Going to need new tires soon and I want some opinions to current tires out there. Currently have Dunlop a602. What is a good equivalent tire that will be in the northeast and will see snow. Is there a replacement model for the Dunlop a602? How are the Bridgestones? Any info or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

The replacements for the D60A2's are the SP Sport A2's. Beefier corner blocks, assymetrical tread design, directional. Not bad tires, I replaced the D60A2's I had on my car with the SP Sports and to say the least, they didn't get worse.

I'd say the Bridgestone Potenza S03 Pole Positions, but the smallest tire size they have are 15's. If you are still on the stock 14's, they won't work.

I hear good things about the Yokohama AVS ES100's. Good luck in your search.

Did you think the D60A2s were good in snow? I didn't think they were too good when I lived in NY. That opinion was confirmed when they were tested in snow by Consumer Reports. A big black circle representing worse than average was next to them. But they are good enough in the dry to overcome that and still get good ratings.

But after looking at the Tire Rack web site, it appears that the Sport A2s fair much better with customers in snow. That would make them better than the old D60s. Price is still very low too.

My other problem with the D60s was that I wore all 4 to the wear bars after <20K miles twice. When Dunlop gave me my 3rd set (this time the Sport A2s) at half price, they cut me off. No more treadwear warranty. It is their perogitive. That's fine since I run Azenis in the summer now.

Gene

Never had a chance to drive the D60's on my SE-R in the snow. When I had D60's on my 240 though, that was just hell on Earth. It didn't help that it was a torquey RWD car either....

On the 240, they lasted about 30,000 miles. My brother (who had the car after me) and I liked to take turns very hard though :P

I only had the D60's on the SE-R for 5,000 miles when I sold the stock rims and those tires. Haven't driven my SE-R with the SP sports in the snow either...

The Bridgestone 950s just got some good feedback on the mail list.

>The Bridgestone Potenza RE950 in 185/60/14 H are some of the best tires Ive

>Dry traction is much much much better than those P4000's or even the D60's
> that were on the car when I bought it.

>I think they're a very nice tire for sporty-feeling everyday driving if you want an all-season tire.

>I was ahppy enough with my old
> D60s but they get rather noisy when
> they get past 50% wear. These are
> quieter. I have 30k on them so far
> and it looks like I should get 60k
> or so out of the RE905s also.

i think the 950s are the replacement for the potenza 930s. i just got the 930s from costco, to me they feel stickier than the 950s, although the 950s should probably last longer(treadwear 420 vs 300 on the 930)

never tried dunlops

Thanks for the feedback. As of now I am deciding between the Potenza's 950, the dunlop sport a2's , and the kumho ectsa h4's that are shown in the best sellers on tire rack. I am probably most concerned about how the handling is in the snow. I am still running the oem size wheel. More opinions would help in the decision. Thanks.

Also for the Dunlops:
Treadwear: 420
Traction: AA
Temp: A

Out of the choices you listed, se-r dood, the Dunlop is the only one with AA for Traction. Traction rating indicates wet cornering ability. Unfortunately, nobody is able to vouch for its snow handling. . .yet.

Yea that was me posting about them on the list. I love the re-950's. I say get them. For the price they are hard to beat.... me at work gota go do some work right now.

Well, a 4 season tire isn't going to be nearly as good as a Winter tire for snow. But, Grassroots Motorsports did have some Kumho ECSTA 716 HP4s on a car that drove in the snow in the mid-west somewhere and they reported no problems.

My gf has some on her Altima and they are quiet, fine in the rain handle decently, and were CHEAP. I may get some for my 14s for general daily driving duty whenever my Unirocks wear out.

Edit: Just realized I hadn't made clear what tire I was talking about.

I say go with the kumho ecsta 712's. I used to have the sp sport a2's, but i prefer the kumho's in both wet and dry conditions. Havent had a chance to try them in the snow yet though. Tirerack has em for about 60 a piece, and they have a 380 treadwear rating on w rated tires.

Originally posted by NismoNx2000
I say go with the kumho ecsta 712's. I used to have the sp sport a2's, but i prefer the kumho's in both wet and dry conditions. Havent had a chance to try them in the snow yet though.

Well then, pack a shovel and some cab fare. 712's are well know as a DEADLY tire in the snow. My neoghbor has them on his A4 Quattro, and even with the all wheel drive, it's nearly undriveable. Do some reasearch, I guarantee you'll find many other people with the same opinion.

Chris

Originally posted by chriscar
Well then, pack a shovel and some cab fare. 712's are well know as a DEADLY tire in the snow. My neoghbor has them on his A4 Quattro, and even with the all wheel drive, it's nearly undriveable. Do some reasearch, I guarantee you'll find many other people with the same opinion.

Chris

OK TERRIFIC!!! Well then, i guess i best wrap my tires in chains this winter....:D Thanks for the heads up about the death trap factor of these tires. Just wonderful!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Be carefull.

Chris

This is great. As of now I will pretty much narrowed it down to the Dunlops or the re950's. Thanks keep them coming.

Yeah. 712s are hopeless in the snow. I'd vote for the 716 HP4 as the best bang for the buck all season tire. They're even H-rated.

Are there better tires? Sure. But for ~$140 total, I can get FOUR good all season tires.

Yokohama AVS Intermediates are on clearance at the Tire Rack for $42 each (185/60/14). I love mine.

What about Sumitomo HT4's. I ran them in the winter up here in Michigan and they handled great in the snow. They were a great buy for the price as well.

John

Alright, it's my turn to finally chime in. I have had the Dunlop Sp Sport A2's for almost a year. I have nothing but good things to say about them! I HAVE used them in snow this past winter. And they lived up to the hype. I hit a good storm in NH last January without a problem. Felt completely in control the entire time. For the price and performance you can't go wrong. Picked them up for $50/each at www.discounttiredirect.com

I have had my share of tires.
On my maxima I had the Khumo 712's. I almost died that winter in light snow on a mountain when my car refused to climb any further. Needless to say their exaggerated "great" treadware was cut short from intense peeling out and no traction.
I now have potenza 950s and I have friends who have had them on their rides...they love them. Look at tirerack...they get great reviews. I think they are the best H rated tire out there. Great traction and GREAT in the rain. They arent track tires, but hell they dont work bad. I auto-x with them and they do fine. WOrth the extra money and they wear very slowly. I don't know anyone who liked the dunlop all seasons. But that is just hearsay.