend to Northern VT, for skiing, no exceptions.
In my research there were several options basically dividing between the performance winter tire and the winter friction tire. The NRW was an early version of the performance winter tire, but many other tires have passed the NRW in the past few years for it's winter performance. ADAC, the German automobile association did an extensive test of these type of tires a year or so ago. They rated the wet dry and snow performance. The run-away winner was the Conti-Winter TS810. Here is the link to the summary.
http://www.adac.de/Tests/Reifentests/Winterreifen/205-55-R16-HT-2004-10/tab.asp?ComponentID=94934&SourcePageID=94888
Now, the other option is the pure friction tire, more of the pure snow tire. It has less dry performance, but optimizes the snow and ice grip. In this case the tires are actually a bit more reasonable price wise. The latest from Nokian is the Hakka RSi. I was predisposed to get that tire, As I had nokian previously and they were excellent. The best I could find in in the 235 45 17 for $200 a tire. I was tempted. Then I found this reference.
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/automotive/snow-tires/reviews.html
The Scandinavian magazine rated the Michelin X-Ice the equivalent of the RSi. It turns out that the X-Ice is new in the 235-45-17. Michelin has always had the Pilot Alpin in that size, but it has always been weak in the snow tests. In any case the X-Ice is available for $127 from the Tirerack.
So my decision came down to the ContiTS810 or the Michelin X-Ice. I went for the better snow performance of the Michelin and $40 less a tire. I'm using the extra cash for an extra set of TPMS sensors. So good luck and I hope the references help.
12-14-2006, 11:34 PM
#15
FYI I've had both the RSi (last winter) and X Ice (this winter)
The X-Ice is not as good as the RSi in the slippery stuff, but the X-Ice is a little bit better behaved on the dry pavement.
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