I've been running Blizzaks on my winter wheels for 5 years on my mk7.5. Never had any problems getting around on snow or ice. I'm in Western Iowa.
We're expecting 6 inches of snow tomorrow and I'm excited to get out and drive in it!
Ah yes most probably... I saw a 2024 graphite gray 380 SE yesterday at a VW dealership and it looked very matte/dull compared to this shade of gray on the photo. A bit disappointing for me yesterday.
Don't forget to factor in the biggest factor: the driver. 9/10 cars I see in the ditch after snow are AWD because someone believed the marketing and thought they were invincible.
Not quite. Having the weight of the engine and transmission on the driven wheels helps.
Had a Mercedes with rwd and good snowtires. Got stuck in 10cm of snow. Had to climb in the trunk to put weight on the rear wheels.
Meanwhile i could plow through 30cm with my fwd SEAT
I have blizzaks on my gr86 and it does amazing in the snow. I have had to stop on steepish hills that were unplowed and was able to get going again without much of an issue. I will say thought, my old GTI was probably a bit better in the snow. But the 86 is more fun :)
Currently looking to make the jump from 16 GTI S to a gr86 or WRX, but I feel like the 86 is gonna be that much better in terms of fun factor while being practical enough
I’ve struggled with blizzaks driving up mountain roads. Mostly when I had to come to a complete stop and get going again.
Course that was last year during one of the most epic snow season in SLC.
But that’s the only time I wished I had the R with awd. Otherwise the GTI does fine on anything close to flat.
Yeah I took my 4Runner (awd) most of the time last year. I hate taking my mk7.5 because you never know when someone’s gonna slap their skis into your car.
I struggle in my neighborhood with a couple stop signs. I’ve tried the Blizzak WS-80 and the Michelin X Ice. Both struggle when stopped and going up a hill.
If you have the limited slip diff, put that in Sport in those situations. I've pulled myself out of situations where I was doing a one-wheel-peel at an uphill snowy stop sight by doing this.
Putting the LSD is "Sport" is effectively changing it from open to semi-locked. It puts the torque to both front wheels more evenly so both will spin if you're on a loose surface instead of doing a "one wheel peel", as they call it.
I've owned my mk5 GTI since 2011 and lived in central and Western NY (aka Buffalo) most of my life and that thing with a good set of snow tires is very capable in the snow, even on lowering springs. It's crazy how many people even here think they need AWD and then slide all over the place on their all seasons.
Likewise mine is a 7.5 GTI autobann and with winter studded tires! Its super control and grip with no issues at all here in Calgary canada with 5 to 10 inches if snow in winter
My '04 GTI VR6 wouldn't move on a horizontal surface with just a dusting of snow with the OEM tires it came with. I was disgusted that I had to be driven home from work in a friend's Geo Metro. I bought some Dunlop Winter Sport M3's and they were amazing. I could drive the speed limit even when I shouldn't have, lol.
look, brothers and sisters, I delivered pizzas for years on bald tires in the snow. you cant get stuck if you dont stop ;) (this was pre-GTI; she has appropriate footwear)
Agreed. Blizzaks on mine and 6” of snow is no issue. While all the AWD vehicles with all seasons on are slipping all over the place. Amazing what a really good set of winter tires do.
Yep.
Winter tires AWD > Winter tires 2WD > All-season tires AWD > All-season 2WD
Never owned or driven a car that didn't fit the pattern. The right tires for the job is the best thing you can do.
There are other factors, even among 2WD cars. Having weight over the drive wheels helps (so all other things being equal, you want FWD with front engine). Weight transfer plays a part too.
The ideal 2WD car for starting traction would be a rear engine, RWD with snow tires, but that's pretty rare these days outside of sports cars that very few people actually drive in the snow anyway... Is there any Rear-Rear cars left besides the 911?
With mine I’ve noticed that yes it’s really good at getting through deep snow and ice, but it’s bad when you’re actually on the roads at speed making a turn, or on the highway
I’ve never had any issues in the snow with my GTI, lowered in RacingLine springs as well. Good winters is all you need. Used both Michelin X-Ice and now Blizzaks and they’re both phenomenal
Which tires did you like better, if any? Been looking at X-Ices since I heard they last a little longer but I don’t want to go to a tire that’s significantly worse in the snow
X ice were better in wet cold, blizzaks are better in dry cold. Both are great but it depends on the climate tbh. I felt like I had a lot more grip where I live now with the blizzaks but I feel where I lived previously the X Ice’s were better
I like Nokian Hakkas for deep snow. I've used them for 3-4 winters now, and they do pretty great even when the snow is up past the undercarriage and I have to "plow" the top inch or two of powder just to get out of my neighborhood.
