[s-cars] Re: SUV Snow Tire?

[Paul D]

Bob,

I agree with everyone assessment of Michelins as being over rated, over 
priced, and not good on an SUV is snow, especially heavy or deep snow. 
 I have run Goodrich A/T, Goodrich M/T, Dunlop M/T, and Bridgestone's 
M/T.  The Goodrich A/T were only useful the 1st year, after that, the 
tread design and 20,000 miles of wear caused them to be rendered useless 
in snow and not too good in rain.  The Goodrich M/T were awesome for 2 
years and 40,000 miles, the last 30,000 mile they were just all right. 
 My biggest complaint about them and the reason I did not buy them again 
is they have a 3-ply sidewall.  That's good for bouldering, but it make 
the ride on the highway too stiff.  But they were so good in the deep 
snow and did last 70,000 miles.  The next set was the Dunlop M/T.  The 
price was unbeatable and the snow bight was great.  The highway ride was 
smoother but a little noisier.  Than goodness for a 400 watt stereo so 
the lug sound never bothered me and they lasted me about 60,000 miles 
and were sold with the SUV.  I am now running Bridgestones M/T on my 
current SUV.  So far, so good.  Great bite on snow and rain.  Nice ride 
on the highway and very quiet considering they are a Mud Terrain tire.  

On an SUV. it's tough to beet the M/T tires for snow traction and with 
the modern designs, the ride is considerably good and the noise is only 
slightly increased.  I'll make that sacrifice to gain the ability to get 
me out of places I probably should not have driven.

While I like the M/T tires on my SUVs, I'd rather drive my S6 unless the 
snow is so deep that I need the ground clearance like it has been the 
past two weekends :-).

Paul Dooley
95 S6 and several M/T equipped SUVs