scott98101

I have narrowed my selection for snow tires to either Nokian Hakkapeliita R2 or Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D. I am moving this week from NYC to Denver and plan frequent weekend trips to Summit County to ski. Has anyone tried these tires? I read the reviews on Tire Rack for the Dunlops and a few blog reports about the Nokians, but it would be helpful to hear comments from fellow forum members. Thanks.
Scott

JBDinTX

I-70 can get tricky. But C-DOT does a pretty good job of keeping the roads clean. I run the blizzak DM-V1. I wish I would have went with more of a winter sport tire. The DM-V1's are a little squarely at interstate speeds. I have heard people rave about the Nokian's

Coolieman1220

I have Winter Sport 4D's on my BMW 335d. They work amazing! So much better than the old 3D. Great traction in snow, especially stopping. I've had two vehicles with 2D's and liked them both. The Q5 has Pirelli Scorpians and they're ok. Could be better IMO. Wish I put the dunlops but IIRC they didn't make the size I needed.

dadizon

1 vote for the Nokians here. Best winter tires I've used, but I can only compare to the blizzaks I've used in the past which was on a RWD car.

ex-quattro PETE

Got the Nokians on wife's Q5. They're fine. I really don't have a good point of reference though. My daily driver is an RWD sedan, and it also does just fine with General Altimax Arctics. Honestly, if the Arctics were available in the sizes we needed for the Q5, I would have just saved the money and gotten them for the Q5 as well.

motoguy128

Good to hear the Altimax's work well. I ordered a set for my RWD 325i. I might get a set for my Wife's Q5. They do make the size....for 18" & 17" wheels. We have a 2.0T Premium, so the 17" will work too.

ex-quattro PETE

I needed size 235/60/18. I don't see that size listed on their website.

AltiMAX? Arctic | General Tire

motoguy128

Nope, you'd have to get a 2nd dedicated set of 17" rims for the "cheaper" tire options. You actually get a smoother ride and better traction with 17's at a slight reduction in dry handling and stability.

ex-quattro PETE

My point was that you said they make them in size 18". I'm saying that they do not.

I already have a second set of rims, they are 18". My summer rims are 19".


The 18s already have plenty of rubber between the rim and the road. Heck, I even find the 19s to be pretty smooth. Not really sure how you get better traction with 17s.

The primary reason to go with 17s is price, and of course that is a very valid reason.

RIAUDI

I have been using studless Ice and snow tire for more than 10 years.
I have had a few sets of Blizzaks including Ws 60 Ws 70 and
DMV 1 on a Vw Touareg . I have also used Michelin x ice and X ice 2's on a Subaru and Vw Jetta and Passat. Last winter I purchased hakkapeliitta r2 suv
for my wife's 2015 Q5 TDI. Simply put they are the best that I have ever owned. They are more fuel efficient than the 19 inch continental all seasons that came on the q5. They are absolutely fantastic in the Icy and snowy conditions that I observed driving north into Northern Vermont, NH, and Quebec last winter.
They are also a very quiet tire in comparison to say the DMV1's that have been on my Touareg for the last 5 winter seasons. I have 4 brand new hakkapeliitta r2 suv in my basement ready to be mounted in December to replace the DMV1's for my Touareg. They are the best no doubt. Nokian invented the snow tire. With that said price can be an issue. I recently took delivery of a 2016 A6 TDI . I purchase used 18 in rims on line and would like to put on hakkapeliitta r2 225/50-18 on this vehicle for winter use.
My breaking point is $100.00 to $ 150.00 more(4 tires $25-$35 per) than the close to equivalent :Michelin XI3 or the new Blizzak WS 80.
If price is not a big concern and the absolute best in winter tire performance is what you want the hakkapeliitta r2 suv or hakkapeliitta r2 in my opinion is what you want. Good Luck