Best 19" Snow Tires

[SUV55]

I have decided to get 19" winter wheels, particularly the 449 winter wheels (thanks to Opasha's photoshop skills). I am still having a difficult time deciding which snow tires to purchase. I drive in the city, suburbs, and mountains of VT & NH. I am a skier.

I am looking for snow tires that are good to excellent in snow and ice, but at the same time handles fairly well in dry roads...so the sidewalls can't be too mushy. Importantly, they need to be fairly QUIET as tire noise can make a 2 hour drive seem like a 4 hour one.

I realize there is no one tire that does it all, but is there a snow tire out there that merges the line between a robust snow tire and a high performance tire?

BMW sells this kit with the 449s and Pirelli RF Scorpion snow and Ice, but I am sure most of you will say get the wheels without tires, ditch the RF as they will be very noisy and offer so so winter performance...correct?

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/43...-TIRE-ASSEMBLY

Here is a link at Tire Rack for 255/50/R19

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...ing=XL&tab=All

Of course there is also the Nokian R2 And WRG3 SUV.

http://www.nokiantires.com/tires/suv.../winter-tires/

The new WRG3 SUV in the high performance category looks very interesting as it has improved grip over the WRG2, but it appears to be a very aggressive all season tire. It may not cut it for very snowy weather like the R2 would. I also can't find anything relative to the tire noise of the WRG3. I was in a vehicle with Blizzaks and the tire noise was way to excessive...I would assume the R2 would have similar tire noise.

What do you all recommend? If you have used any of these tires please post your comments.

Thanks!

[barcelona]

If you are looking at 255/50/r19 RFT then from Nokian is:
Hakkapelitta SUV R Rated XL
WRG2(RFT) whereas WRG3(non-RFT). The G3 is the replacement for G2

[SUV55]

Barcelona, thanks for the clarification.

I am pretty sure I want to go non-Run flats. In a 19" size and and being a little lower profile than ideal, I think the softer sidewall of the non-rf will assist in giving a better ride in the pothole filled winter months and will also help prevent wheel damage.

[SUV55]

A review of the R2:


http://tires.about.com/od/Tire_Revie...eliitta-R2.htm

Performs well and I am surprised how quiet the reviewer says these tires are.
Last edited by SUV55; Today at 06:31 PM.

[barcelona]

Originally Posted by SUV55

A review of the R2:


http://tires.about.com/od/Tire_Revie...eliitta-R2.htm

Performs well and I am surprised how quiet the reviewer says these tires are.
Last edited by SUV55; Today at 06:31 PM.

The reviewer also did write up's on the WGR2 & WRG3, whilst stating that the WRG2 were better than the newer WRG3's. Nokian rebutted that ( & I believe one Nokian comment was that the reviewer tested the G2's after the Hakka's hence set the bar, high) and Sean ( Reviewer) said he would do a follow up test, for which I have not seen (maybe not yet performed a follow up)

For Mountain climbing with snow, I would think that a dedicated snow R2 is better suited than a WR ( all weather). Unsure if the Nokian Hakka R2 is a perfect winter tire but I think it would be "one" of the best "maybe not the best" winter RFT. Michelin X-Ice X13 is also highly rated, but not available in RFT.

Rodin (has many good ratings for Winters), the latest is:
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1037961

[SUV55]

Yes, I read the reviewer's other reviews as well, including the one where he liked the WRG2 far more than the newer WRG3. It was an interesting read.

I agree, if I go with Nokian it will likely be the R2. I will check out your link.

[SUV55]

I have read that Pirelli has released a redesigned winter tire called Scorpion Winter. It is very popular on the Porsche Cayenne forums. Still reading on the differences between the two tires.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by SUV55

I have read that Pirelli has released a redesigned winter tire called Scorpion Winter which will likely (eventually) replace the Scorpion Ice & Snow. It is very popular on the Porsche Cayenne forums. Still reading on the differences between the two tires.

Curious as well. So new Scorpios are out already?

