legomaroon Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Who's got what, and why and what do you like about them? I had altimax's on my Volvo, and they did the job but were not the best. I drive in a range of conditions in the winter (I live in Franconia NH for most of the winter/ spring season) Anywhere from deep powder to slush. I have my eye on the Bridgestone Blizzak, any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COmtnBiker Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 The Blizzaks are great! I Have also used the Yokohama WDrives as well. They are a good snow tire as well. I'd say a 8/10 and the Blizzaks being a 9/10-10/10 depending on which model you get. Thats all just my own opinion though. 2012 Xterra Pro-4X 2003 Outback Sedan Limited D.U.S.T.O.F.F. "Dedicated Unhesitating Service To Our Fighting Forces" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 There are many flavours of Blizzaks (at least two: WS and LM), which one in particular are you thinking about? Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurlyOldManMN Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Search the forums for Blizzak, there has been some really great conversation on it here. I know I've posted in a couple of them, here's the condensed version: Bizzak WS60 = beast in beastly conditions. Which is cool, except when you don't have beastly conditions to wade through. Then it's just a big, squishy winter tire. Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 = beast on cold pavement and light snow. If you live somewhere that knows how to clear snow off the highway, this is what you'll spend the majority of your time driving on. I won't go back to the Blizzak's. Not because there's anything wrong with them, but because I can't REALLY use them more than 5-10 times a year. The rest of the time is on plowed roads or fairly shallow snow. With the PA3's I can still murder cloverleafs in 20* weather... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloz2 Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I really liked my conti extremewintercontact tires I got this year. Great feel on dry/wet and excellent grip on ice and snow. I commute through western NY backroads, never had any concerns while driving through 1'+ of wet lake effect snow. I had Cooper weathermasters on my wife's Outback. They were good in deep snow, but overall my contis were head and shoulder above them IMHO. Current: 16 Crosstrek Premium w/ Eyesight & 05 Outback XT 5MT Past Subies: 14 FXT Premium, 14 WRX hatch, 06 Legacy 2.5i SE 5MT, 98 Outback wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legomaroon Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 There are many flavours of Blizzaks (at least two: WS and LM), which one in particular are you thinking about? Krzys The WS. It gets nasty quite frequently, and where I live is, lets just say not exactly on the map for plowing. Add into the equation a mile and a half, probably 10- 20 % grade hill I get to descend and climb at least twice a day, and I have the need for beastly snow tires that can handle anything from slush to 3 or 4 feet of snow. I have officially quit being stuck in the snow. Even thinking about a small 4000 lb winch if things get really nasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurlyOldManMN Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 WS60's have silly grip... for the first season, MAYBE two. They're stunning in gnarly conditions when they work. After season or two the outer layer with the micro whats-a-whosit's and magic sipes wears off, then they're crap. If you're a no-compromise guy willing to replace them every season or two and living in an area were roads truly are severe more often than not, I'd say go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainman Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I loved my General's this last year. My Conti's sucked... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I loved my General's this last year. My Conti's sucked... Which General, which Continental? Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated thefultonhow Posted July 8, 2011 I Donated Share Posted July 8, 2011 I had altimax's on my Volvo, and they did the job but were not the best. What didn't you like about them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legomaroon Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 What didn't you like about them? They were lacking in conditions other than perfect snow, and only about up to a foot of it. Pass the 12 " mark and they floundered- bad. Slush, terrible, but surprisingly, mud, they were awesome. Also I guess I should keep in mind that I only had FWD on my voo-voo. The tires sure were cheap enough though, I managed to harang them for 360 installed and balanced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Talk snow tires this time of year? Hell no! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTPpilot Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I really like my General Altimax Artic's. Last winter was miserable and I never got stuck even with my 2wd Ford Fusion which became 1wd on anything slippery. I live on long steep winding hill and came close to getting stuck but never actually did. Car sucked in the snow and rain with the coilovers on it, but the tires got the job done. This year I will run All Season's but hope to try Artic's on the subaru eventually. Should be awesome. Matter of fact, I sold the General's after 3 season and they still had a fair amount of tread left. Great tire. Quiet, good ride, great turn in, hard to believe they were snow's sometimes. Got a little squirmy under hard braking on dry pavement but that's too be expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Talk snow tires this time of year? Hell no! The best time to buy is actually in the next couple of months when most of them should be in stock and you'll have your greatest selection. I'll most likely be going with the Michelin X-Ice2 or the Blizzak WS70. The WS60s that I had before served me well for the past 3 seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I'm set for 2 more seasons. I like my Altimax's as well, and they did great over our record breaking winter season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legomaroon Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 If I can find the altimaxs for that cheap again that's what I will do, just because. I just assumed there was better out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katalyst Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 our winter seasons last for practically 6-7 months up here with temps into -20F and plenty of snow. i can say that the blizzak WS series is phenomenal and never let me down. the biggest factor in the performance of this tire is not the handling but the superior stopping distance it offers which gives me a lot of confidence in it. though to some degree i might agree that is overkill if you live in an urban/suburban area that plows frequently. but i make numerous trips into the mountains in the winter time and coupled with subaru AWD, it's a great combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legomaroon Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 our winter seasons last for practically 6-7 months up here with temps into -20F and plenty of snow. i can say that the blizzak WS series is phenomenal and never let me down. the biggest factor in the performance of this tire is not the handling but the superior stopping distance it offers which gives me a lot of confidence in it. though to some degree i might agree that is overkill if you live in an urban/suburban area that plows frequently. but i make numerous trips into the mountains in the winter time and coupled with subaru AWD, it's a great combo. Sounds like you are in the same range of temps, snow, and driving conditions that I deal with. I keep hearing good things about the blizzaks, maybe I give them a try. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjwelna Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Dunlop Wintersport 3D here, I loved 'em last winter! I went with a 225/45-17. -Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBlack-V Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 When I had my WRX I had a set of Blizzak LM-25's which i LOVED. they were awesome in the snow and ice it sucks that Bridgestone doesnt make them anymore I was 0. And I'm still a zero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Didn't they replace the LM-25s with LM-60s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 That was my understanding (LM-25->LM-60). However Bridgestone LM series never get that well rated compared to others (Continental TS 810 and 830, Dunlop 3D, Goodyear that happens to not be available in NA - Ultra Grip 7). Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGT_Ltd_wagon Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 When I had my WRX I had a set of Blizzak LM-25's which i LOVED. they were awesome in the snow and ice it sucks that Bridgestone doesnt make them anymore +1 I bought up a few sets because they were the best snow tires I have ever had ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quick4dr Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Dunlop 3d's = Amazing! Used for first season last winter, tread looks un-touched after approx 4k miles. Tires pull like champs through thick slush, hard pack, and ice. best part... amazing streatability during dry/ warmer winter days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeylord Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I've got a set of WS70s sitting, waiting for snow... This will be my first time on show tires, really looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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