urgent need

[jzer]

I need to put new tires on my car. I'd LIKE to put some nice winter tires on my car, so i'm working extra hours over the next few weeks to raise funds for my winter trekking.
Those of you who know cars, know that my tire size: 195/50-16 is weird.

Any suggestions for quality winter tires?

Comments

[anonymous]

you don't have to go with the 195/50-16 size, you can go a little wider for a wider selection: check tirerack 16" choices (if you're using stock wheels)

Notice that Tirerack has regular "winter" Studless Ice & Snow, and has "Performance Winter." Regular winters are a "worse dry handling, better snow traction" balance tire. Performance snows are not as snow-going, but return better feedback and traction in dry conditions (as you bomb around a ramp, for example).

Dunlop Graspic DS-2 is $82/ea in 195/50-16. After 55% wear, it turns into an all-season tire.

Performance Winter: In 205-50/16, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 is $101, not the cheapest, but it has a great snow traction/good handling balance. Winfield had this tire and was very happy with it. They are expensive, but in that 205-50/16 size for some reason they are only $101.

Optionally, in 15" size, TireRack has Blizzak WS-50 (similar to Graspic DS-2) for $77/ea, add $44/ea steel wheels and you have $484 for a set of mounted snows and wheels (before shipping). This is a good snow tire, not performance though.

Pirelli SnowSports have great winter traction and pretty decent dry. Though I got a sidewall bubble in them when I had them (And I know some others that also have got one). It was from a pothole impact probably, but it seems to be a bit too common with Pirellis.

Umm, I guess avoid "Winterforce". It's alright. It's studdable, but don't go with studs.

oh that was me

[ilp]

If you come across Nokian Hakkapeliittas, consider those, a top notch finish snow tire, but TireRack doesn't carry it.

[ilp]

Also, NTB will pricematch TireRack, so you can show them a print out of a TireRack "Checkout page" with tire price & shipping and they will match it with shipping included. You will then save money on mounting.