[aristokratika]

Well, winter is approaching slowly but surely here in New England. After giving it a thought I've decided to stick with OEM size for tires. So my options currently are: Conti VancoFourSeasons (out of the question, if I were in Miami then yes), snow/ice suicidal Hankook - out of the window, Firestone Transforce HT or A/T in our size are available but no warranty for commercial tires, so I read. Nokian WR C3 All-Weather - interesting proposition. They should be great in snow/ice and just good for all other seasons (soft compound that can wear out faster then all-season tire). Last contender on the list is Cooper Discoverer HT3 in OEM size and load range E.
Put them on today on one of our T-350 XLT. Felt immediate difference. 14/32 is the thread depth. They feel quieter then stock on highway, they steer very precisely (sometimes too much for my taste), very easy to "over steer" the vehicle, no noticeable vibration, very "confident" driving, very good in exits and turns, vehicle gained "roll stability". I think the attribute of "rib" shoulder on the tire. So far so good! Will see how they perform in snow as it is very important to me. The center thread reminds me of Michelin M/S2 that I run on all E-250 and E-350. The second van is getting Nokian WR C3 next week. The price out of the door for Coopers was $168.07 per tire. Nokians were $157.00 per tire. I got both sets in Vianor Concord, NH as they had a Fall sale with mount and balance included.

 

[aristokratika]

Closeup

 

[Forrest]

I also switched to the Cooper Discoverer HT3 and concur with your assessment.

 

[Andre Jones]

Well, winter is approaching slowly but surely here in New England. After giving it a thought I've decided to stick with OEM size for tires. So my options currently are: Conti VancoFourSeasons (out of the question, if I were in Miami then yes), snow/ice suicidal Hankook - out of the window, Firestone Transforce HT or A/T in our size are available but no warranty for commercial tires, so I read. Nokian WR C3 All-Weather - interesting proposition. They should be great in snow/ice and just good for all other seasons (soft compound that can wear out faster then all-season tire). Last contender on the list is Cooper Discoverer HT3 in OEM size and load range E.
Put them on today on one of our T-350 XLT. Felt immediate difference. 14/32 is the thread depth. They feel quieter then stock on highway, they steer very precisely (sometimes too much for my taste), very easy to "over steer" the vehicle, no noticeable vibration, very "confident" driving, very good in exits and turns, vehicle gained "roll stability". I think the attribute of "rib" shoulder on the tire. So far so good! Will see how they perform in snow as it is very important to me. The center thread reminds me of Michelin M/S2 that I run on all E-250 and E-350. The second van is getting Nokian WR C3 next week. The price out of the door for Coopers was $168.07 per tire. Nokians were $157.00 per tire. I got both sets in Vianor Concord, NH as they had a Fall sale with mount and balance included.

Very interested in knowing how they do in the snow. Along those lines I think I will need to save my pennies and see how the Vanco4s handle the snow and be prepared to buy a replacement if they don't work out.

 

[bbird]

Well, winter is approaching slowly but surely here in New England. After giving it a thought I've decided to stick with OEM size for tires. So my options currently are: Conti VancoFourSeasons (out of the question, if I were in Miami then yes), snow/ice suicidal Hankook - out of the window, Firestone Transforce HT or A/T in our size are available but no warranty for commercial tires, so I read. Nokian WR C3 All-Weather - interesting proposition. They should be great in snow/ice and just good for all other seasons (soft compound that can wear out faster then all-season tire). Last contender on the list is Cooper Discoverer HT3 in OEM size and load range E.
Put them on today on one of our T-350 XLT. Felt immediate difference. 14/32 is the thread depth. They feel quieter then stock on highway, they steer very precisely (sometimes too much for my taste), very easy to "over steer" the vehicle, no noticeable vibration, very "confident" driving, very good in exits and turns, vehicle gained "roll stability". I think the attribute of "rib" shoulder on the tire. So far so good! Will see how they perform in snow as it is very important to me. The center thread reminds me of Michelin M/S2 that I run on all E-250 and E-350. The second van is getting Nokian WR C3 next week. The price out of the door for Coopers was $168.07 per tire. Nokians were $157.00 per tire. I got both sets in Vianor Concord, NH as they had a Fall sale with mount and balance included.

The Nokians will blow away the coopers, not even in the same league

 

[brownbear]

I get my nokian Hak LT's next week. Studded.

I've run them on a few other vehicles and found them to be amazing, so it will be nice to try them on this van.

 

[aristokratika]

I also switched to the Cooper Discoverer HT3 and concur with your assessment.

did you have snow experience with them?

 

[aristokratika]

The Nokians will blow away the coopers, not even in the same league

maybe but if they last me 1 year i will not use them for my fleet needs. longevity is as important as snow traction.

