My new-to-me Touareg came shod with some Cooper Mud and Snow tires with studs and seem to be doing decently well thus far. I also just purchased (because they were decently priced) a set of Nokian Hakka's mounted on rims from a friend whom owned a Touareg for future winters. Nokian's typically tend to have a better rating for winter driving.

In the past I have used Blizzaks and was impressed as well Granted were on an S4 and a Corrado, but none the less.

 

Nokian Hakkapelittas are the best. Many of us here have them, everyone says they are the best snow tires they have ever used.

Not cheap, but well worth every dime.

 

A definite +1!

Have had the Hakkas on all my vehicles the last decade, after having experimented with Blizzaks, and Michelin Alpins, etc...NO contest! The only tire that comes close to the Nokian IMHO, would be the Gislaved, but don't bother looking them up, since they don't make SUV tires for the EGG

I elected to go with Yokohama Geolander I/T go72 winter tires for my Touareg, only because I got a killer deal on them brand new that would have been silly for me to pass up. Off the top of my head, that meant close to $600 more for a full set of Nokians over the Yokohamas. I had to decide, were the Nokians $600 better than the Yokos? Probably not, or MAYBE, but the Touareg is no slouch in the snow either, so I went with the money saver in the end.
They Yokohama Geolander I/T go72 feel surprisingly good in the snow, and are very quiet on the highway for a winter tire. However, I feel it's worth mentioning, that my wifes Passat is equipped with studded Gislaved tires, and when approaching those stop signs at intersections that are laden with pure wet ice, the Geolanders on the Touareg under braking, do make you gasp :shock: juuust a tad bit more, if you were a little bit careless coming in a little too fast for the final stop, over the Passat.

 

Thanks guys! I've been recommended Pirelli Scorpian Ice and Snow.. But I will look into the Nokians... Cheers!

 

+2 on the Nokian's. I put Hakka's on, and they are super. You still have to be careful with ice conditions, as with any vehicle (with any tire), especially heavy ones like a Treg. But comparitively speaking, they eat up the snow. I feel my wife is safer driving the Treg out in the bad stuff, because I know these tires perform well (its the other drivers I worry about).

 

Go Nokians if you have the means to do so. I currently am not running them, but used to on my 04. I am too lazy to get a set of snows and just make due with AT tires all year round.

 

I'd like to add another question to this thread...
I seem to recall someone saying that 17 is better than 19 for snow and general off-roading. Could anyone with sufficient knowledge please elaborate?

Thanks!

 

I'd like to add another question to this thread...
I seem to recall someone saying that 17 is better than 19 for snow and general off-roading. Could anyone with sufficient knowledge please elaborate?

Thanks!

17" is better because you have a better selection of tires to choose from, plus you can get taller AT type tires for the 17" wheels where as the 19" have very little options. 19" would be better for dry handling because of the smaller side wall and possibly wider tire for more contact patch. I don't look at my Treg as a sports car, so I just run AT tires all year round and I don't feel it gives up that much in handling with in reason. I also run a narrower tire for snow so it cuts through it rather then riding the ruts on top of it. Narrower is better for snow. I good example of that is watching rally cars run in snow and they run pretty narrow tires compared to when they run on dirt or asphalt.

 

Thanks Yeti!
So according to this I'd simply have to buy a set of 17 rims with winter/off-road tires.

Could anyone else please pitch in?

 

Taker a needle, put it upright on your hand, add a certain amount of downward pressure on the needle, then try to "slide it across."
Then take something wider. Like a small 12 inch ruler, that is 1 inch wide. ADD THE SAME amount of pressure/weight on it, as you did on the needle before. So which slides easier across? Which one hurts less?

It's the same principle with tires in the snow.

Think cookie cutters!!!

 

No, it makes perfect sense, I wasn't doubting it.
My question (that I should have phrased better) was can I get away with the same tire for snow and general off roading (mix of different conditions) or is that a whole new ball of wax?

 

I am doing just that. I am using an AT type tire for snow and offroad use. Yes there are better tires to use for snow, but the AT tires work pretty well and I have run them on many other SUV's that I have used in snow with no issues. You just can't over drive them. I had Nokian WR's in the past on my 04 and loved them in snow and ice. They actually worked pretty damn well offroad as well. I am not talking just dirt roads either. My first year on the Rally in CO we did our very first trail ride and it was a muddy mess the first maybe mile of it. I watched guys in front of me with offroad specific tires sliding around all over the place, but still making it through. I crawled right up the same section with very little drama. They treated the mud like snow and just worked better. However saying that, they did get torn up pretty easily on rocks and such. I was literally missing chunks of tread blocks due to rocks. I shortened the life of those tires by taking them offroad for sure.

 

I looked into the Nokian's but i just about fell over when they quoted me a price. I went with the new Blizzak DV1 because 1) they were $150 and i got a Buy 3 get 1 free deal on top of that. 2) I live in Seattle... so we don't get any harsh long lasting weather.. just a few days of light snow and ice... other than that we just have wet roads pretty much 100% of the time. I just ran down to the bay area over Christmas and the Blizzaks did great over the I5 mountain passes which has a little snow and ice. So i am very happy considering I didn't have to spend much money on a set of winter tires. Are they "the best"... probably not.. but i could buy a new pair every year for the next 3 years and spend about the same as the Nokian's.

