Tire Selection Issue

Electrah wrote: ↑ Looking at 205/55/16 on Costco site for tires on a Corolla Sedan. This is primarily for my decision with the current Costco promotion.

Michelin - X-Ice Xi3 options I am being provided are XL (which is not needed) and one that runs flat (which I heard are bad?)

Bridgestone - BLIZZAK LM-25 RFT - any opinions on this tire? - they are definitely the most expensive out of the others. Problem is this also runs flat
Bridgestone - BLIZZAK WS90 - no issues, but worry here is tread wear which I know is supposed to be better now since its new, but its unproven. Looking for something that will last longer.

Any thoughts?

Run flat tires are usually quite expensive, don't wear that well , grip less well, and ride harsher that a comparable regular tire. You'd only be interested in them if that is what came stock from the factory and the car doesn't have room for a temp spare and jack.

Bridgestone WS90 just came out and it's their latest and greatest . I'd go with them . An XL tire is for extra load like a small Trucks/SUVs, so its going to ride rougher than a regular tire

If you are in the GTA, theres still scattered stock at CT of the Continental Winter Contact Si at $114 a tire . Its discontinued: 006-2318-2
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/tires/pd ... 62318.html
https://stocktrack.ca/?s=ct&q=006-2318-2
8 in stock at Yonge/ Steeles at $114 ea

Also in Hot Deals is the Hankook iPike at $85 a tire
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/tires/pd ... 62219.html
https://stocktrack.ca/?s=ct&q=006-2219-8
4 in stock at Liesle/ Lakeshore

jackrabbit000 wrote: ↑I bought the Blizzack WS 60 back in 2006 for my then brand new Honda Odyssey and they still have lots of tread on them to go another winter or two. And everywhere you read or hear says that they wear out fast. Next winter tire I buy will be another set of a Blizzacks.

l69norm wrote: ↑ Run flat tires are usually quite expensive, don't wear that well , grip less well, and ride harsher that a comparable regular tire. You'd only be interested in them if that is what came stock from the factory and the car doesn't have room for a temp spare and jack.

Bridgestone WS90 just came out and it's their latest and greatest . I'd go with them . An XL tire is for extra load like a small Trucks/SUVs, so its going to ride rougher than a regular tire

If you are in the GTA, theres still scattered stock at CT of the Continental Winter Contact Si at $114 a tire . Its discontinued: 006-2318-2
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/tires/pd ... 62318.html
https://stocktrack.ca/?s=ct&q=006-2318-2
8 in stock at Yonge/ Steeles at $114 ea

Also in Hot Deals is the Hankook iPike at $85 a tire
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/tires/pd ... 62219.html
https://stocktrack.ca/?s=ct&q=006-2219-8
4 in stock at Liesle/ Lakeshore

Thanks for the feedback, its appreciated more than you know. I went with the WS90s over the Michelin, which I hope to last me 5 years (I only drive 10-12k km/year, and less in the winter so prob would only rack up $5k each winter season).

I would chose either the X-Ice Xi3 or WS-90. Can't go wrong with either one.

Personally, I have WS-80's. This will be my 4th winter on them. I'm at 8/32nd's tread depth out of 11/32nds from when they were new. I think about 15,000 km on them. I'll gladly buy another set of Blizzaks when I need new winter tires.

Those X-Ice in 205/55R16 are only available in XL load rating, so it's not like you're missing out on the "ideal" tire. They probably do that so that they can fit more cars with one tire, rather than making multiple load ratings in the same size. This consolidates/reduces/simplifies their product lineup. I have XL rated all-season tires. I believe XL rated tires have a stiffer sidewall to give the increased load rating, but I can't tell any difference in the ride quality.

I had Blizzaks on my old car. They lasted quite some time. The tread was really soft which gies you grip but I can see concerns for wear. I went with Michelin XI-3 this time around and performance wise, they are similar. Don't think you can go wrong with either.

Havo wrote: ↑ I had Blizzaks on my old car. They lasted quite some time. The tread was really soft which gies you grip but I can see concerns for wear. I went with Michelin XI-3 this time around and performance wise, they are similar. Don't think you can go wrong with either.

How many km's did it last? WS90 is supposed to last longer and is cheaper vs Michelin so starting to not regret buying it at all.

Electrah wrote: ↑ How many km's did it last? WS90 is supposed to last longer and is cheaper vs Michelin so starting to not regret buying it at all.

I got about 5 winters on them before I started to notice the grooves fading. On average, I'd say about 7-8,000km per winter. Lasted about 7 before I got rid of them.