[SUV55]

Yes, the Scorpion Winter has been out for a while. The tread pattern is a bit more aggressive than the Ice & Snow.

http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/make-d...ce-and-snow-v2

Consumer Reviews of the Scorpion Winter...seems like a real contender.

http://www.tirerack.com/survey/Surve...irePageLocQty=

[1230vani]

Got non run flat pirelli scorpio. 285 45 19 W XL
255 50 R 19 W XL. My tire dealer struggled to find the rear tire. So i have to get the pretty "useless" tire pressure kit. It is required by law so need to have it. Dealer also looked in the latest Rial catalogue and we could not find the wheel posted on another thread (20"). I hope non rft will be ok on such a big vehicle.

[SUV55]

Pirelli has released a new LM-80 Blizzak V rated high performance snow tire, this year in a non-run flat version.

http://www.blizzak.eu/en/lm80/features

I think I have narrowed it down to the Pirelli Ice &Snow, which is the unanimous favorite among the Porsche Cayenne owners. The only thing is, in order to get a V rated Pirelli I & S I either have to go a RF version, which I am trying to avoid or I believe there is a Porsche certified non-rf version with a high speed rating (V or above). This non-rf version with a high speed rating is not on the Pirelli web site or on the Tire Rack web site. Does this tire need to be purchased through a Porsche dealer?

Odd, the Pirelli I & S RF that is V rated in this size only comes up on the BMW site as well, not on the Pirelli or Tire Rack site.

[SUV55]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Got non run flat pirelli scorpio. 285 45 19 W XL
255 50 R 19 W XL. My tire dealer struggled to find the rear tire. So i have to get the pretty "useless" tire pressure kit. It is required by law so need to have it. Dealer also looked in the latest Rial catalogue and we could not find the wheel posted on another thread (20"). I hope non rft will be ok on such a big vehicle.

Are your W speed rated Scorpions... Ice & Snows?

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by SUV55

Are your W speed rated Scorpions... Ice & Snows?

Dont know. Have no clue what that means. If not W it is not good?

[opasha]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Dont know. Have no clue what that means. If not W it is not good?

Info on Speed Rating from http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=35:

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:
L 75 mph 120 km/h Off-Road & Light Truck Tires
M 81 mph 130 km/h Temporary Spare Tires
N 87 mph 140km/h
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.
W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by opasha

Info on Speed Rating from http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=35:

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:
L 75 mph 120 km/h Off-Road & Light Truck Tires
M 81 mph 130 km/h Temporary Spare Tires
N 87 mph 140km/h
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.
W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

Thanks to both.

[SUV55]

I notice that higher speed ratings effect the sidewall even at lower to moderate speeds. Better handling at all speed without that mushy sidewall feeling.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by SUV55

I notice that higher speed ratings effect the sidewall even at lower to moderate speeds. Better handling at all speed without that mushy sidewall feeling.

I told them i want a strong sidewall tire but the choice was very narrow. Tires should arrive soon i will check for the speed ratings as suggested. Thanks again. On E92 i bought michelin pilot sport tire and that was an amazing difference dor the better so i kinda know whatbyou mean because it had strong sidewalls it behaved awesome.

[SUV55]

This is the one.

[barcelona]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Got non run flat pirelli scorpio. 285 45 19 W XL
255 50 R 19 W XL. My tire dealer struggled to find the rear tire. So i have to get the pretty "useless" tire pressure kit. It is required by law so need to have it. Dealer also looked in the latest Rial catalogue and we could not find the wheel posted on another thread (20"). I hope non rft will be ok on such a big vehicle.

Not to say that your info is incorrect. I picked up a Pirelli brochure.
FYI, it has info that appears to be different from what you have listed.
255/50R19 107 XL v(240km) Scorpion Winter
285/45/r19 111 XL v Scorpion Ice& Snow
Perhaps, you may want to double check, also ok to mix?

[SUV55]

I would say, very unlikely ok to mix the Winter with the Ice & Snow.

[1230vani]

Ok, thats worrysome info, not mixing tires. I will double check. Thanks for your feedback