I am seriously considering purchasing snow tires for my 1.8TQM, but I was wondering about wear. How long (miles) before snow tires start to lose their effectiveness? Despite driving in NE snow for years, I've never got snow tires. I was just wondering how long they last due to their different rubber compound, etc. Thanks<br>

Kevin--<p>I previously posted a picture of my Nokian Hak 1's after about 14K miles on the front wheels,<br>right before I put them on again this year. If the link doesn't show up properly here, it's in the<br>picture poster on the main forum page under "Nokian". Anyway, the Hak 1's have a very long<br>wearing tread compound and will last longer than most snow tires. They are mid way in the softness or<br>speed rating category, so will do well in heavy snow and ice, but not be too mushy so as to be difficult<br>to drive on dry roads. There are plenty of good alternatives, and unless snow / ice traction will be a<br>regular need over the winter, you might go with a better dry traction tire, like the Nokian NRW, Dunlop Winter Sport M2, Pirelli Winter 210 or Asimmetrico (non "ice" (softer) compound), Michelin Alpin, Goodyear Eagle GW, etc. These may not last as long, hard to say and depends on driving of course, but may be better suited for you if you don't get lots of snow and have quattro to help.<p>Tires like the Bridgestone Blizzak have a special compound for snow / ice only for 50% of the tread compound and this wears off after about 2 winters. Besides that, reports are that they're really spongy and<br>somewhat difficult to control on dry pavement.<p>Good luck on the decisions, and email me if I can help any more.<p>Rich<br>'98 2.8 Q-sport, winter #2