RotaryZZ

It is about time to replace my OEM RE040 after some 22k miles on it. Since the winter is coming to the NJ area, I'm thinking of buying a set of all season tires to try and yet I don't want to spend too much. On top of my list now are Kumho Escta ASX, Yokohama AVID W4S and Falken ZE-912. Basically something in the below-$140 price range. And I would certainly appreciate any recommendations other than the one I listed above.

TIA
Pete

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

It is my firm recommendation that all seasons will not be optimal in NE winters.

All season tires are a huge compromise.. in other words they are moderately (i use that term lightly) useful in dry and light wet conditions but definitely not snow.

04RX8man

yeah all seasons are not meant for NE winters they DO NOT get around I did it for about 3 months of 2 winters ago.....but for tires the BFG G-Force KDW II's are good but i think they are like 170 a piece...also the NITTO 555 extreme ZR's but those are not meant for snow as is the Falken 452's.....

VampireSix

Um, the BFG G-Force KDW II's are summer tires. I have a set of those, and they don't go anywhere in even light snow. I had to buy a separate set of winter tires (Dunlop WinterSport M3, I think), and just switch them out every November/March.

Like others have said, all-seasons are the worst of both worlds. Don't do it!

NotAPreppie

I just had a set of Nokian WRG2's (225/50/17) installed and hey, look, we have snow today and tomorrow. When I get home from my TG travels this evening I'll try them out and report back.

RotaryZZ

Nokian WRG2's 。。。。Hmmm interesting, I've never heard of this brand before. Where is it made in and where did you bought them. And of course how much are each?

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I may not live in the NE, but we get our share of snow. I have been using Pirelli PZero Nero M&S tires for a couple of years now. They have got me by, but I can not recommend them as one of the better all-season tires for snow. They are great in the dry and don't get hard once the temps go down.
I just installed Continental ContiExtremeContact that I got from the TireRack for $133 each. Had them shipped to a authorized local installer. Their tests say that it should be a good tire. I also like the Goodyear F1 all-season. They seem to have a stiff sidewall.

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

I have had toyo proxes 4 since last fall. Last winter they went through snow and slush. Slush it did fine in, but i had problems in a couple inches of snow with turning and starting from a stop/going up a hill. I still have them on and will be trying them out with sand bags, lol. As for them in the summer, they were really good.

NotAPreppie

I don't know where they are made but Nokian is a company known for making really good snow tires.

Here is the product page for the WRG2.

IIRC, Nokian doesn't officially allow it's retailers to sell online (or maybe it was not listing prices) so there are few online retailers that advertise them. If you look at the above website you can find a dealer locator. I got mine for $830 mounted and balanced from Suburban Tire in Berwyn, IL (Near-west suburb of Chicago). A little pricey but I'm likely to be driving in the unpredictable winter and I wanted a tire that I could use year-round (after the disaster that is the Falken Ziex ZE-512). The WRG2's aren't a dedicated snow tire but are purported to be much better in snow than most of what is labeled "all-season". We'll find out, I guess.

fastlaneracing

Nokian is a great winter tire.

Funny thing its the same company that makes cellphones, Nokia.

Nokia has alot of companys and make different stuff.

Another great winter tire is Gislaved Nordfrost.

NotAPreppie

The snow didn't start accumulating until well past my bed time last night so I wasn't able to test them out on the new snow. I have an errand or two to run this evening so I'll see if I can find any parking lots with snow or slush to test on.

Never L8

iTrader: (5)

Of your choices, I have experience with only the Kuhmo ECSTA ASX tires. I had them on my Evo. Taking into account the fact that it was AWD, the tires still performed well above my expectations. Now, the arguement still stands by many that Ultra-High Performance All Season Tires are okay at some things but not great at anything. That being said, I really can't agree in my own experience. I found the Kuhmos to perform to my expectations in dry conditions, with just a little loss of performance over the super sticky stock Yokohoma Advans that came on the car (trying say "super sticky stock" when you're smashed!). In snow, I found them more than adequate. You will still loose traction. Let's keep in mind that these are "Ultra-High Performance All Seasons" and not committed snow tires. I found ride quality and tire wear to be excellent. I was so impressed that I have a set on the way for my RX-8, wrapped around some new wheels. So, I would highly recommend them as long as you understand that they will not perform as good as true snow tires. That being said, they do perform well enough to get you around, while maintaining the ability to break traction for when an empty parking lot calls and you have to answer with some mad drifting action!

fastlaneracing

Nokian is made in Finland next to Sweden.

Tayninh

I just bought ALL Seasons Pole Position and they are totally out for driving in the snow even brand new. Good for the dry or wet pavement but not the snow. So now I have to save for steel wheels and snow tires. However, the car sits in the garage when one flake falls until I can put safer tires on it.

VampireSix

'nuff said.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Then you need to learn car control. My RX8 is a daily driver and have had 2 different brands of all-season tires on the car over the 4 winters. I have never had a problem with snow.

NotAPreppie

I finally had a few opportunities to take the '8 out in the snow with the WRG2's.

They are much quieter than the Falken 512's were at 5/32nds.
Comfort is about the same. Traction is much better in wet and standing water conditions. I didn't get anywhere near the limit dry (I refuse to willingly do that on public roads, that's why I autocross) but there was no odd behavior or unexpected events.

Snow traction is nothing short of amazing compared the any tire I've ever used before (Falken 512, Kumho HP4 716, some random Coopers on my '88 Ford Aerostar). I can't speak to snow performance relative to actual snow tires but in powder and hard packed snow felt secure and controllable. I had to drive in a fairly unsafe manner (in the parking lot of a closed Target) to really get the car to slide or spin.

Considering these tires are marketed as usable year-round, I'm impressed. We'll see how long they last in the summer.

jmc23200

I have the OEM tires right now. I live in Boston. There has been some light snow and some ice. IDK about you guys, but sliding around is freakin fun. Ive been doing it intentionally. I am getting ContiExtremeContacts later this week. If you see a Black RX8 sliding around in Boston, Make sure to waive.

VampireSix

It's fun until you hit something, or someone else. Or your caught in some real snow and can't go anywhere.