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Old Nov 10, 2010 | 05:07 AM
  #16  
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I forgot to mention... even if I did go to the snow, I'd get a set of separate wheels (some cheap winter wheels) and put snow tires on them because even all season tires aren't all that great in the snow, so what about buying some cheap steel wheels and putting some dedicated snow tires on them and keep your good wheels happy with some high performance summer tires? We have such great handling cars and it's a shame to sacrifice so much handling by buying all season tires...


Cliff notes: Unless you drive in the snow, you don't need all weather tires.



Sorry for the multi-posts, I'm running on empty right now due to lack of sleep,

Last edited by brucelee; Nov 10, 2010 at 05:17 AM.
Old Nov 10, 2010 | 05:21 AM
  #17  
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^ Good information brucelee.

For a good summer tire, I'd recommend the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs. From talking to autocrossers and other good drivers, they're good tires in the wet.
Old Nov 10, 2010 | 06:19 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by brucelee
I forgot to mention... even if I did go to the snow, I'd get a set of separate wheels (some cheap winter wheels) and put snow tires on them because even all season tires aren't all that great in the snow, so what about buying some cheap steel wheels and putting some dedicated snow tires on them and keep your good wheels happy with some high performance summer tires? We have such great handling cars and it's a shame to sacrifice so much handling by buying all season tires...
I agree with you about getting dedicated snow tires but I went with all-seasons myself. Only reason being is that with my wrx being my dd and I take (sometimes) spontaneous trips to the snow (and go about every other weekend in the winter), I don't always have the time to swap tires before and after I get back from the snow. Its nice to just be able to get in the car and go. If it were easier, I would go with dedicated snow tires.
Old Nov 10, 2010 | 06:26 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by robie1208
I agree with you about getting dedicated snow tires but I went with all-seasons myself. Only reason being is that with my wrx being my dd and I take (sometimes) spontaneous trips to the snow (and go about every other weekend in the winter), I don't always have the time to swap tires before and after I get back from the snow. Its nice to just be able to get in the car and go. If it were easier, I would go with dedicated snow tires.
That's understandable, you're actually going to the snow unlike a lot of people that I know who don't ever go to the snow but still buy all season tires because of the rainy winters that we have here in California... What they don't know is that most summer tires are outstanding in wet conditions. Some tires are better than others in the wet, but that's typical of any tire in any condition which is why people should read up on the specs/reviews of the tire that they are about to buy.



What kind of tires did you buy? (Brand, type, rating, and size).
Old Nov 10, 2010 | 11:58 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by brucelee
What kind of tires did you buy? (Brand, type, rating, and size).
I ended up with some Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires since I was able to get a good deal on them. They've treated me well so far, I think when its time to replace them, I might go down the dedicated winter tire route. I'll have to see though, convenience of just getting in and going is quite nice.
Old Nov 10, 2010 | 05:00 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by robie1208
I agree with you about getting dedicated snow tires but I went with all-seasons myself. Only reason being is that with my wrx being my dd and I take (sometimes) spontaneous trips to the snow (and go about every other weekend in the winter), I don't always have the time to swap tires before and after I get back from the snow. Its nice to just be able to get in the car and go. If it were easier, I would go with dedicated snow tires.
I'm just going to leave my dedicated snow tires on all winter. I don't commute, and the only place I drive in winter is up to Tahoe and back. I'll just swap them back out if I go to a track day or something. I went with some cheap 16 inch rims on Tire Rack. If you have wide rims, you should get some thinner ones for snow if you're going that route. They also mounted and balanced them for free.

In my case, it was better than getting a price match because I didn't have to go anywhere to get them, I just got 4 wheels balanced and wrapped in tires right to my door. It kind of pissed off the lady that works at the office in my complex though, because she had to let them deliver it to the office.

On the other hand, it would be nice to support local shops. I'm just lazy sometimes.
Old Nov 12, 2010 | 01:56 AM
  #22  
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I might be able to pick up some used Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D with about 35-40% tread left, I may end up getting them for around fairly cheap. Only problem is they were bought in 2006(probably built around late 05-mid 06), and tire rack recommends that you replace your tires every 6 years. They say it matters because the rubber gets dried out, cracked, etc. So that leaves the Dunlops with about 1.5 years left?

What do you guys think?

EDIT:
nvm guys. if you have 6/32 or less on your winter tires, they should be replaced since they aren't providing a "bite" anymore during snowy conditions.

Originally Posted by tirerack.com
If snow-covered roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 6/32" of remaining tread depth to maintain good mobility. You need more tread depth in snow because your tires need to compress the snow in their grooves and release it as they roll. If there isn't sufficient tread depth, the "bites" of snow your tires can take on each revolution will be reduced to "nibbles," and your vehicle's traction and mobility will be sacrificed. Because tread depth is such an important element for snow traction, winter tires usually start with noticeably deeper tread depths than typical All-Season or summer tires. Some winter tires even have a second series of "wear bars" molded in their tread pattern indicating approximately 6/32" remaining tread depth to warn you when your tires no longer meet the desired tread depth.

Last edited by steeze; Nov 12, 2010 at 02:17 AM.
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