I was going to go with the Green Diamond, but after further review I decided against them. Now I think I've narrowed it down to one; Michelin X-Ice Xi2. The reviews on Tire Rack are great, with everything about the tire being either Excellent or Superior. Is there any reason why I shouldn't get these?

 

Were I to have gone winter tires instead of all season, I'd have gone Michelin X-Ice as well. Based on the research I did, I found the best snow/rain/ice performance in an all season were Michelin Pilot Exalto's, which is what I bought.

Bridgestone Blizzaks, Continental SportContact II (original equipment), Nankang Sonar UltraSport NSII, Pirelli Zero Nero M+S, and Triangle Talon TR96S M+S's couldn't hold a candle to the Michelin's for ride, noise, handling, and stopping grip figures in light snow and ice conditions, and subsequent summer abilities on the same tire.

The only reason not to get winter tires is if like me, you prefer All-Seasons because the typical snowfall and ice conditions where you live is usually mild.

 

Yep, Michelin.

 

I'm a broke ******* so I run all-seasons. Here in Pittsburgh it's usually relatively mild until about January.

 

I just got off the phone with the Town Fair Tire regional manager and he said those tires are a good ice tire, but in heavy snow they don't do as well do to the smaller cracks or sipes in the tire. It makes sense, so he suggested Toyo Observe GO 2. I'm not sure how much heavy snow I'll be driving in, I may go skiing and boarding with my brother this winter, but other than that the roads are never really too bad. The most I've ever driven in was maybe 3 or 4 inches last year in my dads minivan, ha.

He told me he'll have the tires in on monday and I can come down and check them out, I may just buy them and try them out since Town Fair has a 30 day tire trial period. If I don't like them I can switch them for something else. I just hope it snows soon.

 

Do NOT listen to Town Fair Tire for tire recommendations. EVER. You can buy from them but if you want a recommendation, it will be Toyo if you ask them. No thanks!

Use Tirerack to find what tire you want. Read their reviews and read customer reviews, but don't look at the GOOD reviews - look at the BAD reviews (with the exception of the ones that are written by morons).

 

Really? Why do they favor Toyo? Do they get more money from them if the sell their tires? I hate buying things like this, I just want a nice winter tire. Opinions suck.

 

I assume they either get a higher margin, yes, or perhaps they are paid outright to do so. Stick with the X-Ice 2 for winter. Or you can go with one of the Alpin 3 series for a performance tire.

 

im in the market for a set as well. right now im torn between the X-Ice 2's and the perelli winter carving edge. the tread design of the perelli's looks like it would bite more in packed snow and ice, and they are $9ea cheaper. if you dont get much snow, the michelin's look better for normal winter driving.

 

Personally, I'd be buying the Michelin PA3s.