Studded vs. Stud-less Tires experience/reco? Nokian...

[GritsNGravy]

Replacing my Blizzaks and going back to Nokian (had on an old Jeep). For relatively the same price, I can get the studded Hakka 9 or stud-less Hakka R3.

Anyone had experience with either or can make recommendations on which is better for Northeast/CT and random trips to vermont weather conditions?

Are studded louder still, worse when no snow/ice, capable of going 70-100 MPH?

I drive an F80 M3 (2018), have the 20" 666M wheels, but probably putting these on my 19" Varrstoen ES-2 19” wheels (believe the backs are .5 inches taller than the 66M wheels.

Is there a huge difference in using the 19” wheels over the 20” wheels? If not, I would prefer to keep the 20” ones over winter…

I want the safest tire possible with my current wheel options, not necessarily worried about wear and tear or price, just what is the best option for both and that I feel confident driving up to Vermont in.

Welcome any and all help fellas!

[Tommy L Garage]

I went for a ride once in studded tires and it was so damn loud.
For the northeast you’re better off with regular winter tires. Studded are good for icy conditions - we don’t get many of those here.

19s would be more forgiving but 18s are the way to go. Cheaper and the ride will be so nice.

[Maxf80M3]

Originally Posted by GritsNGravy

Replacing my Blizzaks and going back to Nokian (had on an old Jeep). For relatively the same price, I can get the studded Hakka 9 or stud-less Hakka R3.

Anyone had experience with either or can make recommendations on which is better for Northeast/CT and random trips to vermont weather conditions?

Are studded louder still, worse when no snow/ice, capable of going 70-100 MPH?

I drive an F80 M3 (2018), have the 20" 666M wheels, but probably putting these on my 19" Varrstoen ES-2 19” wheels (believe the backs are .5 inches taller than the 66M wheels.

Is there a huge difference in using the 19” wheels over the 20” wheels? If not, I would prefer to keep the 20” ones over winter…

I want the safest tire possible with my current wheel options, not necessarily worried about wear and tear or price, just what is the best option for both and that I feel confident driving up to Vermont in.

Welcome any and all help fellas!

I'm running studless Hakka 9 on 19" stock 437. I'm completely amazed. No worries about getting stuck I highly recommend them

[bagekko]

My buddy was looking at an M3 the other day and it came with a set of studded winter tires, and I was shocked who would use studded tires on an M3.

Nokians are great, have them for my X5 and have had many sets in the past, too soft and expensive for my driving habits. My HP cars toast winters in 2 seasons and I dont think I could get Nokians to last 2 seasons the way I drive.

[R3dliner]

My second season running Hap R2's and i'm amazed at this tire. IMO better than blizzaks.
Running 245 all around on a 18 in rim. I would not put winters on 20's.

[MrSmartyPants]

Studs only help in ice. For CT, no real need for studs (IMO).

Regular snows should be more than adequate. Anything Nokian is great.

[GritsNGravy]

Wow, thank you, everyone, for your responses, very much appreciated!

Has anyone had any experience with the Michelin Xice xi3's? I read some forums and reviews and they seem pretty dam close to the Nokian R3s and with more sizes available. Like seen in this test/comparison article: https://alltyretests.com/nokian-hakk...3-test-review/

On the Nokian front... Seems a good option either way, so I was set on going with the studded 9's just to be safe, they are only $27 extra per tire. Unfortunately, sizing seems to be a concern which may leave me with just R3 to choose from or depending on your guidance studded only on the 19's...

Can anyone weigh in on how aspect ratio can affect the car and driving and what is safe to extend up or down too? I see the R3's in the exact size I need on 19" but the studded hakka 9's only have the same exact front size and the back off a little (see below). Would any for the rear be safe? Would I then need to change the front size? As a side note, I believe my Blizzak tires on my 19's were a little larger when i ordered to try and provide some buffer for any scuffing in off chance...

