re: 164s Tire choice (long reply)

["Zacharey Cox (Entex)" <a-zachc@domain.elided>]

"Any words of advice from those who really drive their cars in snow?  I
don't mean 'can make it home in snow' but rather ' 'willingly drives 200
miles in snowstorm to ski powder'.  Just how good are these cars with 'all
season' tires on them?  Michael?  Zach?"

Hmmm, I can tell you which dedicated snow tires I'd never buy again:
Bridgestone Blizzaks.  Don't believe the hype!!  You know when you're
driving up to the ski mountain and there's that transition period of super
heavy wet snow before it becomes real snow?  This part is the Blizzies
biggest fault.  Good thing the 164 handles so well that I can overcome the
tire's weakness.  When you reach nice packed snow they're ok, not as good as
other tires I've had.  On dry pavement it feels as though any corner taken
over 10mph nearly buckles the sidewalls, and in the wet do not take the revs
over 2500rpm in 1st & 2nd or more than part throttle.  
The last car I used to go skiing was a VW Scirocco, good snow capabilities
and I threw on some generic 'Winter Radial' tires.  It rallied through all
kinds of snow!  Here's the difference between the Blizzies & the WRs: The
WRs had big gaps between the big tread blocks to allow deep slush & wet snow
to channel through.  The Blizzies have such tight gaps no wonder they float
all over the place going up Snoqualme Slush Cup (Interstate 90).  Also, the
Blizzies do not perform all that well on ice as they preach.  I have to use
second gear and slip the clutch moderately to get any forward momentum.  Yes
I have checked pressures when cold.
The Milano Gold I owned had studs all the way around so I can't make an good
comparison, but it never got stuck!  It was fitted with Cooper snow tires.
>From what I've heard though the Nokian Hakkipaledia (I know I'm not spelling
it correctly) or the Pirelli Winter Ice are excellent tires.  I'll be
purchasing a set of either of these for next season.  When you're skiing
25-40 days a year you need damn good snow tires, and the Pirellis and Hakks
are what I've narrowed my search down to.
As for all season tires that perform on dry pavement here you have it:  At
the beginning of ski last season I was caught out with my summer tires on:
205/55-16" Michelin Pilot XGTZ4.  My friend and I had been out that night
but he was driving his Quattro.  On the way to his house the Quattro
actually spun and hit a curb, it just broke loose in a corner and nothing
could be done to save it!  The 164 was resting at his house with a blanket
of 3 - 4 inches of snow.  After a short debate as to whether or not the
Pilots could handle it I told him I'd just walk back to his house if I were
to get stuck.  I can honestly say they performed quite well.  The roads were
packed with snow and multiple spins on the side streets.  I hopped on the
freeway and dipped in to the throttle to see how easy they'd spin.  To my
surprise this resulted in acceleration!  I was doing about 60mph down the
freeway when the few cars on it were doing about half that.  I basically
drove the 164 normally and made it home no sweat.  The XGTZ4s also perform
sweetly in the dry, being very progressive at the limit (the 164's
suspension a big part too) and will let you know early enough when you're
approaching that limit.  In the rain they're amazing, you feel like 'The
Rain Meister', Michael Schumacher.  I've also had these tires on the track
several times and felt like I ruled when the downpour continued throughout
the day.  FWD & these tires are an unfair advantage to M3s, 911s, & pony
cars with their wide rubber in the wet.  Imagine having to tailgate these
cars through the corners, then they wave you by on the straights!
Oh, one more tire that I am not liking is the Yokohama A520.  These are a
summer tire and should not be driving in the rain!  They hydroplane at 55!
And they have less the 4k on them.  They're loud and the sidewalls are not
as crisp as the Michelins.  Dry grip seems to be pretty good though.  I'll
be replacing these just as soon as I can wear 'em out.

So there you have it, Zach's tire analysis.

Cheers,
Zach / Redmond, WA
'91 164S & '76 Alfetta GT - for sale (good parts car or resto project)
'00 Suzuki SV650

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End of alfa-digest V7 #1356
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