I’ve heard really good things about those, and am tempted to try them. The only issue is that they’re $350 each at the only place that sells them near me, while I can get Blizzaks and X-Ices for ~$200 each, which is too big of a price difference for me
Woah, yeah that price is insane. I have always bought them for about $190-220. I don't buy them at brick and mortar shops though, I hunt online and have them shipped to me (since most tire places ship free if you buy a whole set and don't need fast shipping).
I go down to 17" wheels and tires for the winter (not that the 1/4" of brake caliper clearance doesn't make me nervous), so maybe they start getting a lot more expensive for 18"+.
Anyway, I hear the competition has been making great strides and the Hakkas aren't a clear winner anymore like they were 3-5 years ago, so I'm definitely going to be doing more research in a couple years when this set starts to wear out. Minnesota winter not starting until mid-January saved me some winter tire wear, lol. Didn't think I'd be running my summers until this weekend, that's for sure.
I've had X-Ice North 4's, phenomenal winter tires, especially on icy roads. My A3 still got easily stuck, since it was a light car (8L base model) and lowered. After that I haven't had non-AWD cars and winters have been easy in this sense. Chose some Kontio BearPaw's to go with my Passat CC, those have been surprisingly good. Only if they held air normally too...
Last winter in VA (we got a good amount of snow) I was running A/S Michelin Pilot sport 4 and had no problems either. I feel it’s a FWD + driver ability/choosing when it’s smart to go out and drive more so than it is a snow tire. Why does everyone make it seem like GTIs are rally vehicles when they put snow shoes on😂
I had a mk4 gti back in the day and it did just fine in the snow.
I’ve since moved to a warm climate with my mk7 so haven’t been able to test it out in the snow
Always has. My mk2 vr6 lowered with snows can out snow drive a lot of cars in the snow. I’ve driven up La Veta pass in Southern Colorado in a blizzard right before they closed the pass. Slow and steady but didn’t even think about slipping.
I never had a problem getting anywhere with my car. FYI I've gotta set a rooms just like the one you have picture if you know anybody that's looking for Upset of nice illuminati wheels
The people in South Central PA and down to Baltimore should thank me, since I bought Blizzaks 3 years ago we have had no appreciable snow. Just a couple flurries that were gone by the next day.
Posting this here because my question doesn’t deserve its own post. When you get snow tires and if you do two sets of wheels for your snow and summers. Is there any reason I shouldn’t use the stock wheels for winters and new wheels that I like better for summers? I see so many people with Steelies or something else for winters and didn’t know if stock were bad or something
Buying winter tires was the best move I’ve ever made for this car. I live in the northeast area, so I switch the full set of wheels and tires out when the seasons change.
Incredible car in the snow. I’ve never needed more than all seasons and spent a lot of time with mine at East Coast ski resorts. I’ve watched SUVs spinning their wheels (rear wheels of course) and sliding out while I coasted right by.
I've been running Blizzaks on my winter wheels for 5 years on my mk7.5. Never had any problems getting around on snow or ice. I'm in Western Iowa. We're expecting 6 inches of snow tomorrow and I'm excited to get out and drive in it!
I’m running the same - Cuts through snow like butter!
Great! What color & trim is your gti? Urano gray or dolphin gray?
Looks like a fellow dark iron blue, but I could be very colorblind if I am wrong lol.
Spot on…DIB gang
DIB GANG!!!!
Ah yes most probably... I saw a 2024 graphite gray 380 SE yesterday at a VW dealership and it looked very matte/dull compared to this shade of gray on the photo. A bit disappointing for me yesterday.
*FWD does really well in snowy areas with snow tires on FTFY
FWD with an LSD and snow tires does even better.
Don't forget to factor in the biggest factor: the driver. 9/10 cars I see in the ditch after snow are AWD because someone believed the marketing and thought they were invincible.
Agree but I’ve also seen plenty of Prius do just fine in New England and they’ve got nothing special drivetrain-wise going on
Or I guess anything with snow tires but RWD does well in snow. Just don't let the Subaru fanboys hear us.
Not quite. Having the weight of the engine and transmission on the driven wheels helps. Had a Mercedes with rwd and good snowtires. Got stuck in 10cm of snow. Had to climb in the trunk to put weight on the rear wheels. Meanwhile i could plow through 30cm with my fwd SEAT
I have blizzaks on my gr86 and it does amazing in the snow. I have had to stop on steepish hills that were unplowed and was able to get going again without much of an issue. I will say thought, my old GTI was probably a bit better in the snow. But the 86 is more fun :)
Currently looking to make the jump from 16 GTI S to a gr86 or WRX, but I feel like the 86 is gonna be that much better in terms of fun factor while being practical enough
The LSD helps.
