Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 (Nordic compound) Winter Tyres
Discussion
I’ve used a number of winter tyres over the years on my performance BMW’s, with varying levels of success. I’ve used the following tyres on the following cars in the past, with the results listed.
1st Set - Vredestein Wintrac Extreme – BMW E46 M3 – Snow – Very Good, Ice – Good, Wet/Cold Roads – Very Good, Dry Handling – Very Good.
2nd Set - Pirelli Sottozero - BMW E46 M3 – Snow – Average, Ice – Average, Wet/Cold Roads – Very Good, Dry Handling – Excellent.
3rd Set - Continental WinterContact TS 830P SSR 205/50 R17 89H* (Runflat) – BMW M135i - Snow – Average, Ice – Average, Wet/Cold Roads – Good, Dry Handling – Acceptable. (Current OEM BMW Winter Tyre)
Whilst I’m a complete winter tyre convert, and I would recommend anyone who needs to use their car daily throughout the winter to purchase a set of winter tyres, I have also been stuck or found myself having difficulty finding traction, despite these winter tyres, in a few situations.
I think it’s worth noting that in addition to driving throughout the winter in North East Scotland on normal roads, commuting, car parks etc. I also like to travel up to the Highlands, through the glens, up and down steep hills, farm tracks, visit the Glenshee and Lecht ski-resorts etc. I like to be able to go EVERYWHERE and the occasions that I’ve found myself having problems due to lack of traction have been variable, i.e. sometimes it’s at the bottom of a steep hill and I’ve struggled to get going, but sometimes it’s been on the flat and it just seems to be a problem patch of ice under the snow etc. Although the winter tyres make an amazing difference, they do not make you invincible and enable you to drive on all roads in all circumstances. I’m an experienced driver with many miles under my belt in a variety of different cars, but despite this, if the tyre is struggling for grip, there’s only so much you can do to overcome that using driving style etc. I have occasionally been sitting parked in traffic on a particularly icy steep road and felt the car begin to creep/slide on the ice.
After trying the tyres above and reading many reviews etc., I’m interested in getting the very best possible winter tyre that I can. From what I’ve read, Nordic (Scandinavian Europe & Canada / North America) tyres are different from what we are normally supplied with in the UK, which are called “European” / Performance / All-Season winters, depending on who is describing them. The biggest difference I can see is that the ‘Nordic’ winter tyres perform a LOT better on snow and ice, but there is some trade off for handling and feel / speed ratings during wet or dry winter driving. For someone who lives in London or somewhere similar, or indeed the vast majority of the UK, the main winter conditions they are likely to face would be mostly cold wet / dry / frosty roads, so I can see the appeal of “European” performance winter tyres. However, when you are stuck on a particularly slippery section of road leading to a Highland ski resort or similar, you really want the maximum amount of winter performance on snow and ice!! Is it worth giving up some wet/dry grip and handling most of the winter, for increased performance in the couple of weeks we have snow?
My question is, I’m thinking about replacing the tyres on my BMW M135i with either Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 205/50 R17 93R XL Nordic compound or Continental WinterContact TS 850P 205/50 R17 93H XL(Updated non-Run-Flat version of the TS 830 P OEM winter package I have now). Does anyone have any experience of using Nordic winter tyres in Scotland, in particular the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 205/50 R17 93R XL, or does anyone have any views or advice they could share?
Which tyres do people think I should choose for my circumstances?
1st Set - Vredestein Wintrac Extreme – BMW E46 M3 – Snow – Very Good, Ice – Good, Wet/Cold Roads – Very Good, Dry Handling – Very Good.
2nd Set - Pirelli Sottozero - BMW E46 M3 – Snow – Average, Ice – Average, Wet/Cold Roads – Very Good, Dry Handling – Excellent.
3rd Set - Continental WinterContact TS 830P SSR 205/50 R17 89H* (Runflat) – BMW M135i - Snow – Average, Ice – Average, Wet/Cold Roads – Good, Dry Handling – Acceptable. (Current OEM BMW Winter Tyre)
Whilst I’m a complete winter tyre convert, and I would recommend anyone who needs to use their car daily throughout the winter to purchase a set of winter tyres, I have also been stuck or found myself having difficulty finding traction, despite these winter tyres, in a few situations.
I think it’s worth noting that in addition to driving throughout the winter in North East Scotland on normal roads, commuting, car parks etc. I also like to travel up to the Highlands, through the glens, up and down steep hills, farm tracks, visit the Glenshee and Lecht ski-resorts etc. I like to be able to go EVERYWHERE and the occasions that I’ve found myself having problems due to lack of traction have been variable, i.e. sometimes it’s at the bottom of a steep hill and I’ve struggled to get going, but sometimes it’s been on the flat and it just seems to be a problem patch of ice under the snow etc. Although the winter tyres make an amazing difference, they do not make you invincible and enable you to drive on all roads in all circumstances. I’m an experienced driver with many miles under my belt in a variety of different cars, but despite this, if the tyre is struggling for grip, there’s only so much you can do to overcome that using driving style etc. I have occasionally been sitting parked in traffic on a particularly icy steep road and felt the car begin to creep/slide on the ice.