 

I looked into the Nokian's but i just about fell over when they quoted me a price. I went with the new Blizzak DV1 because 1) they were $150 and i got a Buy 3 get 1 free deal on top of that. 2) I live in Seattle... so we don't get any harsh long lasting weather.. just a few days of light snow and ice... other than that we just have wet roads pretty much 100% of the time. I just ran down to the bay area over Christmas and the Blizzaks did great over the I5 mountain passes which has a little snow and ice. So i am very happy considering I didn't have to spend much money on a set of winter tires. Are they "the best"... probably not.. but i could buy a new pair every year for the next 3 years and spend about the same as the Nokian's.

Nokians make sense if you live in a snowbelt area or if you venture up into the mountains...otherwise its overkill. I bought mine because my inlaws live in Syracuse...the Ottawa-Syracuse drive takes you through one of the heavyest snowfall areas in this region.

 

Gregtay, you would have to drive a set to understand it. I too was in shock with the price of them, but bought a set anyhow and was completely thrilled with them.

 

I bought TOYO Observe winter tires, they work very well. It's my 3rd winter with them, so far very happy.

Cheers

 

Not to mention Nokians last forever...this is my 3rd winter with them and they've only worn down 1mm since new.

Expensive, but you get a long life out of them..aside from the unreal snow performance.

 

I believe you 100%... and if i lived in a place with lots of snow and i would spend the coin on them, I wouldn't have thought twice about it... but snow tires aren't really needed here and it seems ever dollar i spend on the Touareg my wife spends the same amount on the house... :-/

 

Ok - given the apparent popularity of the Nokian's, can anyone suggest where I might find them? I live in BC (Whistler). I can only seem to get my hands on pirelli scorpian ice and snow or winter carving, and was going to purchase one of those two options...


Cheers!

 

Tire Factory is where I bought mine. I know they have a site, but not sure if you can order from them or not. I actually have local Tire Factory stations here in SLC. If you go to the Nokian site you can do a dealer search in your area.

 

Looks like the nokians don't come in the size i need (Kal Tire sell them here in Canada). I need a 255 60 17, and Pirelli seems to be the best rated for my size. Anyone have any thoughts on the Pirelli snow and ice scorpian?

 

Personally, I hated them. Immediately took them off, even with 60% of tread remaining. MUCH noisier on the highway than what I have on there now(post#5).

Curious what others have to say.

 

I just put 265/55/19 Pirelli snow & ice on my 09 and I like them. If its a aggressive snow tire your looking for then they may not be what you want. I have had them in the snow and ice a number of times already and they really grab. There in between a all season and full blown snow tire. Thats what I need, something that will work in the snow but also perform on dry payment when crusing on the highway.

They got good ratings on Tire-Rack and I too would recommend them.

 

After very much research taking into consideration, value, and performance, I settled on the Nokians. My decision was mostly through reading the post on this most wonderful forum. I purchased mine from this link that is located on previous post by others. For $775.00 they are a great deal. They shipped them right out and I received them in 2 days. I think that I talked to Scott Here is the link again:

https://s198.cartencrypt.biz/ViewCa...on=http://www.mktire.com/&viewstateuserkey=26c3e3ab-31a4-49af-8a1e-4e9b14510c16

 

one other thing, I am very pleased with them. We live in a area that receives 180 to 250 inches of snow each year. We came home from skiing the other night and my V10 when up our driveway through 14" of snow. Our drive climbs 110 feet in 900 foot of distances. Not one slip and just slow and easy it went.

 

the revamped Nokians aren't as noisy and there treadwear rating went up!

I have a set of WRs entering its 5th season on a Highlander and they look brand new although only 49k miles.

The set of WR G2s the Treg is in its second season and the treadwear and performance is excellent. That said, the set on my Passat is close to the wear bar after only 1 1/2 seasons but performance is still great.

The Tire Factory's website is Tiresbyweb.com At least for out-of staters, shipping is free/included in the price.

I am thinking of changing over next time to Hakkas if performance is similar to WRs

 

Just bought my REG today and looking to stick a set of 22" on ,looks like a gap needs filled ,i think fill it ,pic's to follow ;-)

 

My tires size are 18

I see you all talk about tire size 17 and 19, I am desperately looking for snow tires also and reading through you post. My current tires are 255 55 R18 on a 2004 V8. Do I have do wrong size? Any help anyone?

 

I see you all talk about tire size 17 and 19, I am desperately looking for snow tires also and reading through you post. My current tires are 255 55 R18 on a 2004 V8. Do I have do wrong size? Any help anyone?

I'm running 255/55/18 Nokian Hakkapellita 5 SUV tires...ther were 4 original tire sizes offered on the Treg, in 17/18/19 and 20" size

 

Scroll down to see similar threads on snow tires. The 255/55/R18 is a standard size for the Touareg. I love my Nokian WRG2. Do a search and you'll find tons of info on popular snow tires.

 

Thank you turtle! Is that a Mal on the pic!