I just snagged from Craigslist a set of 17" wheels with Blizzaks on them with only 3,500 miles on the set for the ATS for only $425. Will be interesting seeing how the RWD performs with decent snows. I have Altimax Arctics on the BMW - combined with the AWD that car can go through most anything.
I'll be putting on the General Altimax Arctics that have gone on the wife's 3 for the last few years. They're unkillable. Too bad the car is still mediocre in the snow due to the light weight over the drive wheels and the traction (out of) control. The Frontier will need a decent set of A/T's to get through the winter. Been thinking the Cooper Discoverer AT/3. I've gotten almost 50k out of the stock tires, not bad IMO. The Mini will have to soldier on with the crappy all seasons that are on it right now. It will not likely see much, if any, snow.
I've run General Altimax Arctics for years. Probably gone through 3-4 different sets on various WRX/STI, MQB cars, always happy with them. I did get a used set of wheels with Michelin XI3's and they're pretty okay for my current MK7. Pretty ok in dry weather but I found they didn't do great compared to the Altimax on a prior Mk7 GTI.
I've got Altimax Arctics for both the Focus and BRZ. The Fit uses all-seasons all-season and does OK. I think the X-Ice 2's I had before the Generals had the edge on actual ice but both tires are excellent in the snow.
I purchased a set of X-Ice for my old Audi A6 years ago and had great tire life - over 8 winters - and still only half worn when I sold the car with 144,000 miles on it. Super traction on Ice - Packed Snow - and every day cold weather wet driving in Seattle. Took a trip in CA national parks in December and never got stuck. So when I got my Alltrack SEL - I saved the 17 inch wheels from my Buyback TDI - and bought another set of Michelin X-Ice to fit the 17's and though only driven one winter I think they are great. They are not noisy and a great ride - better then the Conti's on 18 inch Wheels actually.
I own a rwd lowered coupe, drove it all winter last year and bought Michelin x ice tires, had no issues. As long as you're a decent winter driver and have good winter tires you'll be fine.
Definitely winters for a RWD, I had a RWD 335i with X-Ice 3 and I never had an issue with tires. The only problem I had with snow was my car basically plowing the streets because it was so low.
I would suggest Michelin Defenders, my JSW had them on for 35,000 miles and look great when I traded the car back to VW.
Bought Michellin Pilot Sport 4s for my 06 2.3L (figured why not spend a bit more because you don't really buy tyres often)
I'm very happy with them so far.
I'm running 235 Michelin PS2's on my Jetta VRT w/ 17x8 ASA AR1's. I've been spinning like mad in 1st and 2nd at only 10 psi lately, but it's been in the 30's for forever. 3rd has been gripping perfect at 18 psi though.
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