Winter tire dilemma...
12-31-08, 09:54 AM
#1
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Winter tire dilemma...
Ok folks,
I'm going to toss this question out to see what kind of response I get. I am currently waiting for my alloy wheels to arrive so in the meantime I have a winter tire dilemma for my Lexus ES 330...
I purchased a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 tires in the 215 55 17 size from Tirerack recently (got an aweseome deal & yes they still had some available)....I have heard excellent things about this tire even though technically they are the last generation Blizzak's (replaced by the WS-60 as most know).
My problem is they are 'Q' speed rated and have heard they are quite squishy in the handling department and for whatever reason that is bothering me as a bit disconcerting (no I'm not peeling around corners in the middle of a blizzard - is that even possible lol? - ...or anything like that.....just normal every day driving).
I'm considering selling them (they have never been mounted & still have the factory stickers on them) & instead getting a set of Toyo Garit KX in the same 215 55 17 size which are 'H' speed rated & are still available. Which is the better winter tire?
Any advice or suggestions one way or the other on this? Thanks.
I'm going to toss this question out to see what kind of response I get. I am currently waiting for my alloy wheels to arrive so in the meantime I have a winter tire dilemma for my Lexus ES 330...
I purchased a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 tires in the 215 55 17 size from Tirerack recently (got an aweseome deal & yes they still had some available)....I have heard excellent things about this tire even though technically they are the last generation Blizzak's (replaced by the WS-60 as most know).
My problem is they are 'Q' speed rated and have heard they are quite squishy in the handling department and for whatever reason that is bothering me as a bit disconcerting (no I'm not peeling around corners in the middle of a blizzard - is that even possible lol? - ...or anything like that.....just normal every day driving).
I'm considering selling them (they have never been mounted & still have the factory stickers on them) & instead getting a set of Toyo Garit KX in the same 215 55 17 size which are 'H' speed rated & are still available. Which is the better winter tire?
Any advice or suggestions one way or the other on this? Thanks.
12-31-08, 10:21 AM
#2
For winter driving only, it shouldn't matter the speed rating...
Q is 99 mph rating...
Typically, winter tires just feel more squishy as they have more cuts and sipes and a significantly softer tread compound... the reason Bridgestone only gives a Q rating isn't because of sidewall compound, it's because the super soft tread compound will overheat if driven about that speed for periods of time
Chances are you could go to the Toyo and get a little better handling performance, but reduced snow performance...
Q is 99 mph rating...
Typically, winter tires just feel more squishy as they have more cuts and sipes and a significantly softer tread compound... the reason Bridgestone only gives a Q rating isn't because of sidewall compound, it's because the super soft tread compound will overheat if driven about that speed for periods of time
Chances are you could go to the Toyo and get a little better handling performance, but reduced snow performance...
12-31-08, 11:49 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
For winter driving only, it shouldn't matter the speed rating...
Q is 99 mph rating...
Typically, winter tires just feel more squishy as they have more cuts and sipes and a significantly softer tread compound... the reason Bridgestone only gives a Q rating isn't because of sidewall compound, it's because the super soft tread compound will overheat if driven about that speed for periods of time
Chances are you could go to the Toyo and get a little better handling performance, but reduced snow performance...
Q is 99 mph rating...
Typically, winter tires just feel more squishy as they have more cuts and sipes and a significantly softer tread compound... the reason Bridgestone only gives a Q rating isn't because of sidewall compound, it's because the super soft tread compound will overheat if driven about that speed for periods of time
Chances are you could go to the Toyo and get a little better handling performance, but reduced snow performance...
Yeah, I'm trying to weigh the pro's & con's of possibly moving to the Toyo's...sounds like I should just hang onto the WS-50's & enjoy?
I appreciate your reply mitsuguy.
01-08-09, 07:09 AM
#4
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I have had Toyo's on our ES300 and Blizzaks on several cars. The rubber compound is softer for the first half of the tread life. It's just part of winter driving.
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