snow tires?

[Frumious B.]

I relocated from Texas to Massachusetts, and now I need snow tires. What are some recommendations?

I don't drive much. I walk to work, and pretty much everything I need to live is withine walking distance. I'd like to own ONE set of tires b/c I do not need a spare set decorating my living room. I looked at Blizzaks and Michelin X-tires, but they are not the right speed rating. Pirelli Winter Carving and Winterforce M+S seem to be ok. Any opinions?

(PS, long time no lurk. been busy hating my job and finding a new one.)

 

[JIffy94]

finding a good set of snows with a proper speed rating is gonna cost you....Besides, who really needs to go THAT fast on a set of snows? When i lived in colorado i personally used hankook 401's on my audi.....They are awesome. I would ditch the idea of getting a set of speed rated snows. Even a great set of all seasons are marginal compared to a full on set of snows. What size are you lookin to get....It really isnt that bad having to switch out sets either....Think of it this way, if you buy a strictly snow tire and swap em out when spring hits, those snows will probably last you a good couple seasons.....I doubt i burned a 1/32 off mine all last winter....And i dont baby the ur quattro when it comes to snow....

 

[Shawneebear93]

Blizzak WS-50s and #2 50lb. bags of sand in the hatch.

 

[Red_LX]

I've always had good luck with the Pacemark Snowtrakkers they sell at Sam's Club, of course you can't get those if you're not a member.

 

[Frumious B.]

if you buy a strictly snow tire and swap em out when spring hits, those snows will probably last you a good couple seasons.....I doubt i burned a 1/32 off mine all last winter....

How long do snow tires normally last? I was assuming they had a lifetime similar to regular tires.

I drive less than 20 mi per week, and it's city driving. I'm not going fast.

 

[Red_LX]

Less than 20 miles a week? Hell, a set of snow tires should last you forever. I was putting 70 miles a day, 6 days a week, on mine from about november-april and they still lasted me 2 years.

 

[JIffy94]

snows can last a long time, i think my 401's came with somethin like 9-32nds.....alot of tread, but you should replace them at like 4-32nds. I had my snows for 2 full seasons of colorado snow, and they still have between 7.5-8/32nds on each. They will last a long time if you: take care of them and keep them off a hot road, they tend to get too soft and start to chunk a little. Like red said, if you only drive 50 miles a week, they will last you forever. Good luck on your purchase.

 

[Keasbey]

I have the the winterforce M+S and they work great..