Latest Tyre Reviews test All Weather tyres

[Kalle.J]

It definitely isn't in the budget for everyone to have a second set of tires, just for the winter. So A/W tires are a good option, and definitely a step up from all season (jack of all trades, master of none) tires.

That is false economy. Two sets will last much longer, summers/all-seasons should have better MPG then CC2 and be much cheaper.
All-weathers have definitely taken a leap forward in performance, but I don't think they will ever truly catch up to dedicated hot/cold setups if you choose carefully with mid/budget in mind.
The start cost is a set of 4 used rims.

The issue is mostly practical with storage and hassle of actually changing wheels.

 

[BHopkins]

That is false economy. Two sets will last much longer, summers/all-seasons should have better MPG then CC2 and be much cheaper.
All-weathers have definitely taken a leap forward in performance, but I don't think they will ever truly catch up to dedicated hot/cold setups if you choose carefully with mid/budget in mind.
The start cost is a set of 4 used rims.

The issue is mostly practical with storage and hassle of actually changing wheels.

I agree with you. Over time, the expense of owning a winter set of winter wheels/tires, and and a summer set of wheels/tires, proves to be more economical than buying into expensive all-weather tires, that tend to be pricey, and have a short tread life. And, when you sell a car, you can typically recover a good share of the cost, by selling the second set of wheels.

But, as you point out, that initial purchase, of not only a second set of wheels, but also TPMS sensors, and purchasing a quality set of winter tires, all typically within only a few months of the purchase of a car, can be a real financial burden on many. Not everyone can afford that initial expense, even if it does mean that they won't be buying tires for a longer period of time, than they normally would with only one set of tires.

 

[Kalle.J]

I agree with you. Over time, the expense of owning a winter set of winter wheels/tires, and and a summer set of wheels/tires, proves to be more economical than buying into expensive all-weather tires, that tend to be pricey, and have a short tread life. And, when you sell a car, you can typically recover a good share of the cost, by selling the second set of wheels.

But, as you point out, that initial purchase, of not only a second set of wheels, but also TPMS sensors, and purchasing a quality set of winter tires, all typically within only a few months of the purchase of a car, can be a real financial burden on many. Not everyone can afford that initial expense, even if it does mean that they won't be buying tires for a longer period of time, than they normally would with only one set of tires.

I don't have TPMS on either set.
Recently got a portable battery air-pump though. The fuel stations are out of order to often.
EU Made winters in 215/55r17 72USD per corner. Actually subsidiary of Michelin, CC2 are atleast twice that if not more

 

[LDB]

That is false economy. Two sets will last much longer, summers/all-seasons should have better MPG then CC2 and be much cheaper.
All-weathers have definitely taken a leap forward in performance, but I don't think they will ever truly catch up to dedicated hot/cold setups if you choose carefully with mid/budget in mind.
The start cost is a set of 4 used rims.

The issue is mostly practical with storage and hassle of actually changing wheels.

That's all true for those already owning the two sets. The original statement is definitely true also, it isn't in the budget for some (many?) to have two sets as a paycheck to paycheck system doesn't allow buying 4 wheels and 4 tires and mounting/balancing/etc. whether wanted or not.

 

[edyvw]

Compared to the OEM tires and the majority of the entrants CC2 is down mileage.

One is free to pick any tradeoff they would like.

Many that dont track this tire elsewhere may not know this is one of said tradeoffs.

Point being for what it cost me to run them for 3 years at 15K a year I can buy a second set of tires.

1. Of course.
2. Absolutely. You can buy for example, Sentry tires several times. However, I was always wondering how that ROI works with performance. Like what is number worth your neck? CC2 is absolutely the best-performing AW tire (and I will play this game, as I think anything but snow tire is just pointless, other than few exceptions in some climates) so I am wondering how that bang for a buck works? Like other tire get 2mpg more, but it has a longer braking distance. How do you decide that 2mpg is worth more over 10ft in braking distance in the wet?
Oh yeah, let;s not forget that Michelin keeps that initial performance longest.

 

[edyvw]

That's all true for those already owning the two sets. The original statement is definitely true also, it isn't in the budget for some (many?) to have two sets as a paycheck to paycheck system doesn't allow buying 4 wheels and 4 tires and mounting/balancing/etc. whether wanted or not.

Of course it does. You buy used OE wheels on Facebook etc. I bought for every car used wheels (OE always) for winter set.
I just got in November for Sequoia wheels for $200.
Also, driving is a privilege not a right. We had numerous issues with people this winter not having appropriate tires on I70. Currently, one hour of I70 closure in the mountains costs around $2mil. So, people want to ski, but buying appropriate tires? Well, paycheck to paycheck.....

 

[LDB]

No, it doesn't. Some people aren't skiing. Or vacationing. Or anything elsing. They are living paycheck to paycheck and don't have an extra $200 for a set of wheels even if they want them. If you don't know about that you are blessed. But they are out there. So for some it was a fair and accurate statement, you wish to argue and deny it not withstanding.

 

[edyvw]

No, it doesn't. Some people aren't skiing. Or vacationing. Or anything elsing. They are living paycheck to paycheck and don't have an extra $200 for a set of wheels even if they want them. If you don't know about that you are blessed. But they are out there. So for some it was a fair and accurate statement, you wish to argue and deny it not withstanding.

