winter tires; Nokian Haks vs ????
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winter tires; Nokian Haks vs ????
Been happy with Nokian Haks on the 993 and MINI S.
Second set on 993 are 3 years old, 4 years on the MINI.
Tread is still excellent on both cars.
Both seem way loose this winter though, more so than I recall from previous winters.
I like to think we should get up to five years/seasons on these tires before grip decays due to age, but thinking it may be time to replace now.
Haks are expensive.....wondering if others here have thoughts/advice about service life and perhaps better value and performance of other brands?
Thanks,
Gordo
Second set on 993 are 3 years old, 4 years on the MINI.
Tread is still excellent on both cars.
Both seem way loose this winter though, more so than I recall from previous winters.
I like to think we should get up to five years/seasons on these tires before grip decays due to age, but thinking it may be time to replace now.
Haks are expensive.....wondering if others here have thoughts/advice about service life and perhaps better value and performance of other brands?
Thanks,
Gordo
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From: Canada & the Alps
I used Hakkas since the early 90s on quite a few of my cars, but I switched to Hankook i*Pike winter tires and found them to be excellent at a fraction of the price. And they were quite quiet considering what I thought looked like a noisy tread pattern.
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From: USVI
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It's a different world for you guys south of the border! For whatever reason, it's been pretty difficult to get certain sizes even through a tire shop. I found peace with the iPikes (no complaints from the "accounting" department at home either).
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I have tried a number of different winter tire brands. Nokian Hakka 1's, Dunlop 3D, Pirelli, Bridgestone Blizzaks.
The Pirelli's were by far the worst - and the only tire I would recommend AGAINST buying. My memory of the Hakka 1's on my Corrado was what made me go back to Hakka R2's this season on my S4. Haven't really had a chance to test them out to compare to the older Hakka's, but am very curious to see how they perform.
Having said all that, the R2's were 1.5x the cost of my other options. Unless they blow my mind, I will probably return to a more mainstream (ie better value) tire next time around.
The Pirelli's were by far the worst - and the only tire I would recommend AGAINST buying. My memory of the Hakka 1's on my Corrado was what made me go back to Hakka R2's this season on my S4. Haven't really had a chance to test them out to compare to the older Hakka's, but am very curious to see how they perform.
Having said all that, the R2's were 1.5x the cost of my other options. Unless they blow my mind, I will probably return to a more mainstream (ie better value) tire next time around.
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From: USVI
What did you pay and for what size? South of the border it was $269.99 for a 255/40-19.
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From: Canada & the Alps
The one tire I was not very impressed with was the Toyo Observe G02. This is back in 2001 so things may have changed.
I had them on my AWD Honda CR-V and my mom's 2WD Tercel at the time with Hakkas would out-perform it very noticeably. That is when I put Hakkas on the CR-V. I got many years out of them but then switched to the Hankook iPikes that performed just as well.
I had them on my AWD Honda CR-V and my mom's 2WD Tercel at the time with Hakkas would out-perform it very noticeably. That is when I put Hakkas on the CR-V. I got many years out of them but then switched to the Hankook iPikes that performed just as well.
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From: Toronto, Canada
I paid $288ea for 235/40/18 locally. But I usually order tires from TireRack and pick them up on the U.S. Side of the border and bring them across myself. Exchange rate isn't great right now though.
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Bump.
Put Michellin X-Ice on the MINI.
Hard braking on the slick stuff will toss you forward in your seat, nearly like being on dry pavement....don't recall the Haks ever had THAT kind of stopping grip.
Acceleration equally impressive.
Considering same tires on the '95 to replace the Haks which are only 3 seasons old (6k miles +-) and have lost at least 50% of their grip it seems to me.
Gordo
Put Michellin X-Ice on the MINI.
Hard braking on the slick stuff will toss you forward in your seat, nearly like being on dry pavement....don't recall the Haks ever had THAT kind of stopping grip.
Acceleration equally impressive.
Considering same tires on the '95 to replace the Haks which are only 3 seasons old (6k miles +-) and have lost at least 50% of their grip it seems to me.
Gordo
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I have been amazed with the blizzaks. Cannot compare since they are my first set of winter tires on my 4S. But I will share that in the cold and wet weather, the car feels really good and very confident. I have been testing the limits and so far no luck on getting the slightest slide. In light snow and slush, it did very well as well. In the next few weeks i will be able to try snow conditions and report back.
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I have been amazed with the blizzaks. Cannot compare since they are my first set of winter tires on my 4S. But I will share that in the cold and wet weather, the car feels really good and very confident. I have been testing the limits and so far no luck on getting the slightest slide. In light snow and slush, it did very well as well. In the next few weeks i will be able to try snow conditions and report back.
Curious how your tires will perform on the really slick stuff like "polished" snow (ice, really); my 993 with Haks slides and slips, the MINI with Michelns feels like dry pavement....hoping that kind of grip will last for a few more seasons than the Haks have.
Not sure what has caused the fast degradation in the Haks......rubber being 3 years old, perhaps worn edges on the siping.....opinions welcomed!
Gordo
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The big problem I had with the Hakkapellittas is the belts breaking and making them wobbly. Seems to happen to most of them by their 3rd Winter. For studded, General Altimax Arctic were phenomenal and inexpensive. For studless, I think Michelin X-Ice were the best I've ever used, with Blizzaks not far behind.
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The big problem I had with the Hakkapellittas is the belts breaking and making them wobbly. Seems to happen to most of them by their 3rd Winter. For studded, General Altimax Arctic were phenomenal and inexpensive. For studless, I think Michelin X-Ice were the best I've ever used, with Blizzaks not far behind.
As I stated earlier these Haks are about worthless after just 3 seasons.
My Haks prior to this set got wobbly after about 4 years now that you mention it.
Noticed mine are made in Russia.....makes me wonder about their quality control......