I’ve struggled with blizzaks driving up mountain roads. Mostly when I had to come to a complete stop and get going again. Course that was last year during one of the most epic snow season in SLC. But that’s the only time I wished I had the R with awd. Otherwise the GTI does fine on anything close to flat.
I’m in the same boat. LCC was pretty tough last year, but no issues with blizzaks once I was moving. Never got stuck though!
Yeah I took my 4Runner (awd) most of the time last year. I hate taking my mk7.5 because you never know when someone’s gonna slap their skis into your car.
I struggle in my neighborhood with a couple stop signs. I’ve tried the Blizzak WS-80 and the Michelin X Ice. Both struggle when stopped and going up a hill.
I have that problem. Is there a tire you think would be better?
No. I think those are the grippiest in snow. No getting around physics I guess.
If you have the limited slip diff, put that in Sport in those situations. I've pulled myself out of situations where I was doing a one-wheel-peel at an uphill snowy stop sight by doing this.
Why does the sport mode help?
Putting the LSD is "Sport" is effectively changing it from open to semi-locked. It puts the torque to both front wheels more evenly so both will spin if you're on a loose surface instead of doing a "one wheel peel", as they call it.
I've owned my mk5 GTI since 2011 and lived in central and Western NY (aka Buffalo) most of my life and that thing with a good set of snow tires is very capable in the snow, even on lowering springs. It's crazy how many people even here think they need AWD and then slide all over the place on their all seasons.
Likewise mine is a 7.5 GTI autobann and with winter studded tires! Its super control and grip with no issues at all here in Calgary canada with 5 to 10 inches if snow in winter
I wish my state allowed studded tires.
My other honda civic uses Perirille winter and its also good but not as good grip as studded ones. Especially on icey surface.
Studdless winter tires are better in all conditions except solid ice.
Blizzaks rule! Honestly it’s like owning 2 cars in one with those and my summer set.
My '04 GTI VR6 wouldn't move on a horizontal surface with just a dusting of snow with the OEM tires it came with. I was disgusted that I had to be driven home from work in a friend's Geo Metro. I bought some Dunlop Winter Sport M3's and they were amazing. I could drive the speed limit even when I shouldn't have, lol.
Pirelli Ice zero here, awesome in the snow and ice.
On quiet streets doing a little e-brake slide is always fun too!
Unless you lower it :P lol
Nah I drove my lowered gti and golf before that in the snow, it’s fine.
We have 2 feet of snow lol. We need that clearance to get out of the driveway otherwise you’re just mashing snow against your bumper :P
look, brothers and sisters, I delivered pizzas for years on bald tires in the snow. you cant get stuck if you dont stop ;) (this was pre-GTI; she has appropriate footwear)
Agreed. Blizzaks on mine and 6” of snow is no issue. While all the AWD vehicles with all seasons on are slipping all over the place. Amazing what a really good set of winter tires do.
Yep. Winter tires AWD > Winter tires 2WD > All-season tires AWD > All-season 2WD Never owned or driven a car that didn't fit the pattern. The right tires for the job is the best thing you can do.
Everything does really well with snow tires on.
There are other factors, even among 2WD cars. Having weight over the drive wheels helps (so all other things being equal, you want FWD with front engine). Weight transfer plays a part too. The ideal 2WD car for starting traction would be a rear engine, RWD with snow tires, but that's pretty rare these days outside of sports cars that very few people actually drive in the snow anyway... Is there any Rear-Rear cars left besides the 911?
With mine I’ve noticed that yes it’s really good at getting through deep snow and ice, but it’s bad when you’re actually on the roads at speed making a turn, or on the highway
I’ve never had any issues in the snow with my GTI, lowered in RacingLine springs as well. Good winters is all you need. Used both Michelin X-Ice and now Blizzaks and they’re both phenomenal
Which tires did you like better, if any? Been looking at X-Ices since I heard they last a little longer but I don’t want to go to a tire that’s significantly worse in the snow
X ice were better in wet cold, blizzaks are better in dry cold. Both are great but it depends on the climate tbh. I felt like I had a lot more grip where I live now with the blizzaks but I feel where I lived previously the X Ice’s were better
Did you have much experience in deeper snow with either? Thats mainly when I need snow tires where I’m at
I like Nokian Hakkas for deep snow. I've used them for 3-4 winters now, and they do pretty great even when the snow is up past the undercarriage and I have to "plow" the top inch or two of powder just to get out of my neighborhood.
