Re:Snow tires

[AHKai@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-10-09 17:41:32 EDT, you write:

<< For those of you citing experience with the Hakka 10's, were you running
 studs or not?
 If so, how do they compare in non-studded form to the other tires discussed
 (i.e. Michelin, Blizzak, Gislaved, etc.) that have either porous rubber or
 lots of sipes and NO studs? >>

I have had experience with non-studded Hakka 10's on an '87 Gti, 185/65-14,
and have had fully studded Hakka 10's on my BMW 320i, 185/70-13.  Given a
choice between the two, go studded, the bimmer wasn't the greatest snow car,
but the studs definitely gave it an edge over non-studded Gti.  I can't
explain how much of a difference they made, this after having a set of
Vredestein non-studded snows on it.  W/o studs, I couldn't even get in/out of
my driveway in the winter.  A little wheelspin and the Hakka's were sawing
through the ice on the ground.  Now I know people will tell you studs aren't
as good on dry pavement (really??!!), but I buy Hakka's for the nasty winters
out my way (yours too?).  The studs make a big difference in a variety of
conditions.  As for Blizzaks, my opinion is that they are gimmicky (no
offense to anyone) in the way that Aquatreads and 80,000 mile tires are
gimmicky.  You can't convince me that a non-studded siped tire will ever be
as good as a good studded tire in certain conditions.  Places like the Tire
Rack are thrilled to tell you about how good the Blizzaks are, but then again
they aren't selling Nokias either. If I'm going to outfit my car with snows,
I'm going to put  something agressive and studded on as opposed to a nice
quiet/good handling on dry pavement snow tire.  That's my 02 about the
Blizzak-Hakka deal.  If I get a chance to ice race this winter (if I get the
bimmer fixed), I'll be out on Hakkas, wonder if they let Quattros compete?
 Talk about the ultimate unfair advantage!!  Imagine a studded Quattro
running around on frozen lakes!!!

If you go with Hakkas, I don't think you'll be sorry.  Let me know how it
turns out.