There are always “some.” You can apply that theory then to brakes, registration, insurance, etc. You don’t have to tell me about the struggle. I lived 3 years without electricity, waited 8 hours for a few cans of humanitarian aid, and walked 40 miles to buy a 100 lb bag of flour for a decent price and not $300. So spare me from that paycheck-to-paycheck life. This is US, the most powerful country, the biggest economy etc. etc. etc. etc. There are always those who struggle. However, on this thread, everyone can afford two sets, yet here we are, projecting, using hypothetical "others" to justify our choices. I don't have two sets of tires, I have nine sets of tires. I have two sets for each car plus a track set. Me, my wife, we don't make more than average middle-class people in this country. But I do prioritize because, believe it or not, I love my kids more than eating out several times a month. Go out and eat; the check is equal to one top-notch snow tire. Add $20 and you can buy a used set of OE wheels on Facebook.

 

[LDB]

I agree many people prioritize poorly, if at all. I just wanted to acknowledge there are some people who would want a second set but due to circumstances can't obtain it. And others who should have it rather than having 7 streaming services and the latest phone.

 

[edyvw]

I agree many people prioritize poorly, if at all. I just wanted to acknowledge there are some people who would want a second set but due to circumstances can't obtain it. And others who should have it rather than having 7 streaming services and the latest phone.

I am one of the first ones here who will say there are those who cannot do that, who have to skip maybe registration this week bcs. circumstances etc, etc. However, that is in this country a minority, a huge minority. Now, we can go into various reasons why those that could, don't do it, and I see that among my friends, co-workers, where buying cheapest tire is always go to choice, but same people drive $80,000 vehicles, drop OE wheels for uber expensive aftermarket, turn their vehicles into militarized version of them, and yet, it is always cheapest set of tires on the wheels.
As for I70, there are no excuses. It is privilege to drive, and main reason for issues are truckers that are lazy to put chains and people driving on crappy or not adequate tires.

 

[Patman]

That is false economy. Two sets will last much longer, summers/all-seasons should have better MPG then CC2 and be much cheaper.
All-weathers have definitely taken a leap forward in performance, but I don't think they will ever truly catch up to dedicated hot/cold setups if you choose carefully with mid/budget in mind.
The start cost is a set of 4 used rims.

The issue is mostly practical with storage and hassle of actually changing wheels.

For me it makes a lot of sense running all weather tires on my Civic because we generally don’t get crazy snow in the winter (except this year!) and I live in an apartment and my underground locker has no room for extra wheels. And my last set of all weather tires lasted me 102,000 km! I am not concerned with the slight loss of dry performance since this isn’t a car that I ever push hard in the corners anyway. And I also look at it this way, today’s all weather tires are very likely to outperform a dedicated winter tire that was designed 10-15 years ago and the technology is getting even better.
I actually went from a set of Kumho winter tires to a set of Sailun all weather tires on my last Civic and I honestly didn’t feel like I was losing anything in the stability in the snow between those two particular tires.

 

[UncleDave]

1. Of course.
2. Absolutely. You can buy for example, Sentry tires several times. However, I was always wondering how that ROI works with performance. Like what is number worth your neck? CC2 is absolutely the best-performing AW tire (and I will play this game, as I think anything but snow tire is just pointless, other than few exceptions in some climates) so I am wondering how that bang for a buck works? Like other tire get 2mpg more, but it has a longer braking distance. How do you decide that 2mpg is worth more over 10ft in braking distance in the wet?
Oh yeah, let;s not forget that Michelin keeps that initial performance longest.

Thats really the question - one all rounder set vs dedicated seasonal tires.

For what it costs to drive year round on these for 3 years I can buy a separate set of dedicated snow tires.

How do you decide to give up that 10 feet of braking on ice in the winter on an all season vs dedicated snow tire?

 

[edyvw]

Thats really the question - one all rounder set vs dedicated seasonal tires.

For what it costs to drive year round on these for 3 years I can buy a separate set of dedicated snow tires.

How do you decide to give up that 10 feet of braking on ice in the winter on an all season vs dedicated snow tire?

I don’t give up. I have snow tires on all three vehicles.

 

[UncleDave]

I don’t give up. I have snow tires on all three vehicles.

Do you have a summer set for all three as well?

 

[John105]

I think I still prefer full blown summers or high performance all seasons, and winter tires. I don't feel a luxury car needs a summer tire, so that's why I think a Pilot Sport AS4 is great for regular types of cars during spring summer and fall. There's a trade off so as mentioned wet should be better with the AS than all weather. I haven't lost any sleep that CR rates them as poor. Remember, this is an old magazine that said there's nothing sporty about the new 2015 GTI.

 

[John105]

You can't eat a cake and still have it.

You most certainly can in Edina, MN.

 

[edyvw]

Do you have a summer set for all three as well?

Of course. Plus track set for BMW.

 

[John105]

Of course. Plus track set for BMW.

I really think part of the allure is avoiding wheel swaps. Once a person is open to that, it's like anything else, they'd have the correct product for the application. No different than wearing a different shoe on a different day.....

 

[UncleDave]

Of course. Plus track set for BMW.

That seems the smarter move if you can store the wheel tire combos.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Really can’t compare longer braking distances of winters vs all seasons unless you live in Finland and it stays snowy all winter. Sure winters will outbrake all seasons on ice and snow, but the reverse happens when the snow and ice melt and it’s 40 degrees out.