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Online Vendor for Nokian WRG3?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MJ2005, Nov 2, 2015.

  1. MJ2005

    MJ2005 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2009
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    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XLE
    I'm looking to buy new Nokians to replace the Yokohama's that came with my 2013 Prius. At 28,000 miles, they're at 6/32 tread and I'd feel more comfortable with better winter tires since I live in Boston.

    I had the Nokian WRG2's on my Gen 2 Prius and they were great. They ran between $500 - $550 installed.

    Local vendor wants $800 installed (that's crazy). I've searched online and can get them for $370 from simpletire.com but there are some shaky reviews for them.

    Is anyone buying these tires online and have a recommendation for a trustworthy vendor? Or experience with simpletire.com? Tirerack no longer carries the Nokians.
     
    #1 MJ2005, Nov 2, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2015
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    This is what I see on Kal Tire site:

    Capture.JPG

    Those are Canadian prices, in greater Vancouver, BC area. Per tire there's an extra $26.48, for valve and balance.

    The Nordman WR are rebadged WRG2, I think. The tread pattern at least is a dead ringer. The WRG3 are a new tread pattern. My daughter was looking for tires for her Pilot, ended up going with the Nordman. The WRG3 had a placard on them in the store, saying they were better for mpg.

    I used WRG2 as a snow tire, had them on separate steel rims. They were passable, but I couldn't wait to get them off in spring, mainly due to their impact on mpg.

    Looks like they're only in Canada, I see locations in Ontario, but... Anyway, maybe helps a bit.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Nov 6, 2015
  3. MJ2005

    MJ2005 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2009
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    0
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XLE
    Thanks Mendel. Price went up by $20/tire since I first posted. :( My mechanic has been trying to track them down too but not successful. Maybe I'll just get the Defenders instead. Will they kill mpg by that much?
     
    #3 MJ2005, Nov 6, 2015
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,554
    38,719
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Defenders aren't that good for RR either, and definetly aren't a winter tire.

    I'm not sure what to recommend. Personally I use Michelin Pilot 215/45R17 (OEM's) spring thru fall, and for winter Michelin X-Ice 195/65R15 o separate rims in winter. The latter actually roll pretty good.

    That's just me, but I think it's too much of a stretch: one tire for four seasons.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Nov 6, 2015
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