Winter tires - Firestone Winterforce vs Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60

[skholla]

There's no disputing that the Blizzaks are awesome but are they leaps and bounds better than the Winterforces? Anybody have experience with either on their Rogue or other vehicles? I'm looking at a set of 17” tires for my stock alloys, the Blizzaks are just over $600 and the Winterforces are just under $500. Any suggestions?

[blaruffa]

I bought the Firestones last year. I thought they were excellent. I am most likely buying another set for the wife's 2004 Quest this year.

[Nick 568]

I had a set of Firestone Winterforce tires on my truck when I had it. Those tires royally sucked. The only thing that kept me from getting in trouble was the fact that the truck weighed 5600 lbs. Hell, I would even have to put the truck in 4WD to get out of my parking spot on even ground at times. Granted, I know they were truck tires, and the Rogue isn't a truck by any stretch of the imagination, but I would still never buy a set of them.I have Hankook ipike studded tires on my Rogue, and I love them to death. So much control, and do exactly what I want them to, when I want them to.
Modified by Nick 568 at 1:50 PM 9/12/2009

[philipa_240sx]

There's no disputing that the Blizzaks are awesome...

I am not a fan of Blizzak's.

Nokian Hakkapellitta 5 and Toyo Observe are my top picks. There are other good makes as well.

There is a consumer advocacy group in Canada called the Automobile Protection Agency - APA. They review winter tires every year and post thier results. You can find more here:

http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=97

[skholla]

Just got a couple other quotes, the Hankook Winter iPike W409 are also in my price range but according to the APA they arent that great. It looks like the winner is the Yokohama Ice Guard IG20, the reviews are great and I got a wicked quote on them too!

[mrirvine]

anyone have any experience with Gislaved Nord*Frost 5? they are Swedishhttp://www.tiretrends.com/tire...32050

[philipa_240sx]

Just got a couple other quotes, the Hankook Winter iPike W409 are also in my price range but according to the APA they arent that great.

I have the Hankook Dynapro iPike RW07. They are OK winter tires.

- Snow traction is decent- Grip on ice is below average- They sound like a diesel locomotive on the highway... a low pitched thrumming noise.

The Nokian Hakka RSi I used to drive on were much better. Wish I would have went with something else. If I could sell the Hankooks and buy the Nokians without losing my shirt, I would do it.

[philipa_240sx]

anyone have any experience with Gislaved Nord*Frost 5? they are Swedishhttp://www.tiretrends.com/tire...32050

Never driven the Gislaved tires but I have heard many good things about them. They were the recommended snow tire by Volvo for years. IIRC, Volvo dealers were the only place to buy them until recently.

[philipa_240sx]

My dislike for Blizzaks stem from one thing: They don't last. I had a set and only got one decent winter out of them.

For awhile, Bridgestone used a very soft rubber for the first 50% of the tread. The remainder was a much harder compound. Most would wear through the soft layer within 1-2 winters. After that, performance drops off to the point where it's only slightly better than an all season.

By comparison, I usually get 4 winter's worth out of Nokian's. More expensive to start with, but much cheaper in the long run.

[skholla]

ive been reading the same lately, that the blizzaks winter thread wears really fast, maybe 2 winters and then its gone. after that you end up with some all seasons!

the yoko ig20's are supposed to be really good, also i read somewhere that they are a copy of another great winter tire but i dont remember which one, the nokian happ 5's maybe?

the toyo observe g-02's are also top rated just like you mentioned.