 

[brownbear]

maybe but if they last me 1 year i will not use them for my fleet needs. longevity is as important as snow traction.

Typically that doesn't go hand and hand together. If they are good in winter they need to be softer. They key is having two sets of tires, and not using winter tires in the summer. That is why I like dedicated winter tires.

But the firestone transforce I have on ford excursion I have been impressed with. That may also be an okay option for some longevity.

Somehow with my hancook hockey pucks I see them lasting a very long time. But I won't even try driving them in the winter.

 

[Forrest]

No snow experience yet.

 

[bbird]

maybe but if they last me 1 year i will not use them for my fleet needs. longevity is as important as snow traction.

I live in Buffalo, which only has two seasons, Construction, and winter. I have about 15,000 miles on my Nokians and they are about 1/2 worn. Which is not bad verse's being in a ditch.

I own a $35,000.00 van I will gladly spend $800.00 Mounted for winter tires than damage my van

 

[aristokratika]

I live in Buffalo, which only has two seasons, Construction, and winter. I have about 15,000 miles on my Nokians and they are about 1/2 worn. Which is not bad verse's being in a ditch.

I own a $35,000.00 van I will gladly spend $800.00 Mounted for winter tires than damage my van

Do you have WRC3 all-weather Nokians?

 

[PeterR]

bbird, could you please confirm the size and style of Nokians you have, and your retailer? I saw some old posts of yours, but am not sure if the Nokians you bought back then are still active models.

aristokratika, wondering if Vianor was able to find your tires, and could you confirm the size also please?

Thanks,

Peter

I live in Buffalo, which only has two seasons, Construction, and winter. I have about 15,000 miles on my Nokians and they are about 1/2 worn. Which is not bad verse's being in a ditch.

I own a $35,000.00 van I will gladly spend $800.00 Mounted for winter tires than damage my van

. . .
The second van is getting Nokian WR C3 next week. The price out of the door for Coopers was $168.07 per tire. Nokians were $157.00 per tire. I got both sets in Vianor Concord, NH as they had a Fall sale with mount and balance included.

 

[TheLoxmyth]

Oh boy, I'm excited!

At 19,500 I just had them put on 4 Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3 235/65R16 C 121/119 R (E Rated) snow tires [CLICKABLE LINK] for less than I used to pay for my E-350's tires!
(I NEVER got more than 12,000 miles on my E-350 tires. PLUS, my fuel economy is 11-14 mpg compared to 8-11 in the 2005 E-350. I'm loaded. That's why I got a T-350.)

 

[impatient]

Dear Cooper, please bring out a Discoverer HT3 in the LT245/70r16e size. As long as it has slightly less square shoulder than the AT3 it should fit well...and fit my style (less noise, but somewhat decent traction I hope). You already have the carcuss I presume.

Dear Michelin, you too: LTX MS Defender in that size, or maybe in LTX/AT. 225/75 are just too skinny, and assume higher load rating vs 116 might be a positive.

245/75 won't fit on my Transit...don't know how others are doing it. Some admit slight rubbing.

 

[aristokratika]

took empty 15 passenger van with Coopers on highway, at 75 mph (we rarely go that fast, just for testing) the rear of the van started swaying from side to side a little upon changing lanes. Had to "catch" the van with corrective steering. i think sidewall is a bit on the soft side - not necessary bad thing if you are transporting people. just FYI.

 

[bbird]

bbird, could you please confirm the size and style of Nokians you have, and your retailer? I saw some old posts of yours, but am not sure if the Nokians you bought back then are still active models.

aristokratika, wondering if Vianor was able to find your tires, and could you confirm the size also please?

Thanks,

Peter

235/65/16C Dunn tire, thius is not an all weather tire, It has the snowflake symbol on the side. Winter use only

 

[aristokratika]

Second van got Nokian WR C3 235/65/16 121/119R all-weather tire. The thread is relatively shallow at 10/32 I highly skeptical they will last 2 winters. They are made in Russia (might be an explanation for a cheaper price). Most likely I will run them November-March and then change to Conties to get more life out of them. These do have snowflake symbol but considered all-weather tire. Nokian says you can use them year round.

 

[Hoosier 45]

How much of a hit in MPG are people taking with the Nokian WR C3?

Thanks

 

[cara3321]

I just got the Nokian WRC3 235/65/16 for my medium roof ecoboost transit and wow am I amazed at the traction in the snow.. I had the Hancook OEM tires and they are absolutely TERRIBLE in the snow.
These nokians are directional tires which means they must be installed so they roll in the proper direction, they pump/expel water, slush, and snow due to the directional tread design. Here I was worried that the small OEM design was the problem. Glad I was wrong.