Severe winter-rated tires?

[steved]

OK, kinda got my eye on one of two tires for a "winter" tire in the 265x70r17 flavor. I'm going for a minimum of the "mountain and snowflake" emblem (severe winter) rated tires.



I'm looking at either the Bridgestone Blizzak W965 or the Cooper Discover M&S (also available in the Mastercraft series). I like the looks of the Blizzaks and they have good reviews. But I know the Mastercraft version of the Cooper works extremely well... so I'm torn. Both of these are available in a E-rating. These will be a winter-only tire as I have a set of Pirelli STRa's on my aluminum wheels for summer, so mileage isn't as much of a concern as usefulness.



I'm in New Mexico, and will probably be buying these in the next couple weeks (before Thanksgiving). Both are available from Discount Tires at a price of $177 for the Bridgestones and $195 for the Coopers.



Bridgestone Blizzak W965



Anyone running the Blizzak?? How does it perform? Probably more tire than I need, but it looks like I'm going to be spending a lot of this winter in New Mexico and points in between PA and NM. Thoughts?



steved

 

[JGK]

I haven't had any experience with either of the tires you mention, though I know Blizzaks are very popular with high performance cars like BMWs and Mercedes and so forth. All I can offer is yet a third option that I do have experience with. That being Nokian Hakkapeliittas. I've used a studded set of these on our AWD Volvo wagon for the last 6 winters and they still have a lot of tread left. And, more importantly, they work like claws on ice and snow. On a snowy night one night a few winters ago when the roads were sheets of glassy ice and some folks couldn't even pull away from a stop light, I was cruising like it was simply rain soaked roads. I was extremely impressed. If I could get them in the size I use on my truck, I'd buy a set. They are made in Finland, I believe, and the Finns know how to make snow tires!



In any case, here's a link for you (they do list a set in the size you specified):



Nokian Tires



-Jay

 

[Matt400]

That W695 looks like a good winter tire, another with high winter marks is this one:

Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

 

[icman95]

I'm all about those Coopers! Tried the HT's on my wife's Durango and loved them! Great bite in snow. So impressed that I wanted a set for my plow truck (92 Jeep) but being a plow wanted even more bite. Got the Cooper ATR's and loved them even more. Put a set of ATR's on my dually after that. They do come in truck sizes and E rating. Can't say enough good things about them.

 

[SBall]

One would argue that I have about the worst truck for winter, (2wd nose-heavy diesel dually). I went with the Cooper Discovery M&S and, while I still need to add weight in the back, I haven't needed to chain up yet. With my slide-in camper, I'm unstoppable! I frequent ski areas in the winter with the camper.



I was in the market for a serious snow tire with the intent to use them only on the rear, (4). The guys selling the Blizzacks were all telling me that I needed to use them on all for corners, (6) or risk poor handling. I know that is true with passenger cars and single rear wheel trucks, but thought it might not necessarily be the case with a dually.



The (4) Coopers have a serious winter tread with lots of sipes, and wear like iron.

 

[GHarman]

Been driving snow packed and icy mountain roads for 31 years. At this present time I have BF Goodrich tires with the block tread and Studs on my Truck. BFG's 235/85 R16E M&S, I got at Discount @ <$600 for 4, out the door M&B w/studs. Big-O tires has a heavily siped tire that is studable. Its called the Arctic Claw. A very aggressive tire tread design. They are also very noisy. ( I always use studs, cheap insurance on icy roads and wet packed snow. ) Just bought a set of 5 for my wifes Toyota Highlander and a set of 4 for the Ferd Taurus. They are also available in real truck sizes. I dont need them for the truck this year.

One serious point! Dont take the first given price from anybody. Tire dealers are worse than car dealers. Play one against the other and make'em squeal. They think you are a cash cow! Dont give in. I use Costco and small independents against Discount and Big-O and tell'em that I can get a better deal elsewhere. Will use independents for Cooper tires. Just some thoughts. GregH

 

[opjohnny]

The bridgestones in the E size to fit the 3rd gen are new this fall. I would be surprised if someone has any expirence with them. I would love to have a set of dedicated winter tires on some st wheels, the salt is hard on the alum and chrome wheels here. I would try the 965's or the Nokians. They are supposed to work on ice. If you have an onboard air compressor you could "air down" like at the Jeep club trail ride if things get real bad. Sure made a big difference in the snow. That Pirelli str does not look like it would work well in the snow.

 

[opjohnny]

Chains on what you have would be cheaper if you have to buy the extra set of wheels. Course I never let money try to effect my decisions!

