Just put on 4 of the new Nokian WR G2's

[seftonde]

All,

Just back from putting on four of the new Nokian WR G2's. If anyone locally is interested - I got them at Import Tire at 111 National Road in Glastonbury, CT. Bruce and the rest of the staff there are very friendly, and did the whole job promptly. Out the door, four tires plus balancing install etc cost me about $492. (185 65R15) I have no affiliation with Import Tire, but I was impressed with the service.

I drove 6 miles back to the office (downtown Hartford, CT). They might be a little louder than the stock Integrities, which I expect, but it was barely discernible. Roads are dry (and cold) today, but I will add to this thread as I get experience with how they handle.

Thanks to everyone who has posted info on tires, Nokians especially, which helped me make my decision.

Daniel

[David Beale]

Great! Look forward to your reports. I'll bet they have no effect on your mileage.

[seftonde]

Well, I've put about 150 miles on them so far. All dry pavement - maybe we'll get some snow this weekend.

On dry pavement they are great, the best way to describe them is that the car feels more 'confident'. The car tracks better, feels better on curvy back roads and is solid at high speed (75 MPH). As I mentioned before, very slight increase in road noise but not an issue.

Too little data (150 miles) for info on impact MPG, but initial indications are no impact.

Everyone have a good weekend, and if we get any snow/ice/rain I'll post!

Daniel

[Tideland Prius]

Sounds good! Keep us informed.

[pascoprius]

Daniel, Any further thoughts? What has been the effect on MPG? I am looking to put a set of the WRs on my '06.

Thanks
Ken

[David Beale]

Well my WRs haven't dropped my mileage, so there's one data point for you. I would expect the WR G2s to be better than the WRs. Yesterday I got to drive in blowing snow at -22C, with nice polished ice/snow at the intersections. Pearl had to try several times to get going, but that didn't delay the other vehicles, they just sat there spinning their wheels. No problems in the deeper snow (drifts). But I never did high center (managed to avoid the larger drifts - which are really hard to see).

[divots]

....I put WR G2's on the Prius the day after taking an early December delivery and have logged 3508 miles to date...my mileage consistently remains in the 44-46 mpg range and the car has handled much better than I thought possible in every possible winter driving condition which has included two trips from the Connecticut shoreline to the frozen tundra of Western New York...the WR G2's inspire confidence with their predictable handling characteristics...excess noise has certainly not been an issue despite the snowfree driving conditions that we have thus far experienced...Bruce and his gang at Import Tire have taken good care of me in the past but I was able to get my WR G2's closer to home for an out-the-door price of $424.00...I had originally purchased the Prius just for the winter months and then flip it but every day behind its wheel seems to impress me more and is beginning to make me reconsider my original intentions...one of these days I'll take and post some pics of the front, rear and rear deck blue dot over black cocomats (Default Natural Auto Products, LLC) that Jeff made for me...although a little pricey, I can't tell you how many people ask about them.

[cnschult]

here are the 3 snow (winter) tires I have used currently & in the past:

Bridgestone Blizzak (USA)
Michelin X-Ice (France)
Yokohama Ice Guard (Japan)

Nokian WR G2 (Where are these made??, if its northern europe like Norway I'm sold)

When are auto manufacturer's gonna start heating the wheel wells so snow doesn't accumulate?

[jdenenberg]

Originally Posted by cnschult

Nokian WR G2 (Where are these made??, if its northern europe like Norway I'm sold)?

The Nokians are made in Finland . If you want an all-weather tire that works as well as most winter tires, look for the more aggressive Nokian WR which has the aggressive tread on both edges (the WRg2 is aggressive on one edge).

JeffD

[Tideland Prius]

Vredstein Quatrac 2 (and 3) are also another set of tyres that compete at the same level as the Nokian WRs.

I don't have any first hand experience with them. I'm currently using WRs in the stock size.