Wrs on 1 car-synchrones on the other now-opinions!

[Stu in Oregon]

I am still very much a newbie in here, but I may be the only one with two XCs, one with Nokian WRs and the other with Michelin Synchrones. It is a long and sorted (read: expensive http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif ) saga. I will spare you the gory details unless you insist http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif

The 01', my wife's, has 27,000 miles and is the car equiped with the WRs. We have about 5500 miles on them. The 02' has 6500 miles and is the car equiped with the Synchrones. They have about 1200 miles. Here are the disputable facts! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Both of these tires are noticeably better than the Scorpian STs in almost all respects and are worth the price of the upgrade IMHO. The WRs are superb in wet conditions. The Synchrones are better in the dry. A quick look at the tread design and compound will tell you that. Both are better at braking than the Scorpians with the WRs prefering the wet and the Synchrones prefering dry. The WRs are awesome in the dirt. Definately better than the Synchrones and they will be superior in the snow as well. The WR looks as though they would be more than adequate for 85% of all our winter needs in this forum. None the less, we have a set of studed Gislavid NordFrost 2s for the 01' and a set of studed Hakka 2s on their way for the 02'. The Synchrones should not be trusted in frozen weather in my opinion. The Scorpians will be better than the Synchrones in snow. The Synchrones clearly hold the comfort and low noise crown. They trounce the WR in the area of stiffness in particular and provide a smoother ride. But the WR is not unacceptably stiff in my opinion. And the Synchrones are more round with no visible runout and take less weight to balance.

Both the WRs and the Synchrones are excellent tires and are worth dumping your Scorpians for (flame away http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif ). They are also rather different from each other with differing end purposes. For those of you looking for ultimate all around performance which includes real off-pavement use, the WRs are for you. Or if you want a true four season tire which holds the 'severe service' winter rating then they are also for you. But if you want comfort and quiet and do not need to worry about snow, then the Synchrones will be your friends.

I know this is a passionate subject for many, so know matter how you flame me , it will not hurt! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif

[wiz]

First Stu, this is a pretty civilized board, it's rare to see arguments break out. So you're not going to get flamed. Second, you're going to have coastal on the phone to his tire dealer with that review of the WR - if he hasn't ordered them already! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Two or three people have changed their Scorpions for Nokian WRs on this board and are happy. I did read somewhere that Nokian was aiming the tire at this vehicle (although I can hardly believe that). But it is interesting to read the comparisons. Do you have a sense of the ride quality of the WRs versus the Scorpions?

Since you obviously buy tires at the drop of a hat, you may be interested to know that one or two people here have ventured into high-performance land with the purchase of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S at a 225-60/16 size that gives a 27.0" outside diameter, the spec. for this car.

[Hiro's XC]

I'll second Wiz here. This is not a flame prone board. Sometimes that happens when the boards get bigger, but unlike VVspy and swedespeed there is really no flamin' idiots on this board. Kind of nice actually.....I'll agree 100% with you on your assesment of the WRs. I'm happy with mine.

jason

[Stu in Oregon]

Thanks for the replies Wiz and Hiro XC. I guess I'll take off my Nomex racing suit and put it back in the closet http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

To answer your question Wiz: We find the Scorpians to be less stiff and smoother riding. The difference is felt mostly over expansion joints and pot-holes, not cruising down the street as it were. But as I stated above, I do not find the stiffness of the WRs to be unacceptable. My wife says "they are little stiff" which is her code for telling me to put the Synchrones on her car and the WRs on my car. That will happen after this coming winter.

As far as your high performance conversion suggestion Wiz: I harbor no illusions about the handling poosibilites of our XCs. I traded in a 01' 330i with sport package and manual for my Ocean Race and nothing will ever compare from Volvo. Plus I am an avid fly fisherman and frequently drive down dirt roads. I left the world of trucks with our 01' XC and am not looking back. I love how the XCs suit my/our lifestyle, which includes the recently expanded family. Hence the sad departure of the BMW.

[wiz]

I completely understand your comment on the 330i and the comparison.  There is none.

I think that those who purchase the Pilot Sport A/S tire are not necessarily looking to push their XCs however.  I think they are just looking for a quality alternative to the "trucky" feel of the SUV/LT category (to not use your wife's code  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif ).

The type of driving you do also enters into the equation.  If you engage in some moderate off-roading, like you do, then the WRs make enormous sense.  But if all you do is drive onto the grass at weekend garden parties, maybe a more highway oriented tire works.  The Michelin Pilot Sports have a pretty aggressive looking tread for a road tire...

[mox575]

I can't even get the Nokians in my area. I would have to drive 400 miles(643 Kilometers) just to get a set. Might be worth the trip though.   http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[coastal]

And yet another great review for the Nokians. Yep, that's done it for me, but I still want to roll off a few more K's on the Scorpions. I'm at 47,000KM so far and as I've mentioned the Scorpions have been ok for me, though I do want some fresh tread for the Winter.

We've had an extremely dry Fall here in BC, but it finally started to rain today so snow isn't too far off.

[wiz]

mox575, you'll be able to order them on the internet. Try Greer Enterprises (http://www.dias.net/~greerent/), they've been selling Nokians for a while. You can call them at 1-800-325-2598. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Stu in Oregon]

Wiz,

I appreciate your follow up on the Pilots but you also basically included my reply in your post. I actually drive our XCs on lots of dirt roads (maintained). I am not "off-roading", but on an average of three weekends a month I find myself on the dirt access roads of various rivers such as the Deschutes. One of my favorite fly fishing haunts involves a 1500 foot elevation drop in 8/10s of a mile down the side of a lava plateau! It is a well maintained road, but it is steep with lots of loose stuff on top. Throw a little rain into the mix, and you can see why for my usage, the WRs are great. Also of importance to me is a usefull sidewall. Low profile sidewalls are not good on a road with a shale base. Just ask my best fishing buddy about the two very expensive made-just-for-the-Audi-allroad tires he has replaced because of pinched sidewalls! Of course I wont tell about how bad he smokes me on Highway 197 going south from Maupin towards Madras and Redmond!

[wiz]

Certainly agree about the sidewall, Stu. The sidewall on the Pilot Sport tire that fits the XC looks about the same as the Scorpion - the OD is 27.0" so the sidewall has to be about the same.

The extent of my non-tarmac driving is grass. Very different to you! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I think we'll keep the Scorpions for a while, they're a bit vague but at least none of them are out-of-round. Some of the denizens of this board have had bad experiences with them... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Hiro's XC]

One other place to consider is Suburban tire in Glendale
Heights, IL. They have been consistantly better on price on the Nokiams than Greer. At least in my experience to the tune of over $20 a tire. That may have changed, but once you quote me $135 for a $90 tire I'm not comming back.

Also! As much as I love my Nokians I have had some issues. I had one out of round and they replaced it no questions asked. I have another slightly out that i have been dealing with but will be taking back today or tomorrow. Lets face it. The modern cars suspension is great but way more sensitive to tire and brake issues than in the past.

Jason.