Size of blizzaks on 19"s currently: 255/35/19 & 275/35/19
Available sizes on Hakka 9's:
- 19” available – 255/35R19 96T XL and 255/40 and 255/45
- 20” available – 255/35R20 97T XL and 275/35R20 102T XL

R3 has the exact same size as my current 19" blizzaks, but also has some sizes in 20" which maybe could work for my 20" 666M's - again not sure if aspect ration or first # size can safely be adjusted up or down?
Currently on my 20" wheels - Mich Pilot Sport 4S - Size 265/30ZR20 & 285/30ZR20
Available sizes for R3 20": 255/35R20 97T XL and 275/35R20 and 285/40R20 108R XL

Thanks again everyone!

//S

[HoldenMI]

I've had both the Nokians and the Michelins. I think the Michelins are at least as capable in the snow, are quieter and last longer. I got a set of 18 inch wheels for winter with 245/45-18 X-ice i3's and they do very well in Michigan winters.

[bagekko]

I dont care what anyone says, nothing else you can buy in the US is close to Nokians.

I might of had an X-Ice set 15 years ago, basically see them as a non performance version of the PA's.

If you want the best snow tire you can have for winter, its Nokian, the R models are more for performance cars. Yeah they dont have all sizes in all models, I got a new set of rims for my 540 cause they didnt make the R2 in my 15" size. Its easier with a square setup, staggered tough to get the right sizes I have found.

If you want a great performance winter tire but dont need the best snow capability then Sottozero or PA3.

Originally Posted by GritsNGravy

Wow, thank you, everyone, for your responses, very much appreciated!

Has anyone had any experience with the Michelin Xice xi3's? I read some forums and reviews and they seem pretty dam close to the Nokian R3s and with more sizes available. Like seen in this test/comparison article: https://alltyretests.com/nokian-hakk...3-test-review/

[GritsNGravy]

Thanks HoldenMI and bagekko.

So I certainly want the best winter tire possible this time around, as I was not impressed by my Blizzaks. So will stick with Nokian.

That said, if I wanted to stick with my current 19" or 20" wheels, with the sizes I mentioned, any recommendations or thoughts? If possible, I would prefer to do the studded Hakka 9's in either 19" or 20" but the rear would have a different aspect ratio...

I really don't know how aspect ratio affects things, and online articles were not very helpful. So appreciate anything else you can or others can share/weigh in

[GritsNGravy]

and i hear those people on the studded being overkill in CT, but I really want to make sure I am on best possible tire for the 3-4 weekends i go to Vermont to snowboard and can't drive my wifes X5. Hence my question on aspect ratio and making the studded Hakka 9's work with my setups.

Looking forward to anyones input

[MrSmartyPants]

Originally Posted by GritsNGravy

and i hear those people on the studded being overkill in CT, but I really want to make sure I am on best possible tire for the 3-4 weekends i go to Vermont to snowboard and can't drive my wifes X5. Hence my question on aspect ratio and making the studded Hakka 9's work with my setups.

Looking forward to anyones input

I've lived in VT. Still don't think the studs are necessary for what you want or need. Unless you're planning some ice racing...

[GritsNGravy]

Thanks Mrsmartypants - great to hear with someone who has direct VT experience. Was only trying to be extra safe, as I had a bad experience last year in my 2011 E93 that had the Blizzaks on, started sliding - tried to correct and just went sideways sliding down the VT-30 hill into a barrier. But then again, it was storming, well below freezing and like a hockey rink (I couldn't even stand when I got out of my car without slipping). So I guess I can just chalk that up to what the police said - I was one of several accidents and the plow never came through to salt etc...

So sounds like the consensus is the Hakka R3's.

Still curious however on the aspect ratio stuff, in the off-chance I could use my 666M wheels (love their look so much better than my 19's...). But its sounding like the 19's are a better fit and option for reliability...

[Maxf80M3]

Originally Posted by GritsNGravy

Wow, thank you, everyone, for your responses, very much appreciated!

