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Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:16 am

Thinking about getting Nokian tires. Looking for someone who has purchased them before to give me some feedback. They are quite expensive and I don't want to make a poor choice.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:55 am

here are 1.5 observations on Nokians

I have had two sets of Nokian WRs on my Subaru - got 35-40k out of each set. Fantasic in the snow. Quiet on the street.

That led me to pursue a set for my Syncro. But awhile back I couldn't find a set in a reasonable size for my 15" wheels. The only one Nokian that seemed would work was a 215/75/15 Vattiva. I checked some out - similar to a BFG TA/KO - a bit milder tread, but with more siping. BFGs suck on hard pack snow and ice (IMHO from two sets on my Toyota - not a Syncro for sure) Figured these would be better for all the winter mountain travel I do. They have been good - in the snow and quiet on the pavement...but I will be lucky if I get 15,000 miles out of them.

Now they have a WR Cargo in a 225/70/15 that I'm considering - these have a 112 load index. I would rather not have them so wide, but I can tolerate the extra height now that I did the Subie swap.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:14 am

nokian Hakkapeliittas are the best winter tires i have ever had. i had them on a 86 golf back in 1991 and other vws for about 4 winters. vw and porsche magazine had an article on winter tires and sold me on them. and yes i need a set for my 94 golf,vanagon and the astro van. but i'm broke as hell :cry:

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:16 am

HAkka CS, I have them, they rule, search my used name and CS and you will find lots I have written about them. I should get 60k out of them.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:27 am

I've got Nokian Hakkapeliitta CS 195R14 (on my stock 14" wheels), and I am very much in love with them. I've had them for about a year and about 15K miles, and I see absolutely no wear on them at all.
The few times it's snowed around here, I've driven more than usual, just because I can. I anxiously await the next snow or ice storm just so I can take them out to strut their stuff.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:42 am

Go to the search box in the upper left hand corner of this screen. Type in "nokian" and hit the search button. You will be rewarded with lots of opinions from vanagon drivers, all positive. I think everyone who's tried them has reported that they're great snow tires.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:04 am

This will be my 2nd season with the Nokian Hakka SC's on my 2wd 87GL. I went with the 195/70/15 size and love them. Very predictable in the snow and excellent stability overall due to the high load rating. A bit pricey, but you get what you pay for here. I can't imagine how good they'll be on a syncro!

Ken.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:06 am

Nokian doesn't make the only snow tires in the world. I've used Bridgestone snow tires for many years. Blizzaks and Winter Duelers work amazingly well and are less expensive. BS Blizzaks on my Passat too.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:21 pm

Quote: Nokian doesn't make the only snow tires in the world. I've used Bridgestone snow tires for many years. Blizzaks and Winter Duelers work amazingly well and are less expensive. BS Blizzaks on my Passat too.

True, there's lots of good winter tires out there, but only if you upgrade to 15" or larger diameter rims. For those of us who stick with stock rims--or get a free set of stock steel 14" rims off craigslist (that's what I did to mount winter tires)--Nokian is the only tire company I can find that makes a variety of excellent, dedicated snow tires in a 14" diameter that ALSO meet or exceed the load rating for 14" vanagon rims AND have reinforced sidewalls. The overall effect is good traction in the snow, plus really good handling in all conditions. The Nokians are a great all-around package, well worth the extra few hundred bucks to "have it all" in one set of tires.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:55 pm

funagon wrote:
True, there's lots of good winter tires out there, but only if you upgrade to 15" or larger diameter rims. For those of us who stick with stock rims--or get a free set of stock steel 14" rims off craigslist (that's what I did to mount winter tires)--Nokian is the only tire company I can find that makes a variety of excellent, dedicated snow tires in a 14" diameter that ALSO meet or exceed the load rating for 14" vanagon rims AND have reinforced sidewalls. The overall effect is good traction in the snow, plus really good handling in all conditions. The Nokians are a great all-around package, well worth the extra few hundred bucks to "have it all" in one set of tires.

You're correct, I was unaware that BS had discontinued the W965 in Vanagon size. For that matter, seems like every tire company has. Makes one wonder about the folks running tire companies!

Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:35 pm

Compared to many other snow tires Nokians are more quiet, grip ice better, cut through snow better, retain studs longer, and last longer.

I have lived in Alaska for 39 years, for over 30 of them I have been a licensed driver. Twenty five of those years have been spent working in the automobile industry. I have yet to try a snow tire that works better than Nokians. We have two Syncro's, one a Westy, and a Passat 4motion wagon, they all have Nokians. I have driven with them on FWD, RWD, AWD, and 4WD vehicles. They make a very nice bicycle tire too. Bear in mind that we use studded tires here which are illegal in many States. I know people here that swear by their studless tires, Blizzaks, Alpins, etc, I have driven on them and would rather spend the money on Nokians. The only downside to Nokians for us is the vendor, but that is not the tires fault.

This is a subjective issue and your experience may vary, but for my family we use Nokians.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:58 pm

Just got a price on two Nokian CQ's in a 185R14. $86 each installed, about half of what a mail order though a national chain would have been.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:05 pm

Wildthings wrote: Just got a price on two Nokian CQ's in a 185R14. $86 each installed, about half of what a mail order though a national chain would have been.

Two? Vans have four wheels. :wink: Seriously...for snow driving you need forward motion AND steering. Be safe, do all four wheels. :)

Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:03 pm

Wildthings wrote: Just got a price on two Nokian CQ's in a 185R14. $86 each installed, about half of what a mail order though a national chain would have been.

WHERE?????????

Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:29 pm

Rhinoculips wrote: Wildthings wrote: Just got a price on two Nokian CQ's in a 185R14. $86 each installed, about half of what a mail order though a national chain would have been.

WHERE?????????

Just a small local shop in New York where my kids go to school. I have found these little shops to be very competitive.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:42 pm

I have used Blizzaks for years in New England winters...
they are fantastic in the snow, but I wouldn't want to use them on dry pavement.

The advantage I see to the Nokians (besides the variety of sizes) is the ability to use them year-round.

Anyone use the new Nokian WR-G2 tire?
Before I went with some Agilis', this was my other choice, but I've never seen one in person.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:41 pm

westyventures wrote: Wildthings wrote: Just got a price on two Nokian CQ's in a 185R14. $86 each installed, about half of what a mail order though a national chain would have been.

Two? Vans have four wheels. :wink: Seriously...for snow driving you need forward motion AND steering. Be safe, do all four wheels. :)

YEs, accidents always happen because people can't stop or turn.

Thats what really kills me about 4wd owners, "I don't need snow tires I have 4wd." Wrong, 4wd doesn't help you stop or turn better. %90 of vehicles I see in the ditch are 4wd, overconfident drivers all hopped up on SUV commercials? You betcha.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:52 pm

i am on a very tight budget right now :cry: i live in va and would like to to find the best deal on 4 195/60/14 nokian Hakkapeliittas. who has the best prices? what are you folks paying? specifically just for the tires themselves.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:58 pm

Quote: BoneStock67 Posted: Today 10:27 am Post subject:

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I've got Nokian Hakkapeliitta CS 195R14 (on my stock 14" wheels), and I am very much in love with them.

What he said.

I've got these too and they are an excellent choice for the Vanagon. Money well spent.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:05 pm

jackbombay wrote: Thats what really kills me about 4wd owners, "I don't need snow tires I have 4wd." Wrong, 4wd doesn't help you stop or turn better. %90 of vehicles I see in the ditch are 4wd, overconfident drivers all hopped up on SUV commercials? You betcha.

Well said, well said indeed!
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