1. should i buy winter tires? i live on the west coast of canada and snow isn't too common - but it happens occasionally. will winter tires work better than all seasons in rain?

2. how much should i pay for a good set of tires? should i buy 2 or all 4?

3. how much would it cost to mount the new tires onto my stock steeel rims and then have them switched back after winter? (i have a '99 that came with hubcaps no matter what model).

is it worth it to get winter tires?

thanks!

p.s. don't flame the newbie

 

Do you go to Whistler a lot? With the amount of snow that Vancouver gets, go with all seasons and stay home like everyone else when it snows if you don't want to deal with icy roads

In my experience, a good all season tire will work better in the rain than a winter tire. A winter tire is designed primarily for snow and ice, not for wet and dry roads. The winter tires that I have on my VW are not very secure on wet roads, but they are awesome in the snow. For Vancouver, I would probably go with a high performance all season tire so I wouldn't need to have the hassle of changing tires and rims by the season, plus still have a lot of fun in the dry conditions.

Anyway, just my opinion. Of course, I seem like the only person on this forum who hasn't bought winter tires for my P5 yet and us Calgary folks seem to be about the only ones who have had any ice and snow to deal with. The SP5000Ms that come on the P5 do a pretty good job in the snow and ice, especially considering they are a low profile V rated tire. Plus they are very smooth and quiet.

Dale.

 

Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing. I have an MP3 with 17" rims and Z rated tires...they're great so far, but I don't know If I should drop $500 on new ones...15" rims with tires...for the winter. It snows here every year, but not much...Plus, I don't wanna spend $500 to make my car look ugly. On the other hand, not spending the $500 on good winter tires can make me crash and make it look REALLY ugly!

 

Well.. if it snows very little, just drive slowly.

It really depends on how icy and deep the snow gets. If it is light and infrequent, I'd stay with all-seasons. I think you have to worry more about other cars hitting you, which winter tires won't help much.

I'm in Vancouver, and we don't get much snow in the city. Last year just sucked for snow =(. But this year has been better (on the local mountains that is).

I bought Pirelli Winter 210 SnowSports (H rated) 195/55R15 on CRV steel wheels. I don't know about the wheels though. I tried them on and they seem to fit fine.

I looked on a chart on their wall and the universal wheel part # for the CRV, 626 and MX-6 match. I heard that the 626 and MX-6 15" wheels will fit our Pros.
*SHRUG*

 

If I were in Vancouver, and being a skier, let me tell I would put winter tires all the way. What's the point of staying home during a snow storm !!!! Get a harder , longer lasting compound winter tire like I got , Nokian Hakkapelita 1 - 185/64R14 with rims. Don't get Blizzaks !!!!! They'll melt in the city.
Don't forget, you'll benefit form your summer Dunlops for twice as long because you'll be switching between 2 sets fo tires.

 

I'm in Vancouver as well and I'm also a skier.

I was thinking of getting Michelin Arctic Alpin 195/60R15 or 195/55R15. Is there any benefit apart from looks in getting the 55s over the 60s (the 60s are a little cheaper)?

If my math is right the diameter of both is less than the stock 195/50R16.