 

[GHarman]

Chains on what you have would be cheaper if you have to buy the extra set of wheels. Course I never let money try to effect my decisions!

opjohnny, I gave up on chains a long time ago. They are only used to get me out of a bad situation, which I try avoid. Chains are not easy for me to handle these days and are high maintainence if you use them regularly. GregH

 

[mgonske]

Does anyone have any experience with Treadwright or Green Diamond tires? They're retreads, but the concept sounds interesting (and more affordable for a seasonal tire, if I had an extra set of wheels.



I'm not quite sure what the difference between the two is--I found Treadwright first, and they sell/make "Green Diamond" retreads, but then I found the Green Diamond website later, and it looks like a different company.

 

[steved]

That Pirelli str does not look like it would work well in the snow.

Actually, it works surprisingly well for what it is...



steved

 

[steved]

opjohnny, I gave up on chains a long time ago. They are only used to get me out of a bad situation, which I try avoid. Chains are not easy for me to handle these days and are high maintainence if you use them regularly. GregH

Or if you drive long distances... chains are not the answer.



I will probably go after the Bridgestones to see how they work...



steved

 

[Hincka]

I vote for the Cooper M+S. I will be buying a new set in a couple of weeks. I had them on my 04 and loved them. I used it as a plow truck, and those tires just would not slip. Very sure footed even on snowpack. I can't wait to see how good they will be with the weight of my Mega over them.



As for the Green Diamond retreads, I have a friend that bought those and loved them for the first winter the second winter they threw them away and bought a set of Coopers. The Green Diamonds have silica in the tread compound and that part of the tread wore out quickly, after the silica was gone all they did was spin and slide.

 

[ddutil]

I have run Bridgestone DMZ2 load range C for the last 3 years and have been satisfied with them (beside I would have preferred 17'' load range E if any had been available back then in 2003).



Dan

 

[steved]

With the chance I need to haul something, I got to have a minimum LR E. A LR C won't cut it in my case...



steved

 

[steved]

Well, I ordered a set of the Coopers... WOW, have tires went through the roof!

I priced a lot of places, and a lot of tires (not just winter tires), and the cheapest 265-70r17 was $177/tire installed!! I ended up paying just over $200/each for the Coopers, and another $12/tire for studs. They are being shipped into Santa Fe from Denver to a Big O Tire store for pickup Saturday... just in time for snow next week!

I tried Discount Tire (who promised $195/tire), but when I called today, I was told Cooper no longer made the tire?? Umm, then why is it still on their website, and why does your competitor down the street have them??? They then tried to sell me anything but what I wanted... and when I said I wanted three things (a 265 size, Load Range E, and Severe Weather Rated), they hung the phone up on me... which I promptly returned the call and told the assistant manager I would never buy a set of tires from them.

So anyway, I will have these tires Saturday. I will add updates as I see how these do.

steved

 

[icman95]

Good luck with the Coopers. I think you'll be happy. The prices you quote aren't too far off. When I put mine on two years ago they were $179 installed. After putting on all six and with taxes/disposal fees it was an $1100 job. A lot of money, but worth it. Keep in mind that the price is because you want a TRUCK tire, not a passenger or light truck tire. My wife has very similar tires on her Durango, but they cost only $110 each at the same shop. They have the same tread, but they're not as strong-don't have to be.

 

[SBall]

I think you'll be really pleased with the Coopers. Be sure to give us a follow-up report on how they work out for you in next weeks snow.



Steve

 

[steved]

And just so everyone knows this, I researched the tires in my size that had that severe weather rating... including that Arctic Claw, the Bridgestone, and this cooper M&S.



I decided on the Coopers for the following reasons: They were recommended over the Arctic Claw by a Big O dealer, and the Bridgestone reviews were very mixed (some worked well, while others didn't) and they aren't studable. The claws looked really interesting since they were able to be pinned for 25-35% more studs than a comparable tire... that's a lot of studs. But the Big O dealer indicated that the Cooper was a more aggressive snow tire, and that would probably be a better choice for what I wanted.



I basically narrowed it to the Claws and the Coopers, and there was less than $1 difference per tire... so cost wasn't a selling factor. I have prior experience with the Mastercraft version of the Cooper, and that was probably the final push for the sale.



steved

 

[Steve Phillips]

Nokian Tires



These are some of the best winter tires in the world' I have run on my rally car and daily driver for years. Just do not have enough snow for a need on my truck. People that I've talked with about them on trucks have nothing but good things to say.