posted December 06, 2002 08:47 PM           

Hello to all,

I'm new here. Seeking multiple opinions about a long lasting (min. 30k
miles, four winters for me) studless snow tire. My car came with Goodyear
Eagle LS which I have found to be horrible in wet or snow conditions.

The tires that I have looked into so far have been the Goodyear
Ultragrips-ice, Dunlop DS-1, Firestone Winter? (cheap!), Nokkian h? #1.

The winter conditions here in PA range from ice, packed snow (plowing
done long after snowfall in suburban streets), slush (after plowing they
dump huge amounts of salt everywhere), to the fluffy stuff usually being
less than 12".

Noise is not as much of a concern as handling in dry/wet/snow/slush/ice
conditions as well as longevity. I have noticed that many tires seem to
have sipes that only go about 1/2 if the tread block. Will this be an issue
as the tires wear?
This is most noticable when I compared the Firestones to the Nokkian. Price
is not much of an issue as I see this as an investment over at least four
winters.

More questions: The dealer told me that the nokkians are like the blizzaks,
the only last 2 winters, yet the nokkian websites claim to be the "longest
lasting snow tire in the world", what gives? Does the nokkians require
studs to get the life & traction as claimed?

Best Regards, Tom in PA

posted December 08, 2002 02:10 PM           

Firestone WinterFire for $80.50 each are very very good in snow traction and decent otherwise in comfort, noise, treadwear, wet traction, cornering, etc...

Best tire I found was more money, $125 each. The Pirelli Winter 210 Snowsport