A question about winter/all season tires.

[dlearl]

So, having moved the SC from Las Vegas to Utah, and possibly on to NY, I'm considering getting some winter tires on the OEM wheels for inclimate weather. Spent a bunch of time surfing for the modern version of some Kelly M&S tires I had on my BMW 2002 that were fantastic in snow, and barely showed wear after 5 winters (and fall and spring) use.

I ended up looking at Discount Tire's website which ended in a call in which the agent told me that most of the tires I was looking at (Dunlop Winter SP Sports, Pirelli P6's, and a Kuomo model) were "T" speed rated and, as such, were inappropriate for the SC, due to the soft sidewall.

Given that I wouldn't be doing the same kind of spirited driving I do with the summer tires, is this really that much of an issue? He seemed to think that the steering would be vague and imprecise, and that handling would be greatly diminished. The problem is, the field of "H" rated tires, which he recommended, is significantly narrower, and more expensive.

[gregwils]

The car is going to feel really different with snows no matter what speed rating you get. The rubber composition is completely different, the tread will have thousands of tiny "sipes" which are small slits that bite on snow. There could be some difference in sidewall stiffness, but it's not like a T tire is going to be dangerous. T rating is 118 mph and H is 130, usually higher speed tires have some sort of cap - nylon etc - to help them hold their shape at high speed, not big differences in sidewalls.

Personally, just get the tire that's in your budget. I think once you see how much salt and other chemicals they throw down on northern roads you aren't going to want to drive your 35 year old car in it anyhow. If that doesn't convince you I can point you to a couple of lengthy rust repair threads (one is a '78) that will.

PS - you MUST run snows on all four wheels and all the same brand!!

[dlearl]

Originally Posted by gregwils

Personally, just get the tire that's in your budget. I think once you see how much salt and other chemicals they throw down on northern roads you aren't going to want to drive your 35 year old car in it anyhow. If that doesn't convince you I can point you to a couple of lengthy rust repair threads (one is a '78) that will.

You don't know the half of it. I want M&S tires to go camping on dirt roads. Think

and



I have a pristine 968 Cab that gets locked in the garage when clouds appear on the horizon.