2006 Norway Snow Tire Test Results

[CirrusSR22]

The Norwegians just came out with their latest snow tire test. Here's the link to a .pdf from their October 2006 "Motor" magazine.

http://www.motor.no/pdf/M806_DEKKTEST.pdf

Here's a summary of the results:

Studless Snow Tires (points)
1. Continental ContiVikingContact 3 (8.0)
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi (8.0)
3. Gislaved Soft Frost 2 (7.8)
4. Bridgestone Blizzak Nordic WN-01 (7.6)
5. Michelin X-Ice (7.6)
6. Vredestein Nord-Trac (7.2)
7. Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D (7.1)
8. GoodYear Ultra Grip 7 (6.8)

Studded Snow Tires
1. Michelin X-Ice North (8.9)
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 (8.9)
3. Continental Winter Viking2 (8.8)
4. Gislaved Nord Frost (8.8)
5. Bridgestone Noranza (8.4)
6. UniRoyal MS Plus Nordic (8.3)
7. Fulda Kristall Ice (8.2)
8. Pirelli Winter Carving (8.2)
9. GoodYear Ultra Grip 500 (8.1)
10. Vredestein IceTrac (7.7)
11. Nankang Snow Winter SW-5 (6.6)
12. Sunny Winter-Grip (6.1)

[1996 328ti]

With snow tires like all tires, you need to get the tire best for your situation.
In the Washington DC area we don't get that much snow.
For a few years I had th eprevious model of Blizzaks. Great in snow. Sucked on dry. Now I run Vredestein. Great on dry, pretty good on snow.

Some tires will be better on snow, some ice, some dry but each is a trade off.

[DustenT]

Here is a US site dedicated to snow tire tests. It's a bit outdated, but still lots of good info here.

http://www.snowtire.info/

Personally, I love the Blizzak WS-50s.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by DustenT

Personally, I love the Blizzak WS-50s.

In Wisconsin, I would too.

[L84THSKY]

I run on two sets of wheels. Stock 205/60/15 for winter, and 235/45/17 for summer. People don't always understand that the width of the tire has so much to do with it's performane in snow. My Continental Contisport all seasons are my winter tire, and they work just fine on Long Island.

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

With snow tires like all tires, you need to get the tire best for your situation.
In the Washington DC area we don't get that much snow.
For a few years I had th eprevious model of Blizzaks. Great in snow. Sucked on dry. Now I run Vredestein. Great on dry, pretty good on snow.

Some tires will be better on snow, some ice, some dry but each is a trade off.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

I run on two sets of wheels. Stock 205/60/15 for winter, and 235/45/17 for summer. People don't always understand that the width of the tire has so much to do with it's performane in snow. My Continental Contisport all seasons are my winter tire, and they work just fine on Long Island.

Yes, it's always best to run SKINNY tires in the snow. Handling sucks, but at least you'll stay on the road. I also run 205s in the winter.

[tastade]

I wanted to try the Nokian RSI (rain snow ice?) here in Iowa since we don't get a lot of snow (around 3 to 4 ft / year), but we get some freezing rain and generally cold winter temperatures. However, they are expensive running about 140 to 150 a tire installed locally. Instead I bought Dunlop Wintersport M3s for about $105 shipped and installed after a $50 rebate.

I really like the Wintersport M3s right now, but haven't driven them in the snow yet. They still handle excellent, although clearly not summer tires. They are a bit loud, but not obnoxious. The thing to remember is not to push your snow tires hard and they will last a long time. They aren't meant for autocrosses. These tires are actually on the Mazda3 and not my bimmer, but when I replace the snows for my bimmer I might go with these as well. I will post a final verdict after this winter.

Also remember that Snow tires don't have to be used just when there is snow, they are also beneficial any time the temperature is below about 40 degrees as the rubber compounds are designed to provide good traction at low temperatures. So I put mine one when daily high temps start dropping below 40 F on and take them off when they get above 40 on a regular basis. This also tends to coincide with the chance of snow. You are best not to wait until after the first major snow storm to install snow tires as the shops will be overloaded, besides the discounts on the tires tend to be in early fall to encourage buyers to get their tires early.

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

With snow tires like all tires, you need to get the tire best for your situation.
In the Washington DC area we don't get that much snow.

In DC, do you even need snows? I remember that they shut down everything if there's any appreciable accumulation.

I had the Blizzaks but they didn't last more than two seasons. Michy Arctic Alpins (old model) were awesome until they got stolen, not too pleased with the new version, but they're holding up. I sold my jeep so I think I'm going to have to rely on them.

I'm also NOT running nitrogen in the winter tires. Doesn't heat up as well.

[4WDrift]

Originally Posted by aceyx

In DC, do you even need snows? I remember that they shut down everything if there's any appreciable accumulation.

I'm also NOT running nitrogen in the winter tires. Doesn't heat up as well.

RWD fairs much better on winters vs. all seasons in DC, I still want to get around the first few hrs. before plowing. Interesting about the nitrogen.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by aceyx

In DC, do you even need snows? I remember that they shut down everything if there's any appreciable accumulation.

They shut DC down just for the slight possibility of a snow flake. But I use snows to get me home from work rather than to get me to work.

[pdxmotorhead]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

They shut DC down just for the slight possibility of a snow flake. But I use snows to get me home from work rather than to get me to work.

Getting home is the important part!

Dave

[pnosker]

On an unrelated note, L84THSKY, does your speedometer read much differently when using different wheels? It should be about 7.5% off, according to my calculations.

Also, Would you DC guys want to meet up sometime this winter/spring when I have to go down there? (I need to see the new hangar at Dulles for the Air and Space Museum)

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by pnosker

On an unrelated note, L84THSKY, does your speedometer read much differently when using different wheels? It should be about 7.5% off, according to my calculations.

Also, Would you DC guys want to meet up sometime this winter/spring when I have to go down there? (I need to see the new hangar at Dulles for the Air and Space Museum)

Use this to determine speedometer differences with different tires sizes: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[pgh95ti]

Really like my Hakkapeliittas on my E30. Use them here in Pittsburgh from late December through about the end of February. Can't afford a second set of tires and steelies for the ti yet.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by pnosker

Also, Would you DC guys want to meet up sometime this winter/spring when I have to go down there? (I need to see the new hangar at Dulles for the Air and Space Museum)

What here the place is amazing. I'm up for it.