reyoasian

iTrader: (2)

Got my new IS250 AWD (CANADIAN) just this summer in August. I am hearing that it does really bad in snow with the stock all-seasons.
I live in Toronto, and I will be driving a lot of highway back-and-forth to Waterloo for school (on weekends)

I've been shopping around for decent snow tires and have come down to a few things that I would like some advices on:

**btw, I'm keeping my stock 17" rims because of the TPM's, so I'm only replacing snow tires of size 225/45/17**
**these prices do not include installation and are in CAD**

Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3:
these are "recommended" tires for my car by both Costco and Lexus, but it's very expensive
- $168.29 each ..... $999.33 for 4 including tax & shipping (from TireRack.com)
- $191.43 each ..... $946.62 for 4 including tax & shipping (from DiscountTireDirect.com)
- $295.00 each ..... $1333.40 for 4 including tax (from Lexus)

Michelin X-ICE:
Costco says this tire cannot handle the weight of my car, so it will wear out faster... is this true?
- $159.00 each ..... $718.68 for 4 including tax (from CAA Car Care Centre)

Michelin X-ICE Xi2:
these are supposed to be the "best" snow tires out there, but customer reviews on TireRack.com says otherwise
- $156.72 each ..... $943.38 for 4 including tax & shipping (from TireRack.com)
- $243.83 each ..... $1099.07 for 4 including tax (from Costco)

General Altimax Arctic:
these are a lot cheaper, and so far the reviews are all pretty good
- $110.44 each ..... $723.95 for 4 including tax & shipping (from TireRack.com)
- $122.01 each ..... $666.95 for 4 including tax & shipping (from DiscountTireDirect.com)
- $226.22 each ..... $1022.51 for 4 including tax (from Canadian Tire)

Right now I'm really liking the Altimax, but will it handle my car okay? (car too heavy, etc.)
Also, where should I buy my tires? Are TireRack.com and DiscountTireDeposit.com trusted? If I do end up buying online, I don't want to receive a wrong order, or tires that have problems since it's in the States and will be too time-consuming to send back and forth.

Thank you all so much in advance for your opinion and advices!

Sgt_K

Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60's is what I run in the winter in Germany, last year we had about six inches of snow on one of the Autobahns I drive on to get to work, this is not normal for a German road, and the car had no problems. Granted I was going 15mph but everyone else was going only 5mph or they were in the ditch.

acefalcon2

iTrader: (20)

i was thinkking to get the WS-60 as well for my new beemer

Zeus69

iTrader: (1)

This is a link from Tirerack.com of available winter tires (17s) for a 2009 IS250 AWD. I have purchased numerous sets of tires and wheels through them. Excellent customer service - very reliable and prompt.

FWIW, I run Dunlop Winter Sport 3D on my 350 RWD, and they are fantastic...

http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterT...=W&search=true