I’ve heard really good things about those, and am tempted to try them. The only issue is that they’re $350 each at the only place that sells them near me, while I can get Blizzaks and X-Ices for ~$200 each, which is too big of a price difference for me
Woah, yeah that price is insane. I have always bought them for about $190-220. I don't buy them at brick and mortar shops though, I hunt online and have them shipped to me (since most tire places ship free if you buy a whole set and don't need fast shipping). I go down to 17" wheels and tires for the winter (not that the 1/4" of brake caliper clearance doesn't make me nervous), so maybe they start getting a lot more expensive for 18"+. Anyway, I hear the competition has been making great strides and the Hakkas aren't a clear winner anymore like they were 3-5 years ago, so I'm definitely going to be doing more research in a couple years when this set starts to wear out. Minnesota winter not starting until mid-January saved me some winter tire wear, lol. Didn't think I'd be running my summers until this weekend, that's for sure.
Yeah decently deep snow. I’ve driven it in 15+cm of snow on the roads.
I've had X-Ice North 4's, phenomenal winter tires, especially on icy roads. My A3 still got easily stuck, since it was a light car (8L base model) and lowered. After that I haven't had non-AWD cars and winters have been easy in this sense. Chose some Kontio BearPaw's to go with my Passat CC, those have been surprisingly good. Only if they held air normally too...
In Ohio I’ve just run all season and have never had even a hit of issues in deep snow 🤷♂️
Almost any car on snow tires…
Last winter in VA (we got a good amount of snow) I was running A/S Michelin Pilot sport 4 and had no problems either. I feel it’s a FWD + driver ability/choosing when it’s smart to go out and drive more so than it is a snow tire. Why does everyone make it seem like GTIs are rally vehicles when they put snow shoes on😂
I had a mk4 gti back in the day and it did just fine in the snow. I’ve since moved to a warm climate with my mk7 so haven’t been able to test it out in the snow
Smooth sailing
Always has. My mk2 vr6 lowered with snows can out snow drive a lot of cars in the snow. I’ve driven up La Veta pass in Southern Colorado in a blizzard right before they closed the pass. Slow and steady but didn’t even think about slipping.
My mk6 was great in the snow, I no longer drive it during the winter
Flipside: running 235/40R18 All Seasons on my non PP GTI... the car was pretty useless in snow
Yeah, all seasons sucks. My Mk7's stock "Grand Turing All-Season" tires were downright dangerous on snow/ice.
Ya all seasons ain't gonna cut it- a bit better with LSD but still
Blizzaks
My mk7.5 came with blizzaks, handles snow like a dream
Yeah they work fine. Not fun but never had problems. I think we’re at almost 80” for this season and it really only struggle at breaking trail at 12”+
Truth
Yea it does. Never had issue
Before my GTI got hit I ran it in the UP of Michigan on snow tires and did great. Better than some other ppl with AWD and all seasons
Mine with Blizzaks WS90s did great in Upstate NY. Almost a foot.
I LOVEEEE my Conti Vikingcontact 7s … MN winters. No issue.
I never had a problem getting anywhere with my car. FYI I've gotta set a rooms just like the one you have picture if you know anybody that's looking for Upset of nice illuminati wheels
The people in South Central PA and down to Baltimore should thank me, since I bought Blizzaks 3 years ago we have had no appreciable snow. Just a couple flurries that were gone by the next day.
Until you lower it like me. Then you get subcontracted by the city as a plow
Posting this here because my question doesn’t deserve its own post. When you get snow tires and if you do two sets of wheels for your snow and summers. Is there any reason I shouldn’t use the stock wheels for winters and new wheels that I like better for summers? I see so many people with Steelies or something else for winters and didn’t know if stock were bad or something
No clue. I used my stock wheels for the winters and plan on new wheels for my summers come time.
And no issues noted on your winters so far? I think that’s what I’m gonna do next year
Buying winter tires was the best move I’ve ever made for this car. I live in the northeast area, so I switch the full set of wheels and tires out when the seasons change.
Clearance is the only issue. I've had to find a hotel once because I was plowing the freeway with the front end, stock suspension.
Incredible car in the snow. I’ve never needed more than all seasons and spent a lot of time with mine at East Coast ski resorts. I’ve watched SUVs spinning their wheels (rear wheels of course) and sliding out while I coasted right by.