Car in question is 2009 BMW X3. I don’t do much off-road driving and roads are well-maintained where I live (Raasepori). So if it handles average Finnish conditions and is durable, that’s more than enough for me (unless I’m missing a consideration, which is part of the reason I’m asking here). Maybe 100+ load capacity would be good, in case I buy a trailer cravan in the future (car’s load index is 96).

I think Goodyear in this list is as cheap as I’d go (850 euros for a set). But then there isn’t a big difference between that and Nokian (964 euros). So not sure if it’s worth it to spring the extra bucks. My general philosophy in these types of rare expanses is to not skimp, but not sure if it’s worth it. There’s also the fitting and balancing expense (hook me up for your affordable shop suggestions for that in Raasepori).

Let me also know if there are worthy alternatives than the ones in this list. This website is: https://suomenrengastukku.fi

Thanks all for any input!

by bolyai

34 comments

  1. I went with top of the line studded tires (on my old Kia) because sliding backwards into a tree is an experience I would pay to avoid. Nokian tires should be a solid choice.

  2. The stud only give you an advantage if you are actually driving on blank ice. On snowy streets, even the “white ice” type of compressed snow, good non-studded winter tires are just as good – and they don’t damage the road as much as the studded ones.

    Otherwise, avoid the cheap ones from unknown brands. The branded ones perform more or less the same.

  3. Depends where you are. If you are inland or up North where there is plenty of snow coverage throughout the winter, then all season tyres (kitka) will be good. If you live in areas where you get a lot of ice during the winter, then studded ones are better for those kind of conditions. We just bought new ones last year and went for Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 (studded) as we live in the coastal area and we get really icy roads throughout the winter. But go with your personal budget.

  4. nokian’s are unbeaten, everything else except the bottom two are okay for normal use.

  5. Hakkapeliitta 10 is the best winter tire that money can buy.

  6. Personaly i do like goodyear arctic 2 quality/price ratio is best after 2 years of using them no complains. Nokia is always solid choise. People saying you dont need studded tyres wich is true but even best non studded tyre is not even close to studded tyre on ice.

  8. Personally I got a great discount last year buying hakkapelitta 9, probably because the 10 had come out and the smaller shop was doing a sale on the “previous model”. It can be worth browsing around some more!

    Like another commenter said, all the big brand ones are similar (so all except those bottom 2). Nokia stands out as a bit better but honestly unless you are an advanced/skilled driver you will not notice or care for the difference, so I’d recommend you save the money and find a discounted set of brand tires if possibleor otherwise get the goodyears that you mention in your post.

  9. I’ve had Continentals for the last 10 years, two different cars. No complaints. But I think any well known brand would do, Nokian, Michelin etc.

  10. Last winter I read extensive study about winter tires. The friction tires start to be even better than studded tires in some conditions. The main difference comes from breaking on ice, there stidded was clear winner. There is no other attribute why you should buy studded tires. On snow, friction is actually outperforming studded tires.

    Its little bit counterintuitive first that theoretically for snowy lapland frictions are better option and in the less snowy icy southern finland studded would be better.

    However, I will never go back to studded even while living here at southern Finland. Especially if you have AWD. They perform pretty dang well, and are much more comfortable, silent and better for anyone using air to breath.

    You can read from library or e-library tekniikan maailma 18/2024 for more extensive information.

    Summary: dont buy stud tires, go with friction tires. Among the best is Nokian hakka. That is what i use and am very happy with them. If you still want studs, go for Nokian Hakka. They are always among the best ones in every test.

    https://preview.redd.it/wjqt1fv095of1.jpeg?width=1031&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6104ddeeef1551b4fc9ec90d51392670b477d57

  11. All of those are fine, except maybe the cheapest ones. Since you are driving in wet asphalt a lot, maybe Pirelli Ice Zero 2, which was selected as best by Teknikens Värld last year. If you’re unsure, Hakkapeliitta 10, it’s the best all-round winter tyre a money can buy.

  13. I can only speak for Hakkapelittan and Michelin, but are very nice. I have hakka 8 I think it was on my car now and they are fine. I had Michelin studded when I had my 325i and they were amazing for the price I paid.

    I would say in general, any known name brand will get you where you want to go somewhat safely.

  14. In my experience Nokian Hakkapeliitta are good, but not as durable as Continental or Michelin. Any of those three brand should have OK performance.

  15. My recommendation like many others is Nokia. Main reason I’ve only had Nokia really and they’ve tested well. Tires are the one thing you shouldn’t go cheap on as they really affect performance.

    Sadly while I have strong opinion, I’d really like to get to try different winter tires to see how the difference actually feels. Never going to happen, but getting to a track to try multiple tires and see if I would even notice if they change tires or not.

  17. Among those Hakkapelitta 10, Michelin Ice North or Goodyear Ultra Grip Artic.

    IIRC those are the top selection on several winter tyre tests in past 2-3 years.

  20. if your often driving on ice, use the studded ones ofc. no need otherwise.

  21. I’ve had Michelin X-Ice North 4 and they were excellent. I also got really good deal with fitting from Vianor. Was actually cheaper than buying the tyres online. So worth looking around.

    I also have had Hakkapeliitta 8 or 9 I think which came on a car a bought which are pretty good so I assume 10 are too..

  22. All of them are good, but I have no clue what the last two are, never heard of them…

  24. Liked the Continental ones when I used to use studded tires. They were quite silent as far as studded tires go. Nokia ones were like driving a chainsaw on a kettle.

  25. At least Nokian, Continental and Michelin are pretty good from these. But those are expensive as well. According to last year’s winter tire test in Tekniikan Maailma magazine, I bought Hankook iPike RS studded tires to my old car, previous were Continenltal Ice Contact 2’s. Kumho studded tires from middle priced category were also pretty good in the tests but my dealer didn’t have those in storage and so I chose Hankook with pretty same price.

  28. Let’s just start with this.
    From that selection 6 tires are designed for Commercial use, In other words Vans or trucks.

    From the 4 that isn’t,

    Continental Ice Contact 3,
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10,
    Michelin X Ice-north 4
    GoodYear Ultra grip Arctic 2

    I’d say any is good choice,
    Michelin is most comfortable. with great grip on any situation
    on the downsides.
    Nokian has the weakest “frame” so to speak. it might deform after couple years forcing you to replace at least 2 tires, 4 if you have AWD (This is to protect the transfercase, just to keep the circumference of the tires exactly the seame)
    Michelin and GoodYear are most likely to lose studs overtime.
    Continental is pretty much smack bang in middle. not really better at anything, not really worse on anything.

    And yes, I have been involved with car tires for “few years” so I have some experience…

  30. I had the same conundrum and ended up choosing between the hakkapeliitta and X-ICE as they’re almost identical in the ratings. Honestly just ho with either of those imo

  31. Nokia Hakkapeliitta 10 and Michelin X-Ice North 4 were the best overall performers in last years tests. If I recall correctly the Hakkapeliitta was the best performer on ice and snow while Michelin had a slight edge on wet and dry asphalt. Michelin wasn’t far off from the Nokia on the ice and snow performance either and also wasn’t making as much noise.

    Michelin would be the option I’d be going for, but Nokia is a little bit safer in the worst conditions.

  32. Holy shite those prices! Apart from the hakkapeliitta, which is always a favourite, I was very satisfied with pirelly ice zero 2.

  34. There are two brands of winter tyres:

    * Nokian
    * Other

    Nokians are designed for real winters.

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