heartygrain

Hey all, we just got about two feet of snow here in northeastern massachusetts and this was my first chance to really test the continental winter tires in the snow. For the past 5 winters I ran Blizzak WS-50s on my RX-8 and they were great in the snow, but just ok on the pavement. The Contis, while better on dry pavement, pretty much suck in the snow compared to the Blizzaks. The Blizzaks were great, the only issue I ever had getting anywhere in the snow was when it got deeper than the clearance on the RX-8. Just a little tip for anyone looking for winter tires. Kind of wish I stuck with the Blizzaks.

j67345

yeah, I've got blizzaks & have no complaints with them

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I have the ContiExtremeContact all-season tires. They are doing fine. I have even driven through snow that caused the car to bottom out (I'm not lowered) without a problem. I can even move on pack and ice pretty good.

twelch

I have been running the Toyo Observe Series for years and love them.

When I purchased my 08 8 this fall I picked up a set of Toyo Observe Garit KXs and just love them. It is a particular gas to tell people that your tires have crushed walnut shells in them. They do enhance both traction and durability though.

About a week ago we had a heavy snowfall at about freezing or a degree or two above followed by a very rapid temperature drop to about -20 C (-4 F). It has been that way since. Needless to say the roads are pretty much an icy mess.

We've been also getting 2 to 4 cm (1 to 2 inches) of new snow every night with enough breeze to turn the new snow into a polishing agent for our ice.

The Toyos and the 8 have been fantastic, and our city is fairly hilly.

Thanks to RXClub for all the useful tips and advice regarding winter driving. Turning off the DSC to get going on slippery inclines has proved invaluable.

Other than that, a little intelligence and sanity with respect to speed and smoothness of driving habits has proved that the 8 is an absolutely fine winter automobile.

The only difficulty at all is getting moving on the ice, apart from that once in motion its weight balance is great for corners the ABS kicks in now and then on icy stops but other than that things have been fine.

Cheers and season's greetings.
Troy

jdoo

I got a set of ContiExtremeContact's this year and drove through some moderate snow and ice this week on them. Traction was pretty good and definitely confidence inspiring. Much much better than driving in the snow on the OEM Potenza's

Performance on the dry feels a bit mushy though.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

i have blizzaks, definitely impressed.

as jdoo also said, performance on the dry is something to be desired.