Nokian WR Specific Question(s)

[vtphoto]

Hi all,

 

[To the Point:]

I got a quote from Discount Tire of $764.50 USD for 4 Nokian WR tires (225-60R16), with full road hazard warranty. That works out to $191/tire. They need to be special ordered.

 

Others here have mentioned lower quotes for Nokians from smaller non-chain retailers. Are you getting a road hazard package with those tires? Does anyone know of a national or online retailer that offers Nokians with a road-hazard plan?

 

Also- with a directional thread design, is a 5-tire rotation an option?

 

Finally- what sort of treadlife can I expect with the Nokian WRs? How will it compare to "true snow tires" and "regular" all-season tires?

 

[background:]

I'm basically looking for a winter replacement for my Michelin Hydroedges on my 2000 Outback, which have proved to be extremely poor performers in wet snow... almost as bad as my old Nissan Altima was without snow tires.

(That car was virtually unstoppable WITH blizzaks... back when I was in VT).

 

However, snow tires do not seem economical around here (central IL) with only 25" of snow per year, and a 1 mile "commute" to work. On the other hand, there will be occassions where I will end up driving in snow, likely on 2-3 trips I'd like to make up to "true snow country" (Vermont and the U.P. of Michigan) over the course of the winter... when running the Hydroedges will be rather dangerous.

 

I'd like to find an all-season tire with better snow capabilities to run this winter, then I'll switch back the the Hydros and let them live out their remaining 15-20k mi over the summer, then back to the 'new' all seasons for good.

 

The Nokian WRs seem to fit the bill. I also thought about the Continental ContiExtemes, but read about terrible treadlife (being Performance tires and all).

 

However, if the treadlife of the Nokian WRs is comparable to a 'domestic' Snow Tire... then they might not be worth the money, and 'domestic snows' might actually be the more cost-effective way to go, even though they would likely live out their lives after just one season, since I do drive a lot despite a short commute to work.

 

My reason for contacting Discount Tire was for the road-hazard warranty, which given my luck with tires, has always paid off. In addition, I tend to move around a lot, and Discount Tire has a fair number of locations nation-wide.

 

So that's my tire-purchasing "dilemma" ... trying to decide whether or not to lay down the big bucks for Nokian WRs ... or go with dedicated snows.

 

Any info on cheaper sources for Nokians... with a road hazard plan ... or info on Nokian WR treadlife ... will certainly help me make my decision.

 

Thanks!

-Mike

[Legacy777]

What does the road hazard plan give you? I've never bought a separate road hazard plan.

 

I'd definitely recommend discount because they're everywhere and will repair a tire if needed for free.

 

Not sure if they still make them, but the yokohama guardex's I had when I was in PA were really good....about on par with the blizzacks.

[bfg9k]

Hi all,

 

[To the Point:]

 

Also- with a directional thread design, is a 5-tire rotation an option?

 

Finally- what sort of treadlife can I expect with the Nokian WRs? How will it compare to "true snow tires" and "regular" all-season tires?

 

My Nokian NRW's (the predecessor to the WR, the WR doesn't come in 14") have 7500 miles on them with no noticeable wear. I think they're rated to 50k miles. I only have 4 and just do front/rear rotations. I don't think you can do 5-tire rotations, you'd need 6 due to the directional tread. From what I've read and been told by other WR users, they wear like a regular all-season, not a snow.

 

I'd like to find an all-season tire with better snow capabilities to run this winter, then I'll switch back the the Hydros and let them live out their remaining 15-20k mi over the summer, then back to the 'new' all seasons for good.

 

The Nokian WRs seem to fit the bill. I also thought about the Continental ContiExtemes, but read about terrible treadlife (being Performance tires and all).

 

The WR's make for an excellent snow tire, do terrific in the rain, but they're not a performance tire. As much as I am a fan of Nokian tires, you could probably get away with a less expensive, but still snow-capable, tire since you won't be in the white stuff too often. You might want to check out the Avon M550 all-seasons on Tirerack.com, they're getting good reviews. I use the Avon summer-only tire, the M500 on my Saab and they're terrific.

[edrach]

I had a set of the 14" WRs on my Legacy and I'm over 50K miles on them but they are in dire need of replacement now. I've been fond of them. You might check the Nokian website for alternate dealers in your area; around here Tire Factory is the authorized distributor and Discount doesn't handle them as far as I know. I bought this set of WRs in Canada since they were just across the border and much cheaper. Maybe you can do the same in Mexico.

 

Another thought...why are you going with 225 width; that's overly wide for the rims as well as narrower is better with a snow tire?

[vtphoto]

Well, I checked with Tire Factory (MI-based), and they quoted $142 each for the WRs, with free shipping, and no sales tax (being I'm not in MI). Also offered a Road Hazard plan for 14% extra. Apparently the plan has a network of 23,000 retailers nationwide... but how many would actually stock Nokians? Not sure if that is worth getting the plan.

 

However... and forgive my ignorance if this is totally off the wall... can't one do a 5-tire rotation with directional treads assuming the tires are dismounted from the rims?

 

Again... pardon my ignorance... but a steel rim on a full-size spare can be mounted on either side of the car, right?

 

I'm requesting 225 width since that is the size the car came with. The WRs won't be strictly winter tires for me in the end, they'll end up being permament all-seasons, but I'll put the Hydroedges back on this summer just to let them live out their lives.

 

-Mike

[rweddy]

Great tire, this is the only true all weather tire in the world. This is the only all-season tire with the snow flake symbol. I would get a set if I did not drive 30,000 miles a year and already have a set of dedicated studs.

 

You might also check tire rack?

[edrach]

Regarding my 50K WRs: I got 50K out of them and they are still usable, but getting replaced this month. I only had four and only rotated front to rear about every 5K. I never had need for the spare and would have used the undersize spare that came with the car if I needed it.

[Ranger83]

Nokian does not allow online sales of their tires. I suspect once the folks selling them mail order are discovered, they won't have the line anymore.

 

Not the WR's but I paid $170 installed for 225/55x17 RSI's locally. 205/70x15 were $110.

 

There's a dealer locator at http://www.nokiantires.com

[ILMOB]

Just got my Nokian WRs for $525 installed and balanced at a local independent tire shop that I found on the Nokian website as an authorized dealer...size 205/70/15. Thanks to this board for all the great info. Can't wait until it snows!