Tires for the Forrester [Archive] - Teton Gravity Research Forums

altagirl

11-03-2003, 02:57 PM

I put Arctic Alpin snow tires on my Subaru last year - then being lazy and broke left them on all summer. Luckily I didn't drive much and they're still in good shape.

Pinner

11-03-2003, 03:10 PM

http://ecom.toyota-gib.com/images/tyre_guide02/goodrich_allterrain.jpg

Benny Profane

11-03-2003, 03:12 PM

Jeez, I would need one of those hatchback rattling sound systems to drown out that noise.

Arty50

11-03-2003, 04:31 PM

Actually, they're fairly quiet. Well, at least I can't hear them over the engine noise and wind leaking through the hardtop of my Jeep.

Viva

11-03-2003, 04:53 PM

For really good snow traction, tank tracks are the way to go. These are also good for scaling walls, crushing other cars, and general high-speed desert warfare.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/images/m1a1-abrams0002-s.jpg

slim

11-03-2003, 04:56 PM

I have Dunlop Winter Sports. Go here (http://www.tirerack.com/) for more beta that you'll need and lots of tire reviews. They also have some of the best prices and will be significantly cheaper than your local tire dealer.

CantDog

11-03-2003, 07:58 PM

with bfg all terrains you would be one butch lesbo in your forester.

For snow tires, its depends on where you are and what snow you will be driving in. Its a bit of a personal preference, I know people who swear by Nokians or Blizzaks.

Check out the Nokian Hakka Q, the Blizzak, and the Green Diamond. Also, check out some rally racing forums www.specialstage.com you can find snow tires for dirt cheap.

Steven S. Dallas

11-03-2003, 08:41 PM

I recommend the Dykestar Billie Jean King Pro Model.

Arty50

11-03-2003, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by Alex P. Keaton
I recommend the Dykestar Billie Jean King Pro Model.

How do those compare with the Nomo Navratalovas or the Ellen Degenerals?

Steven S. Dallas

11-03-2003, 10:47 PM

Originally posted by Arty50
How do those compare with the Nomo Navratalovas or the Ellen Degenerals?

They're pretty similar- none of them blow.

778skier

11-04-2003, 02:11 AM

i have kumho kw-11s on my awd talon. They work really well in whistler road conditions, and have never let me down, especially for the price ($85/tire cdn) And they're studable if you need that extra traction.

If you really want the goods though, check out Nokians tires (nokiantire.com/nokian.htm) The hakkapalita 1s were a favorite among ice racers a couple years ago. I'm sure their new stuff is even better.

11-04-2003, 11:00 AM

That site slim linked rocks! I'll be looking into the Kumho Ecsta HP4 for my Forester. Looks like great value and ranks way up there on all counts. Couldn't find the KW11 that was recommended on that site.

Benny Profane

11-04-2003, 11:09 AM

Hmmmm...yeah, that Kumho Ecsta HP4 looks good. Has anybody used this site? what do you do, just have them shipped to an installer?

Innominatus

11-04-2003, 11:33 AM

Yeah, the Tire Rack rocks. Very good service - call 'em up and talk to a rep if you have questions about a specific application. They're pretty cool and know their stuff.

I've only used them for race tires (since they have weird sizes and will heat-cycle tires and custom shave tread depths) but they are highly regarded for ready-to-bolt-on street wheel & tire combos.

If you've got the coin, that's the easiest thing to do - just order a winter wheel/tire package (the cheapo steel wheels are fine), and they'll ship them to your doorstep all mounted and balanced. All you would have to do is jack up your car in the driveway and bolt them on.

I think its a lot less hassle in the long run to have a summer wheelset and a winter one - going to a tire shop for remounting and balancing gets old fast when you've only got one set of rims.

slim

11-04-2003, 11:54 AM

I'll second the convenience of having a dedicated winter wheel set. Makes winter/summer change over a breeze. Plus you end up getting your money back for the steel wheels by avoiding mounting/balancing costs.

Do some research and buy according to where you're driving as opposed to what is the best snow/ice performance. If you're a weekend warrior and there is no/intermittent snow where you live but tons where you ski... then you'll want a different tire than someone that lives in a snow covered ski town.

