MXV4 vs. Artic Alpin - data or advice?

[Jim H]

After years of below-normal snow, it looks like Detroit is in for normal to above-normal snowfalls. We received 14" Monday before Christmas! Below-normal temperatures are forecast, so salt will not be as effective.

The last few miles to our house are the last to be plowed. My wife got stuck once; we used the readily-accessible tow hook under the bumper! Then she got stuck in our driveway.

I bow to the inevitable It's finally time to plan for winter...

The 1996 E300D has good, almost-new MXV4s. I am considering Artic Alpins for the winter (snow) months IF they give SIGNIFICANTLY better traction.

So, the question is; would they perform better, enough to make me feel OK about the $$ or are the MXV4s almost as good?

BCingU, Jim

[Luke@tirerack]

The absolute worst snow/winter tires are 10 times better than the absolute best all-season tires. The tire you have mentioned are not at either extreme. The Arctic Alpins are very good winter tires and the MXV4's are adequate all-season tires. The traction in adverse conditions will be very, very dramatic with the Arctic Alpins. I would suggest make the move for the winter tires and be happy whenever you have to go out in the snow for the next few years.
Thanks, Luke

[Jim H]

Dot and I both thank you for the quick response, Luke. We will be looking at snow tires this weekend.

I also want to thank you for your research and numbers you posted in November giving snow tire comparisons. You are to be commended for using a scientific approach to comparison by including clear, wet and icy surfaces. I can appreciate the time it took you and the team do drive, record numbers, change the tires and drive some more.

Keep up the good work!

BCingU, Jim

[DavidWeis]

I picked up a pair of Artic Alpin last week. We just got a foot of snow dumped on us in NY (Westchester) and its still snowing.
I took out the car to test the tires out, fully aware that with the idiots on the road today, someone could hit me. Well, I made it home!
As for the tires, I'm impressed. Stopping POWER was very impressive! The car never got stuck, and going up a steep hill that had about 4 inches packed, made it with wheel spin. The car never lost momentum, and kept going..Those tires and a lot of prayer made all the difference!

[Jim H]

Update. We put Arctic Alpins on all four corners of the E300D last week.

Most roads are clear now. It hasn't snowed much in a while, and the plows and salt have done their work. The tires are very quiet on wet or dry pavement.

The snow has not melted from the private road or our driveway that connects to it. The tires seem to cope with the 1-lane, narrow icy uphill a lot better than the MXV4s, and we don't get stuck in the driveway.

I'm now sleeping more comfortably knowing that I've done all I can to winterize my wife's car.

Thank you all for the advice.

BCingU, Jim