Need new tires buy Winter Set now or get All-Seasons?

[metallimonster]

So I need new tires on my 02 i35.  Last year (first year owning it) it sucked balls in the snow so I wanted to get them before winter hits.  I can go on the old ones until November/December.  Just searched Craig's list and found a nice set of rims with Pirelli Winter tires on them.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/pts/1948972738.html

My question is- am I better off getting something like these now and making it through winter and then buying summer tires this winter/spring or should I just get all-seasons.  The problem with these rims is that they are already nicer than my stock rims which are flaking.  So it will be a downgrade in looks in the summer months.

Just looking to get a reacation on whether or not winter tires make an actuall difference.

[Oldfisti]

Winter tires make a HUGE difference!  So much more traction available compared to the all-seasons.  Crappy road conditions are made safe(and fun). Imagine looking forward to the next snowstorm... just so you can get the chance to drive around!

All-season tires spin quite a bit during the winter which tends to reduce the treadlife. They're also marginal when it comes to agressive warm-weather driving.  They do everything, but not well.

[metallimonster]

Looks like I have my answer then.

I drive farily aggresively in summer and got no traction what so ever in winter last year. 

Just sucks that I'll probably end up buying new rims for the winter tires and paying to have these nicer rims (if there still available) swapped for summer tires.

[numbskull]

If you need to drive in snow, winter tires are a must. All-seasons don't cut it.

[Popeye the Sailor]

If you wanna be anal about it, buy those, get the snows mounted on current rims, so when summer comes, you have the nice rims on.

But definitely two sets of rims and tires over all seasons. More better.

[TJR178]

I agree with Mr. Inc.

Two sets are best.  I have my summer tires on my stock sport wheels and a set of winter tires (Blizzaks) on some Mille Miglia's that I had powdercoated.  Do yourself a favor and get another set of tires and wheels.  Hell, even steel wheels will work, it's winter, so who cares. 

Blizzaks FTW!  I feel invincible with mine in snow*.

*Note: I have quattro, so that's a whole 'nother ball game.

[JEFF_H]

We have Blizzaks (or as i call them mothafukin Blizzaks) on stock wheels, and summer Yokos on aftermarket wheels on the Mini S

That little car does better in the snow than my 4 wheel drive truck.

[zooom]

Blizzaks are the shiznit...and those winter Pirelli's and how well they will do, will depends on how long the guy before you ran them...

but yes on what others have said about Winters on the stock rims and a new set of rims for the summer jizzonks!

[spolic]

If you need to drive in snow, winter tires are a must. All-seasons don't cut it.

Even my AWD Subaru is MUCH more happy with it's winter shoes on.

[Monsterlover]

+1 to snows. I run 4 snows on steel wheels on my accord. I only ran them for a month last winter so I was already through the worst of it.

They're studless but if they don't do so well in the severe part of winter I'll have studs put in them (they're studable)

All seasons suck all the time. The only time they have any value is if you don't drive much and don't want to mess with two sets of wheels and tires.

[lethe]

Separate set of rims/tires for both of our cars too.