Thread: Tires for the Forrester

It's that time. Any recommendation on good all around tires that do really really well in the snow, and are a good value?

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.

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

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.

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.

I have Dunlop Winter Sports. Go here 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.

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.

I recommend the Dykestar Billie Jean King Pro Model.

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?

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

They're pretty similar- none of them blow.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

For year round use: Nokia NRW

*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?

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.

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

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

Anyone have experience with the Pirelli SnowSport's?

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

Why the hell not?