winter tire advice
 

Looking for winter tire recomendations. I'm looking for a few types to look for. people here seem to sell their winter tires off after every winter, and you can buy 90%+ left tires for less than half of new price. People here seem to forget that winter here is a yearly event... I figured winter tires are like buying a new car... Lose half their value after being driven off the lot...
I found a few sets for $300 including rims that don't fit my car... There were some contis here recently... waiting to see if they're still available...
Car is the S320...

I run the wintermark tires from firestone.I stud them for ice.But I always carry chains for deep snow.

bought a set of nokian happa rsi for $360 including rims for a grand marquis. Up here those tires are worth $200 each new. About 80% tread left...

I have run general altimax arctics on several w124s. The grip is incredible, evev in a foot of snow. Not bad on ice, either.

You're not going to do much better for winter tires than Nokians. Good deal. My wife has had a set on her Prius for the last five seasons. They're a low rolling-resistance tire.

The Firestones previously mentioned are Winterforce, I believe (I don't see a Wintermark in their current online catalog). Nice tire.

As oldsinner brought up the subject of chains, has anyone tried the thule cs10 chains?? Those look right up my alley, as I hate chaining up a vehicle...

I currently have 17" wheels on my Jetta.

My plan was to find a set of cheap 16" wheels and put on some Bridgestone Blizzak's. The cheapest 16" wheels I could find were about $400. I did find a set of 17" wheels from a local guy. Those wheels came from his Passat.

What should I do:

Wheel Options:

1. Keep looking for 16's (Winter) and keep 17's for summer.
2. Put winter tires on 17's and look for 18's in spring
3. Keep 2 sets of 17's (Summer & Winter)

Tire Options:

I wanted Blizzaks but Costco does not have them in stock anymore. What about a Michelin Winter Tire? Is there another brand that I should try?

Around where I live, I dont' know too many people who like blizzacks for winter use...

That might have something to do with you living just slightly north of the north pole. :D

Well, I can see Santa's workshop from my front porch... :P

Keep looking for 16s--you want the narrowest tire possible.

Blizzacks have worked well for me, run them on all four corners....not saying there isn't better ones out there..I just haven't used them yet.