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Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:19 am

Are there snow tires readily available for standard metric 15'' sizes?

They dont salt the roads out here and the wife drives the 68 all year so I figured... Since I got these extra wheels...

Studs are not needed but some nice sipened softy's would be nice for 3 mos. out of the year.

anyone?

:?: :?: :?:

Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:40 am

Cooper made regular snow tires a few years ago, can't say for certain now. But your local tire dealer should be able to help you if they know anything about tires. You may have to go to an old, long established dealer to get the facts. Sorry I can't be of more help. Good Luck!

Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:20 pm

Bridgestone sells Blizacks in 195x65x15. I just put a set on my squareback and am waiting for some snow & ice to see how they do.

Max

Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:19 pm

Are you lowered at all?

I'm down a click (outer) and worried about clearance, did you notice any more or less room in the wheel well with these?

Thanks,

Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:32 pm

I just put some all season Coopers on my water pumper. We will see how they work.
I could have gotten Cooper snow tires, but was warned that they did not hold up wear wise, on the gravel roads that I drive.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:09 pm

red_6 wrote: Are you lowered at all?

I'm down a click (outer) and worried about clearance, did you notice any more or less room in the wheel well with these?

Thanks,
No, not lowered. I'll see about getting a picture next time I get home before dark.

Max

Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:02 pm

OK, I might be a little nose-low. I should fix that.

Max

Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:53 pm

Yep,
I am running some Nokian Hakkapeliitta 195/60 R15 studded on my 72 SB. Bought em on craigslist cheap. using stock rims that I bought for winter driving.
Lowered 2 clicks in front and 2 clicks in rear and no rubbin.

Call the local tire shop. You can get studless too.

Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:37 am

These are Nokian Hekkepelitta 185/50/15 snow tires on my 69 square (all around on the white square). Lowered quite a bit with rolled/bulged fenders. Slight rubbing at full lock. I do not remember what tires I had on the black fat chick square, but I know it did well (traction-wise) in deep winter in Colorado.

Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:45 am

eviljedi25 - those Riviera's ?

Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:06 am

Yes. 4.5"ft. 5.5" Rear.

Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:05 am

also be sure and tell your tire guy what kind of driving you do. there are different tires for different road conditions, like hard pack snow, powder, ice, snow over ice, slush, etc, and some tires perform better.
and the statement about snow tires not lasting long is very true. most don't make it past more than one winter season if they're kept on the car all season. if you know you're not going to be driving on snow for a week or so, just run your all season tires and you should be fine.

Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:15 pm

Not to completely negate the previous post, but I've run the exact same Hekkepelitas snow tires, in south Texas no less, for the last four years with barely noticeable wear on them. They actually perform very well on dry pavement, the tread pattern looks good, and on my daily driver (true daily...fossilized french fries under the seats and all).
Maybe the mitigating factor is alignment?

Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:28 pm

most of my experience comes from Bridgestone Blizzaks, which are soft. not saying all winter tires are super soft, and i'm sure durometer of the rubber has a lot to do with it. and alignment issues will show in other ways also, and usually not by evenly wearing a tire

Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:41 pm

'tis true. If they are wearing evenly, then alignment is likely not the cause. I've no experience with the Blizzaks so I have no frame of reference. I've used other brands of all-season tires, with lower profiles in all cases, with great wear life. Most all-season tires I've come across do have harder compounds.