778skier

11-04-2003, 01:06 PM

Here's another good tire site with great service http://www.tiretrends.com it's located in british columbia so for the canucks we can avoid border a$$-raping. And if you're in the lower mainland they'll let you come pick them up too to avoid shipping (maple ridge) They also tend to have better prices than tirerack.com

CantDog

11-04-2003, 02:17 PM

I've never been a fan of Kumhos, except for their R compound tire. They always seem to have crummy wear characteristics and was never found of the grip(again minus the R compound). If you are looking for a snow tire, I'd say spend the extra cash and go with the best. You'll thank yourself when you dont slide off the road into a tree. Hakka 1s are great on ice but not in deep snow, Hakka Qs are more built for snow than ice. Green Diamond makes a few too, check those out. And the blizzaks are good. Havent tried the Dunlops, but tirerack rates the blizzaks higher.
-Zack

Aldo

11-04-2003, 02:26 PM

For year round use: Nokia NRW

Summit

11-04-2003, 03:53 PM

*tries to decide*

Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?
Extreme conditions or high speed performance?
Extreme conditions or high speed performance?
Extreme conditions or high speed performance?
Extreme conditions or high speed performance?
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?

slim

11-04-2003, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by SummitCo 1776
*tries to decide*

Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?
Extreme conditions or high speed performance?
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or Dunlop SP Wintersport M3?

If you live in Summit County go with the Graspic. You live in Denver or the Front Range and commute to Summit go with the Wintersport.

I have the Wintersport M2 which is the non-runflat version of the M3... snow performance is very very good. I've driven comfortably in sketchy conditions fast enough to make my girlfriend pissed about my driving. The Graspic will be even better... but you'll get zero tire life if you're driving on dry pavement most of the time... it's a soft tire.

Summit

11-04-2003, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by slim
If you live in Summit County go with the Graspic. You live in Denver or the Front Range and commute to Summit go with the Wintersport.

I have the Wintersport M2 which is the non-runflat version of the M3... snow performance is very very good. I've driven comfortably in sketchy conditions fast enough to make my girlfriend pissed about my driving. The Graspic will be even better... but you'll get zero tire life if you're driving on dry pavement most of the time... it's a soft tire.

The M3 is the next generation of the M2 and only a few sizes of M3 are runflat.... so I am told by Tire-Rack.

I'm leaning towards the DS-1 although it got medeocre handling ratings from Consumer reports :(

Arty50

11-05-2003, 01:22 AM

Never ever under any circumstances trust a word Consumer Reports has to say about cars.

Tical

11-05-2003, 07:14 AM

Anyone have experience with the Pirelli SnowSport's?

Summit

11-05-2003, 12:59 PM

Originally posted by Arty50
Never ever under any circumstances trust a word Consumer Reports has to say about cars.

Why the hell not?

Viva

11-06-2003, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by SummitCo 1776
Why the hell not?

They make recomendations on their criteria alone and often time these criteria do not reflect real-world situations.

As an example, they may rate what we might agree is an excellent snow car poorly because it lacks cup holders, doesn't have leather seat options, no turbo, only a 4-speed automatic as an option, the carpeting isn't so nice, doesn't accelerate as well as the BMW SGI20001 XYZ-special (which happens to cost $300,000 more), etc.

It matters not that this car may be great handling and has high clearance, comes with a ski rack option and killer rubber snow mats.

mildbill.

11-06-2003, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by Pinner
http://ecom.toyota-gib.com/images/tyre_guide02/goodrich_allterrain.jpg

aka mild and nhIcan'tTeleturn.

Summit

11-06-2003, 01:12 PM

Well I was reading a specific review on snow tires.

rightcoast

11-10-2003, 02:19 PM

do they make BFG's to fir a forester seriously??
i wanted to put them on my outback, and i recall they didnt come small enough....no if i just lift it 2 inches and run 235's it will be a beast.

onehotchili

11-11-2003, 05:16 PM

i just got a set of Arctic Alpins from TireRack for my Subaru Outback. i can say the kick ass on the piece of crap OEM all-season tires that i had on before. they even feel better to me on the highway.

i am not sure if you care about my 2 cents, but ask around your *local* area for tire recommendations. some tires work much better than others for certain types of snow. for me, the Michelin Arctic and Pilot Alpins came recommended for Tahoe snow and also if you do a lot of highway driving (which I also do).