dgiturbo

As a Conti user, it getting to the time again where tires are needed before the Midwest winter comes. With 60000 miles on the vehicle I am not that happy about buying my 3rd set of tires. I know that I should be glad I am getting 20k+ miles per tire as compared to others, but 35K plus would be better, even for an SUV.
In doing some research, I came across these tires made by Nokian in Finland. They appear to have been around about 100 years. Has anyone ever heard of them or tried the tires?

The tire model I a considering is the Nokian WRG2 SUV.

Any info or better suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

lkchris

Yes, they're considered by many the ultimate snow tire.

FWIW I have some Nokians on my motorcycle trailer and in big lettering on the sidewalls it says "Engineered in Finland." In really small lettering it says "Made in PRC." Your suggested model could be different.

Baloo588

Why aren't you looking at the Michelins? They last longer than the contis. I have the Michelins MXV4 and they last 45,000 miles each. I am on my second set of those and my ML350 has 70,000 miles on it. It does an amazing job in the heavy snow in the midwest. I have the 17 inch rims btw.

360º

yes, they're really good, had them on my bmw

DUTCH

My factory Contis went 30,000 miles. The replacement Michelin Latitudes went 25,000 miles. Both sets were with tire pressure adjusted weekly, rotation every 5,000 miles and front end alignment checks. So much for the Michelins lasting longer.

I now have Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S tires on the vehicle; and it is riding and driving better than it did when new. They are not snow tires, however.

markpgizmo

dgi turbo,

I just moved to Libertyville, IL last November from San Diego (no I am not crazy I am just sick of wild fires and evacuating). I barely made it through the winter with the Contis. I only have 15,000 on them and they are already at the wear bar.

I am considering Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico's and getting a set of winter wheels/tires.

The tires you are looking at are intriguing. Is there somewhere local you can get the Nokian's?

roadrutz

dgiturbo: Anybody familiar with competitive rallying in northern areas knows Nokians well. I have been using them and Hakkapelittas (same company, more extreme snow tires) for over 35 years. I now have Nokian WRs on my PT Cruiser; they are the only all-season tire I will even consider using, and they are the only all-season tire that qualifies for the snowflake symbol that means approval as a full snow tire. I don't know how they will last on your ML, but on my Cruiser they have done over 35,000 km (21,000 mi) and are not even half worn. If you search X5 boards, you'll find a number of people who use them on their BMWs. I have yet to read a negative comment about them.

And if you are into trivia: yes, they did start life as the same company that makes cellphones!

lkchris

Cabelas used to sell and I have a pair of Nokian green rubber Wellington-style boots.

1st amg

I have had lots of experience with these, I had them on my wifes 2007 BMW 5series for three years and will be getting a set now for the 2009 ML350 that we traded the BMW for, they are regarded as the BEST winter tire, they are phenomenal, my brother had them on his Volvo XC90 and he swears by them, in fact he is getting a set as well for his 2009 R320 Bluetec, my father has a set for his 2007 ML350 and I have driven it many times in deep snow, icy conditions, slush you name it, they are the best tire I have used for those conditions. I have had numerous other winter tires for other cars to compare to, such as Dunlop Sport winter, Pirelli P210 Winter, Pirelli Winter sport etc, so I do have first had cpmparison experience, if I were you I would get them. as posted previous they are also known as Hakkapalitas tires. Good luck!!

lkchris

Haka ... is just a model name. Once upon a time it was the only one.

C-rod

Pirelli Ice and Snow's for the last 10 years, on all my ML's...Personally speaking, with the winter's, we Canadians face, it is a quality tire...

PowderSkier

Installed some Nokian WRG2's on my ML550 5,000 miles ago, much better ride quality and wear than Conti's on dry pavement, but have yet to use in snow yet. However, I had similar Nokian WR all season tires on my 2001 Audi allroad for many years, and they are excellent winter tires, especiallly for an all season tire and better than decent tires in summer as well. I never needed chains in some very severe Sierra winters with the Nokian WR's and the wear and ride quality was excellent.

Only downside is they are hard to find, so I bought mine on the internet and had them shipped, so could be a small problem if you damage a tire and need replaced as it will take a few days at least. Nonetheless, highly recommended all season tires with superior winter performance to Michelin or any others!:Unless you want/need a dedicated winter tire, they are a great option.

roadrutz

Any Nokian called WR-anything is an all-weather tire. Any Nokian Hakkapelitta is a true winter tire. Any Nokian just called Nokian is a summer tire. All three types have SUV versions. If you can't find them locally, Tire Factory (www.tirefactory.net) sells them over the Internet. In Canada, I bought mine from OK Tire.

dgiturbo

Thanks for all the info. From what I see, everyone loves them, and rave about their winter traction and 50000 mile life span. I am definitely going to get a set, and from what I see, prices are around $250 or so per tire.
Thanks again, once I install them, I will let everyone know what I find.


markpgizmo, welcome to the Midwest. Last winter was a little rough, but sad to say most folks here think this one will be worse.

The reason I like these Nokians is I don't have to buy another set of wheels and swap out every 6 months. 1 tire for all seasons, with the snow emblem, and I can get 50K miles.

As for the tires, it looks like "Suburban Tires" can get them and price installed seems reasonable. Never been to their facility, but they claim to be familiar with TPMS and use a very good mounting machine. Will let you know once I install them.

cschmelz

DG and I corresponded via email but for everyone else I have a year on my Nokian WR G2s on my ML320CDI and love them. A little 'squishier' in the summer but fantastic year round and did great in the Washington Cascades snow up and down to the ski hill all winter long.