Winter Tires and Wheels Recommendations

[psygieda]

Well it is that time of the year here in Chicago, when you start thinking of winter, and with that tires and wheels.
Was wondering if any of you out there have some specific tire/wheel recommendations. I checked with Tire Rack there are dozens of packages however, it is always better to hear it from someone that already had them on their MK6 or MK7 already.
Thanks in advance.

 

[RPS99SHO]

I had General Altimax Artics on my MK6. Great tire, just received a set of 21/55/16 on steelers for my MK7.

 

[amullo]

I wrote up a little something about wintertires after spending 25+ years driving in the north of Sweden. At 63 degrees lat, we are north of Ancorage, Alaska. But in reality our winter conditions can be transfered to Maine, Northern Illinios or the southern states of Canada (Spent 3 years in Montreal)

We got our Mk7 last autumn and it performed flawlessly during its first winter.

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2625

 

[psygieda]

Thank you Amullo, that is some seriously good explanation on winter tires. Will follow your logic and get some good rubber. Thanks

 

[amullo]

Thank you Amullo, that is some seriously good explanation on winter tires. Will follow your logic and get some good rubber. Thanks

No problem! I just hope some of the things I´ve learned can be useful.
Chicago and Stockholm arent that diffrent weatherwise... If I was you, Id look at Nokian Hakapeliitta R2 like we have on ours or maybe Michelin X-ice.
Stay away from Firestone, Cooper and maybe even Bridgestone tires. Gislaved, Nokian and Michellin aswell as Continental always win the winter tiretests I see.

The same manufacturer may also produce two diffrent tires.
One for nordic conditions (For when there is snow and ice on the ground constantly)
One for "Continental" or warm winter climates that see more rain and sleet then actaul snowstorms and blizzrads.
Choose accordingly. More info on that in the other thread.

 

[VMRWheels1]

If anyone's interested in a discount winter wheel/tire package please check out this thread, $210 off select winter setups!