Looking to order a set of winter tires/rims before the snow flies here in Chicago. Tirerack is recommending the General Altimax Arctic, but I had been looking at the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 or Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3. I'd like the best grip I can buy, though I don't want to overspend just for the sake of a certain brand name if the grip and performance is no better. Any recommendations?

 

if you have an AWD i'd just leave the OEM tires on there

 

Alpin PA3s are good, as are the Blizzaks. TireRack has a ton of videos showing the nuances between the tires (studless snow/ice vs performance winter).

 

Really? I had read in a couple places that the Eagle RS-A leaves something to be desired in snow. They perform well in the winter?

 

You have read corretly about the RS-As. They are dangerous in snow. An AWD may help some but there is no way I would use them as a winter tire again. I checked Tire Rack for my G37X and the web site also recommended the General Altimax Arctic but when I went to order them the website was not functioning correctly so I had to call. The person I talked to reccommended the Blizzak WS70s so that's what I got. Haven't had them on yet so I can't give any report.
But again I would not use the RS-As as a winter tire.

 

+1 for the best grip I would go with the Alpin PA3s. If you want performance stay with the stock All Seasons.

 

I have a g37xS and I absolutely disagree with da mayor's recommendation. All-seasons suck in the winter and cold. They're a horrible compromise and with modern performance snow tires, you'll get way better traction with them.

When you say grip, what do you mean? Do you want ice grip, snow grip, dry grip?

The PA3 is a performance winter tire, meaning that it's optimized for dry cold winter pavement, but designed to do well in snow and ice. The Blizzak WS70 is a studless ice and snow tire designed for optimal performance on crappy winter conditions (aka snow and ice), but it's also a T rated tire (slower than the standard V performance tires), and suffers in grip significantly on dry pavement.

But, given you already have an AWD, the PA3s are probably a good choice. It's what I have on my g37xS on 17's.

 

RS-A sucks in any wet condition. I'm amazed that Infiniti puts such a cruddy tire on from the factory when there are much much better tires for less money

might want to look at the Conti DWS if you choose to stay with an all-season

 

RS-A's just suck period. Dry, wet, snow, doesn't matter, awful tire.

 

+1 to this. Just plain awful.

When spring rolls around, I'll be shopping for for some good summer tires (got the hankook iPikes on right now).

 

Pilot Alpin PA3 is not a hardcore winter tire. That said, if you have AWD, you will be fine in the heavy snow with careful driving. These are the first winter tires I have used that are actually enjoyable in the wet and dry.

 

My best experience with winter tires is the Dunlop Sport M3/3D. They handle pretty well on dry but the best in deep snow. I've had bad experiences with Blizzaks LM-25s, and I currently have Michelin Alpin PA2 right now, which are more performance oriented.

If you live in the snow belt and frequently get more than 3" of snow fall, get the Dunlops.

 

The studless ice/snow tires tend to be more aggressive and handle harsher snow/ice best of the bunch. You'll trade some handling and a little quicker wear for the better traction.

The performance winter tires will handle better on clear days/plowed roads. They will last a tad longer but won't have as good ice/snow traction if you see harsher conditions.

The studdable winter tires are lowest of the bunch. Better than an all season but more an intro snow tire.