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      02-06-2014, 04:31 PM   #1
richardew
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Pirelli Sottozeros revisited

This is my third winter with these tires. They are at the end of their wear cycle. The first two winters were without snow for the most part, so I only had the opportunity to experience their cold weather prowess. This winter is one of the top ten in the Phila area. I am happy with these tires. Monday morning I left Southern Virginia at 0730 and pointed my X3 north. I drove through driving rain, then sleet/freezing rain, and then snow. The highways were O'k for the most part, just some slush. As I proceeded around Phila (on the blue route) the left lane was snow covered but traffic was light and there was no reason to test it. Once I got off of the highways there was about 8" of unplowed snow. The X3 handled it without a hiccup, that is until I tried to turn into my driveway. I missed a bit (hit the curb) and got stuck. I switched to sport plus, which turns off the traction control and rocked the x3 out of it. I pulled up on the street (it's easier to remove the snow if it hasn't been driven on) and cleared the driveway, then put the x3 into the garage. As far as I'm concerned these tires get a pass (I grade on a pass fail system ). Either they work well in the snow (pass) or they don't (fail). I've got 10 years of driving with winter tires using Blizzaks, Dunlops, and now the Pirelli's. I give them all a pass. My experience on z rated and all season crappolas - fail. Some rate these on a 10 point scale vs other brands but the fact of the matter is that we don't get to test them with identical vehicles under identical conditions and in IMHO that's just pseudo science.
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      02-07-2014, 02:36 PM   #2
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I give the Sottozero tires a 6/10... about the same as a quality all-season tire in the snow. The Pirelli's are more suited to snow-free cold surfaces.

I'm getting Blizzaks for next season... I prefer tires with more aggressive tread blocks for turning and stopping.
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      02-08-2014, 09:44 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
I give the Sottozero tires a 6/10... about the same as a quality all-season tire in the snow. The Pirelli's are more suited to snow-free cold surfaces.

I'm getting Blizzaks for next season... I prefer tires with more aggressive tread blocks for turning and stopping.
I have 19" Blizzaks and am very satisfied with the performance in this nasty winter.
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      02-08-2014, 11:06 PM   #4
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Well, we are finally getting some snow tonight - maybe I'll have some first hand thoughts on my Sottlozeros in the near future.
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      02-09-2014, 08:09 AM   #5
lbjgh
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hehe, enjoy the snow DonC... slow down for the turns the Pirreli's don't like turning.

As a side note I love snow too but I've had quite enough this year...
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Well, we are finally getting some snow tonight - maybe I'll have some first hand thoughts on my Sottlozeros in the near future.
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      02-09-2014, 09:52 AM   #6
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It's time you guys start lookin at Nokian's, you'll never look back again.
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      02-09-2014, 10:54 AM   #7
lbjgh
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Yep, I've had a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi and they were pretty good but after a bit of wear they lost some of the effectiveness. Blizzaks seam to provide grip further into their life span.

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Originally Posted by BeeMdblU View Post
It's time you guys start lookin at Nokian's, you'll never look back again.
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      02-09-2014, 06:27 PM   #8
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Not many miles on the Sottlozeros yet but they work well this morning. I really like the PA2s on our TL-S so when these are down to 5/32 or so I may get a set.
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      02-09-2014, 08:05 PM   #9
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Are the Pirelli's the only offering? We are waiting on our 2014 to be built, and over the weekend after a trip to VT I was wondering about the tire selection. I studied tires a lot on the Audi's but the Mrs. decided on the BMW last minute and it's one detail I missed lol
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      02-09-2014, 08:34 PM   #10
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Quote:
Are the Pirelli's the only offering? We are waiting on our 2014 to be built, and over the weekend after a trip to VT I was wondering about the tire selection. I studied tires a lot on the Audi's but the Mrs. decided on the BMW last minute and it's one detail I missed lol
It changes year to year. I just looked at tire rack and they don't have the Sottozerros available in 19" but they do have them in 18". They have 4 sets from Dunlap, a different Pirelli, and my favorite - Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32. I'll be ready for a new set in the fall and I hope the Blizzaks are still around.
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