After trying the tyres above and reading many reviews etc., I’m interested in getting the very best possible winter tyre that I can. From what I’ve read, Nordic (Scandinavian Europe & Canada / North America) tyres are different from what we are normally supplied with in the UK, which are called “European” / Performance / All-Season winters, depending on who is describing them. The biggest difference I can see is that the ‘Nordic’ winter tyres perform a LOT better on snow and ice, but there is some trade off for handling and feel / speed ratings during wet or dry winter driving. For someone who lives in London or somewhere similar, or indeed the vast majority of the UK, the main winter conditions they are likely to face would be mostly cold wet / dry / frosty roads, so I can see the appeal of “European” performance winter tyres. However, when you are stuck on a particularly slippery section of road leading to a Highland ski resort or similar, you really want the maximum amount of winter performance on snow and ice!! Is it worth giving up some wet/dry grip and handling most of the winter, for increased performance in the couple of weeks we have snow?
My question is, I’m thinking about replacing the tyres on my BMW M135i with either Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 205/50 R17 93R XL Nordic compound or Continental WinterContact TS 850P 205/50 R17 93H XL(Updated non-Run-Flat version of the TS 830 P OEM winter package I have now). Does anyone have any experience of using Nordic winter tyres in Scotland, in particular the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 205/50 R17 93R XL, or does anyone have any views or advice they could share?
Which tyres do people think I should choose for my circumstances?
I live in the Scottish Highlands nr Aviemore and get around in winter on a full set of winter tyres on my E39 530d, currently shod with Pirelli 210 Snowsport. In the past I've had Gislaved and Vredestein winter rubber fitted and all have performed well.
Is one brand any better than the other? I'm not sure I could differentiate but I reckon driver inputs on a BMW rwd car when on snow/ice is a more significant factor than the brand of winter tyre, just so long as the tyres are from a better known European, not Far Eastern manufacturer.
You seem to have had a positive experience with Vredestein so why not stick with them? The Nokian tyres you mention seem quite expensive in comparison.
Is one brand any better than the other? I'm not sure I could differentiate but I reckon driver inputs on a BMW rwd car when on snow/ice is a more significant factor than the brand of winter tyre, just so long as the tyres are from a better known European, not Far Eastern manufacturer.
You seem to have had a positive experience with Vredestein so why not stick with them? The Nokian tyres you mention seem quite expensive in comparison.
As posted above I think that exactly which model/brand of good/proper winter tyre from a major manufacturer you pick is secondary to the fact that you've chosen winter tyres rather than summer or "all season" tyres. After that the only significant thing you can change is the use of studs - they improve grip on hard-packed snow or ice but reduce grip on dry or wet roads. Are studded tyres legal in Scotland - I'm guessing they're not.
If winter grip is that important to you go with the narrowest tyres that fill fit the car and renew them after the tread depth drops to less than 4mm.
Any choice you make will always have a downside/compromise involved.
If winter grip is that important to you go with the narrowest tyres that fill fit the car and renew them after the tread depth drops to less than 4mm.
Any choice you make will always have a downside/compromise involved.
No, Nordic (Scandinavian) winter tyres are totally different to the ones sold in the UK and central Europe.
Finland, Norway, Sweden, Canada, and North America get totally different models of winter tyre that are not normally known or available here.
Big brand names such as Continental offer a completely different range of Nordic winter tyres to what is offered in Europe.
They are a different tread type / pattern and also different compound. For example, the Nokian Hakka's have microscopic crystals embedded within the rubber compound to increase grip on ice. The Nokian Hakkapeliita R2's have been hailed as the best Studless Winter Tyre in the world, although the Michelin X-ice3 is meant to be pretty close. The Michelin tyre is not available in the UK, but MyTyres are stocking the Nokian.
There is a huge difference (apparently) between these and the normal tyres offered in the UK, that's why I'm asking the question, as going to Nordic winter tyres is not simply a brand swap or preference.
Finland, Norway, Sweden, Canada, and North America get totally different models of winter tyre that are not normally known or available here.
Big brand names such as Continental offer a completely different range of Nordic winter tyres to what is offered in Europe.
They are a different tread type / pattern and also different compound. For example, the Nokian Hakka's have microscopic crystals embedded within the rubber compound to increase grip on ice. The Nokian Hakkapeliita R2's have been hailed as the best Studless Winter Tyre in the world, although the Michelin X-ice3 is meant to be pretty close. The Michelin tyre is not available in the UK, but MyTyres are stocking the Nokian.
There is a huge difference (apparently) between these and the normal tyres offered in the UK, that's why I'm asking the question, as going to Nordic winter tyres is not simply a brand swap or preference.
OP: Take your point about the Nordic rubber/tyre being different to regular winter tyres. It's a new one on me and very interesting.
However, a full set in your tyre size going to set you back £800. That's a lot. Only a little short of twice the price compared to conventional winter tyres? From a personal point of view, not sure if I could justify that premium over regular good quality winter rubber. If money were no object, then yes why not but I'd still need to be fully convinced of Nokian's performance claims before I splashed out on a set.
I too would be very interested to hear of any PHer's real-life experience of using these particular Nokians.
However, a full set in your tyre size going to set you back £800. That's a lot. Only a little short of twice the price compared to conventional winter tyres? From a personal point of view, not sure if I could justify that premium over regular good quality winter rubber. If money were no object, then yes why not but I'd still need to be fully convinced of Nokian's performance claims before I splashed out on a set.
I too would be very interested to hear of any PHer's real-life experience of using these particular Nokians.
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