Which tires are best...

[3dogknight]

I'm a potential newbie to the CAM area - I'll be migrating from FL around the first of December. As luck would have it, I'm pretty close to needing new tires, but am unsure what to expect in the Fairfax, VA area in terms of winter weather.

I am currently running BFG KDW2's 255/55/18's all the way around and have over 30K miles logged on them now (a far cry from sub-performing 20K for the first two sets of OEM KDWS). However, the KDW2's are not rated for ice or snow and I'm not sure how much of that I can expect.

Looking forward to hearing how you approach the wnter up here and if you run different tires for winter and summer of if there is a 'haapy medium' that you run year 'round.

I'll also be looking to hook-up for meets and gatherings once we get settled in! Hope you'll have me crashing your party!

Greg

[SWOOSH]

What's up? Well, I have had KDWS' on my vehicle for 21,000 miles. With the snow, I guess it depends on how far you are driving and how much it snows. Last year I drove in the snow (Montgomery County, MD) last year with no problems. I am going to get some Michelin Pilot A/S tires the next time because they are great tires. I had them put on my Mustang 5.0 and SHO, no problems (Of course your driving style matters also).

[SWOOSH]

Also, check out the many threads on tires using the Search option.

[ts-pa]

Nokian Hakkapeliittas on second set of rims work very well for me. I've already passed some struggling FWD & SUV's using them.

[CRUZTAKER]

The biggest issue with the KDW 2 is that they don't make them anymore.

There's one problem solved. ;)

As a snowbird I can attest that no all season tire works well on a Marauder in snow and ice.
Period. End of story.

Two problems solved.;);)

Stay in Florida where it doesn't snow.


That was easy.

Time for a beer.:beer:

[CBT]

The biggest issue with the KDW 2 is that they don't make them anymore.

There's one problem solved. ;)

As a snowbird I can attest that no all season tire works well on a Marauder in snow and ice.
Period. End of story.

Two problems solved.;);)

Stay in Florida where it doesn't snow.


That was easy.

Time for a beer.:beer:
Three of my favorite things; humor, helping someone, and beer!!

[jonroe]

Welcome to the CAM area! I live in Fairfax county. I generally don't worry too much about the snow here. It is very event driven. Some years you almost don't drive in any at all in is so infrequent. Other years you get clobbered by one or two big storms. If you can avoid driving those couple of times, you're alright. And then once in awhile we get several reasonable snows in a year. Again, the total number of days to worry about per year are usually quite few but variable. I have been using the OEM tires and this will be my 4th winter with the MM being my daily driver to get to work. They work okay but I agree that this car probably isn't that great on any tires except real snow tires. My first set of rear OEMs are still on at 42K so I am changing them out for new ones right now before winter. I wouldn't fret too much about the snow up here unless your job requires that you be out in it. Good luck. Jon

[burt ragio]

I run oem tires in the summer and four 16" snows in the winter. You can't compromise safty.

[Bluerauder]

Welcome to the CAM area! I live in Fairfax county. I generally don't worry too much about the snow here. It is very event driven. Some years you almost don't drive in any at all in is so infrequent. Other years you get clobbered by one or two big storms. If you can avoid driving those couple of times, you're alright. And then once in awhile we get several reasonable snows in a year. Again, the total number of days to worry about per year are usually quite few but variable. I have been using the OEM tires and this will be my 4th winter with the MM being my daily driver to get to work. They work okay but I agree that this car probably isn't that great on any tires except real snow tires. My first set of rear OEMs are still on at 42K so I am changing them out for new ones right now before winter. I wouldn't fret too much about the snow up here unless your job requires that you be out in it. Good luck. Jon
Welcome :welcome1: to the CAM area. I agree with Jon. This will be my 5th winter season and I have been using the OEM KDWS the entire time. If it gets too bad, I just stay home. Bad thing about Northern Virginia is all the folks in SUVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles that don't adjust for the weather. They think that they are invincible. Many of them find the ditch on the very first snowstorm when old man winter gives 'em a lesson in physics. Even if I feel confident in snow, there are plenty folks out there who don't and end up rearending cars or sliding through red lights/stop signs. Gotta be careful up here. Best bet is to stay home if you can swing it. :D

[jonroe]

You got it, Charlie! The biggest winter safety problem here are the *********s in the SUVs. You have to watch out for them.

[3dogknight]

Thanks for the great advice (even the humorous :))! I have two weeks to prepare for my move and I am feeling a little better about what to expect and how to get ready.

I'm looking forward to meeting another part of the extended MM family! Like Jon, it looks like we'll be in Fairfax county - at least that is where I will be working. So, I'll keep watching this forum for an opportunity to meet y'all (slang used for effect) in person.

Greg

[FastMerc]

Just check out my gallery. You will see what BFGS did for me in winter,I have 4 snow tires and rims now.I paid a price!

[ts-pa]

From my very first post on mm.net...

I just put on Nokian Hakka 1 225/60R16 on all fours. They grip very well in wet/snow, especially compared to the Eagle LS that were original. They feel a little "mushy" for lack of better terms. They break loose too easily in quick dry road braking; ABS didn't have a chance to activiate. Delayed feeling of steering response. Obviously more tire noise. I probably should have bought the WR version, which appeared to be a less snow, more all weather tread pattern vs. the hakka 1's. I will strictly use these for Dec. - March weather.

Remember, I have a Grand Marquis, I can get away with using the same size on all four wheels. I just used my original rims as my winter setup.

As most Marauder owners here know, you need to keep the size ratio, front to back, the same as original tires. If you don't, the ABS light comes on.

If you do a search for "tire rack" and "winter tires", you should find several threads discussing the purchase of steel rims & tire sizes for their Marauder winter setup.

I personally have found that my beater car (1991 Chevy Lumina, don't laugh, it was free!) is the best winter car. Cheap for parts, old so there is no care of damage. Keeps the salt, cinder, stone damage to my Grand Marquis down to a min.