Has anyone had any experience with the Michelin Xice xi3's? I read some forums and reviews and they seem pretty dam close to the Nokian R3s and with more sizes available. Like seen in this test/comparison article: https://alltyretests.com/nokian-hakk...3-test-review/

On the Nokian front... Seems a good option either way, so I was set on going with the studded 9's just to be safe, they are only $27 extra per tire. Unfortunately, sizing seems to be a concern which may leave me with just R3 to choose from or depending on your guidance studded only on the 19's...

Can anyone weigh in on how aspect ratio can affect the car and driving and what is safe to extend up or down too? I see the R3's in the exact size I need on 19" but the studded hakka 9's only have the same exact front size and the back off a little (see below). Would any for the rear be safe? Would I then need to change the front size? As a side note, I believe my Blizzak tires on my 19's were a little larger when i ordered to try and provide some buffer for any scuffing in off chance...

Size of blizzaks on 19"s currently: 255/35/19 & 275/35/19
Available sizes on Hakka 9's:
- 19" available – 255/35R19 96T XL and 255/40 and 255/45
- 20" available – 255/35R20 97T XL and 275/35R20 102T XL

R3 has the exact same size as my current 19" blizzaks, but also has some sizes in 20" which maybe could work for my 20" 666M's - again not sure if aspect ration or first # size can safely be adjusted up or down?
Currently on my 20" wheels - Mich Pilot Sport 4S - Size 265/30ZR20 & 285/30ZR20
Available sizes for R3 20": 255/35R20 97T XL and 275/35R20 and 285/40R20 108R XL

Thanks again everyone!

//S

I'm running a 255/35/19 front
255/40/19 rear in the Hakka 9

Looks good, the 40 series rear makes the stretch look much less. I not comfortable stretching a 255/35 on a 10" rim .

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

My second season running Hap R2's and i'm amazed at this tire. IMO better than blizzaks.
Running 245 all around on a 18 in rim. I would not put winters on 20's.

Why I put winters on 20s.

[9M71]

I had rented a car with studded tires for a week overseas and holy crap, was it loud and annoying but necessary since the conditions called for it.

if you are concerned about only a few days a year, how about portable cable tire chains?

[brian30tw]

I switched to Nokian R3s this winter as well. I'm running 245/45/18 up front and 255/45/18 in the rear.

We haven't had any snow in Chicago yet to test them, but so far I appreciate that they are much quieter than my old Blizzak LM-32s in the cold and dry.

[DocOct]

I had the studded 19 inch Nokians on my M4 before I sold it last year. Boy, those tires were monsters in snow storms and in situations with ice. Not once did I get stuck in three Canadian winters. The trade off was the noise. I am now in non studded on my new ride and I don't miss the sounds as they were LOUD! Now, if I bought that vehicle again, I would definitely go for the studded and wouldn't even look elsewhere.

[GritsNGravy]

Thanks for all the comments all. Any of those measurements I mentioned for the studded tires safe to put on the wheels/car given aspect ratio is off ?

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

Why I put winters on 20s.

Skinnier tires and thinner rims work the best in snow.

[GritsNGravy]

Originally Posted by Maxf80M3

I'm running a 255/35/19 front
255/40/19 rear in the Hakka 9

Looks good, the 40 series rear makes the stretch look much less. I not comfortable stretching a 255/35 on a 10" rim .

Hey MaxF80, you said you put the 255/40/19 on the rear - what size wheels do you have? Wondering if you made what I am trying to do work with the rear...

The 255/35 will fit my front perfect, same size currently on there, those fronts are 19x9.5 ET+20 - Not entirely sure, but since my setup is staggered I believe the backs are an inch taller at 19x10.5 ET+22 (currently have 275/35-19 on them)...

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Skinnier tires and thinner rims work the best in snow.

Yes maybe slightly but then when in the dry and wet you sacrifice grip and lack of traction. not worth it imo.