A bunch of us in the Minneapolis area have been mounting Continental Conti-Extreme tires on our stock Enkei wheels with the intention of buying summer wheels/tires next spring.

This weekend are having our first real taste of winter, and all I can say is that the Continentals are awful in the snow, just awful. There is only an inch max on the ground, but I was all over the place when I went out on a quick drive.

this leaves me with 2 questions:
1) any suggestions for winter tires that don't suck?
2) what are the chances I can exchange these tires @ discount tire?

thanks

Many people thought the Pirelli 210 in the stock size would be a decent snow tire for the EVO on the stock 17x8 wheels without completely sacrificing dry handling like some other snow tires do...

I went with the Yokohama F721 on 7inch wheels, but haven't got them mounted on the car yet...

www.discounttiredirect.com has Enkei RS5 7 inch wheels for less than $150 that will fit the EVO. Mounting some serious 215/50 series snow tires like the Yokos or Blizzaks on them should give you about the best snow handling the EVO is generally capable of, but it will defintely come at the expense of dry road cornering...

I do think narrower winter specific 215/50 series tires on a 7inch wheel should be a huge help on snow over 235/45 all seasons.

I haven't had to drive yet in the snow with the EVO, I wonder if putting some weight over the rear wheels will help with traction issues?

Yokohama's woudl be great choice. IF you want the ultimate, AVS Winter is available. I checked a couple weeks ago and my supplier had 5 sets left. $200 ea. But the best. Let me know.

I hear that Nokian Hakkapletta's(spelling?) are excellent in the snow. There was a vendor selling them on this site, check out the vendor forum.

I really liked my blizzak Lm-22's on my is300. worked really well. I kept the tires for my evo, but I need some narrower rims.

my michelin Alpines stick like glue, but the were about 200 per tire

I just got a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3 's. I havent mounted them yet but they do have a mean *** tread pattern. It looks like they will tear up some snow. I will let you know after I mount them.

BTW they are 225/50/17

For once I have something to contribute! As lead instructor at the Nations only Ice Driving/Racing School I am lucky enough to test almost every winter tire each year. We do a 5-day scientific study in which the tire sidewalls are scraped smooth to avoid bias.

For all-out ice and snow grip the Blizzak WS-50 wins, closely followed by the Michelin Alpine. The Blizzak has better grip all around while the Alpine nearly matches numbers in acceleration and braking. Several new tires are coming out with the sponge-like tread material that makes the Blizzak and Alpine so good. And, of course, both of these tires have dry-weather tread squirm like you read about.

For a good compromise the Bridgestone LM-22 gives good feedback on snow and decent grip while maintaining tread life and "responsiveness" in the dry. Michelin does make a good compromise tire as well, the Pilot Alpin. Unfortunately, with tires, you get what you pay for...so pony up!

Have fun on the ice--

I also went with the tire wheel package that SpikeLS1 went with. I was torn with going with Haka 2's on the 7" Enkei wheels, but the Haka 2's only come in a 225/45 17. I think putting the Conti's on the stock wheel is fine but 235 is way too wide for the snow. I just ordered my package on Friday so don't have them on the car yet. I live in Milwaukee so I will get plenty of use from them.

I personally think that the Nokian Haka's are the best snow tires available since I have had Blizzak's, Winter Sports and many others and they don't compare. Blizzaks only have the compound the first 65% of the tread and the rest is all season compound which I think is weak. When I buy a winter tire I want it all the winter compound.

The Haka 2's are now available unstudded for 2003. The Yoka 721's have the compound the whole depth of tread and do come in the 215/50 size. We'll see if I like them. After having Haka 1's on my S4 I am biased and have a very high expectations for snow tires.

ya sure it wasnt ice? Because I heard good things about those same tires...

thanks for the input guys... I am going to contact my local discount tire (where I bought the tires) and see if they will help me out.

I don't think there was any ice out.... we haven't had any significant snow this year till today, so there shouldn't have been any acculation. But, before I take this any further, I am going to find a nice empty packing lot and do some more testing.... informative & fun!

Yeah, I also have read nothing but positive review on the Contis which is why I bought them. I am going to talk to my bud Mike (erioshi here) and see how he is doing on his Contis.

trigeek37, I drove around today in my Evo with the Yoko AVS Winters and they did great.

FYI, i just got home from driving out all night! i was testing the drivability of the stock tires on the evos, and here's my conclusion...

unless you're gonna drive REALLY REALLY slow, don't do it! there was a geo metro that out cornered me! i was going only about 10 mph, trying to do a 90 degree right turn, but i kept going straight. there wasn't even 2 inches of snow, but it was an inch of PACKED snow, which is totally differedt, comparable to ice. i'm gonna have to get some snow tires as to hearing that you're not having much fun with them contis. i HAVE heard that the wintersport m3s are as good as they get... but then again that's nearing 180 a wheel, or so. maybe i'll stop by discount tire in st. paul and check prices in a few hours... thanks for your input on the contis. by the way, is mike's evo up and going?

Sup Guys... this is Yosmiley... Deza's brother. I'm over at my parents home and posting under his nick.

I have the Conti on my STi and it performs, Well, it's not the best or the worst but I won't get another set again. With the slippery road I don't expect it to grip like a summer tire. For now, it's ok for my usage.

Last night I made a run at a local High School parking lot... wow... circles after circles...

I'll post more review as the snow thicken.

Vic