What is the best brand of snow tires to get? and I'm not too sure about sizes, I still have the stock wheels and rims on. Thank you

 

A lot of people say they all the same but I got Blizzaks

 

Any dedicated snow tire is going to make worlds of difference compared to summer, or even most all-season tires. Just remember that when it comes to tires for snow, narrower is better

The majority of people will go with Blizzak because they are probably the most well-known and very reasonable in price. I personally have Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3's and couldn't be happier. Any reputable brand tire should be more than enough.

Another point of interest: I personally prefer directional tread patterns when it comes to winter tires. I say this because with winter tires, you almost always have softer sidewalls than your summer set, and most of us (myself included) run different, smaller-diameter wheels with our winter tires. That increases sidewall height and overall flex which, coupled with softer tire materials, means handling gets a good deal sloppier (though ride comfort is definitely improved, lol). With a directional tire, at least you regain a little of the handling that you have lost (though to be honest, it's pretty minimal), but the bigger difference is that directional tire designs are (usually) better at expelling water/snow/etc. when compared to a non-directional tire, giving you greater overall traction.

 

Avoid discount brands, particularly Sailun. They may perform well when brand new, but they wear both quickly and unevenly. Two tire shops have told me they won't carry them in the future because of negative customer feedback.

 

I have Blizzaks as well and they make a world of difference. Best money Ive spent honestly for a mod, my car has no problem even in pretty deep & unplowed snow. I have them on my stock wheels so tire size Im running is 225/40/18

 

stock size Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D XLs on my stock enkeis are badass. snowpocalypse was no problem with them on. they performed well when it wasn't frozen, too. very nice tires.

 

I have always used Blizzak's. I'm on my second set for this car and I feel that they pay for themselves as soon as I see another car stuck in a ditch. I have them on my stock wheels and they are 215/45/18.

 

have always had blizzak even on amgs with high torque as daily driver.

 

When I owned my scion I bought blizzaks, it was a huge difference even coming from the Oem all seasons. Last year I bought my ralliart December 3rd, granted it was a very miled winter, but the few times we got snow it was terrifying. I noticed a little help from the AWD but saw no difference Between Tarmac, gravel, and snow modes. My car would slide everywhere, and stoping was downright dangerous.

I just ordered a set if winter wheels and tires off tire rack. Went into discount tire and their cheapest wheel/tire package was like 1200 bucks. And like 400 of it was from the TPMS. Tire rack has packages starting at $600 bucks for wheel tire packages. I opted for just steel wheels with hubcaps on some Firestone winter tires. It was like $695 shipped to my door. I also did not have the TPMS Sensors installed in my new wheels.

The route I went is not the best looking, nor the correct way since I don't have tpms in my wheel. But I was on a budget this times and anything is better then the summer tires. If i had the money I would have just got the blizzacks on my 18's. I believe blizzaks, start at $205 a tire on 18's. Add in the cost of changing out the tires twice a year, plus installing new tpms sensors or moving your existing and it gets up there.

 

I just went to tire rack and bought the cheapest package winter rim/tire.
I have the generals artics. They are very grippy in the cold and winter climates.

 

I'm using a directional Blizzak LM-60s on a 205/60/R16 this year for Chicago snow. I had the stock A10A Yokos on last winter and I will NEVER do that again. I changed those out to stock size Kuhmo Escta X4s and it was a night and day difference. Unfortunately, I've yet to see measurable snow so far on the Blizzaks this year.

Granted, it's the responsibility of the driver to make sure she/he knows the limits of his vehicle in harsh conditions. If you MUST drive on the summers, take it easy and be as safe as you can.

 

Just bought my winter setup off a guy who sold his Ralliart. Got 16" steel wheels with Firestone Winterforce tires in 205/60/16 for $350. Only been used for ~3,000 miles.

But, I couldn't just have steelies, so I went to Home Depot and bought some Rustoleum Blue Metallic spray paint and got to work. Here's the result.



Notice where I got the tire on the first one. Some tape stuck to the wheel coming off and took some paint off with it... so I just sprayed over it real quick. lol They're winter wheels, so who cares.

 

Running Falken Eurowinter HS439 205/55/17. Pretty cheap and very decent on the dry. Did it's job during the snow days but, regardless they are all pretty similar unless you get something like Performance Snow tires.

 

Firestone winterforce 205/65/16

Not studded.
Nuff said.

~Mad Max

 

You can find some cheap 16in wheel 5x114 and get some Firestone Winterforce tires for around 340 new. Then get them mounted and balance or order a set from Tire Rack.