Hi there - relatively new to the forum and Canada.
I can guess the forum regarding winter tyres can only heat up as the temperatures cool down, but being a newbie, I have two questions.

1) If I live and drive in the downtown region of Toronto would I need winter tyres?
and
2) Why is all the talk about tyres and rims, surely it would be cheaper just to replace tyres on your existing rims, isn't this liked here? Surely this would save on the expense of an additional set of expensive rims?

D

 

My sales rep. at Audi advised me that the original wheels are treated and do not corrode, and therefore suggested I just buy winter tires and put them on.

However, this means 50 $ each time you change tires, twice a year = 100$

It adds up over time. in 5 years its already 500$

-Then if you get winter wheels, it will save you 2 trips to the garage, and when selling the car, you can negotiate a higher price.

In the end the choice is yours.. I'm not sure which way to go, -leaning on getting winter rims.

 

I purchased a set of 19 inch HTTRS winter rims for from RPI Equipped out of BC. They are a distributor for Actuning. The rims are VERY nice. I just couldnt make the jump from 20 to 18.

 

There is a need for dedicated wheels for winter tires coz alloy wheels don't like frequent disassembly and one could be easily destroyed after couple tries. I've done that and they lasted 5 seasons.....after that basically useless as they didn't hold well. So this time I'm going for dedicated set.

 

I'm trying to decide between Bridgestone Blizzak, Michelin Alpine, or Pirelli .

I spoke to a sales rep from Tire Rack, and he said Blizzak is the better tire for traction & stopping in snow and ice. However, Michelin and Pirelli are better for handling, but okay on ice and snow.

I'm leaning on the Blizzak, however concerned about the ride quality and the tire trend noise.

Any advice, much appreciated.

 

I think you should also consider costs, really depends on how much you'll be driving in the winter and where you'll be driving.

 

I drive mostly highway. I think the sales rep said Blizzak are for city driving, and michelin & Pirelli for highway. Was quoted 866.46$ for the Blizzak and 948.58$ for the Pirelli, it's pretty close.

 

I cant see that you can go wrong with either (I do allot of mountain trips so although not exclusive highway will be almost every weekend in the winter and as previously mentioned have really liked Pirelli's of the past).

Everyone pick up something different and we can do our own comparison in January

 

Canmick..........got Scorpions here and did alot of driving out to K-Country to Snowshoe last winter........on Deerfoot and around Calgary had no problem with road noise etc. Put some pretty quick speeds (140 plus) on them as well and handle just fine so you are correct they are built for our more cross driving experience here and around Calgary.........Blizzaks more sticky for sole Urban driving

 

I ordered a 2011 Q5, should arrive in December. I am also in Toronto and was thinking of getting Pirelli Scorpions as well (had them before on a BMW 3 series and they were great). Could you also PM on the Toronto store.

Thanks