So, about a year ago +/- at the same time, I bought new winter tires Michelin Alpin 6 in the size 225/45 R17.
Now the tires are on their second winter season, and I think, why not write a review, maybe it will help someone?
P.S.: although, considering the price of these tires now, I think very few people will buy them ??
So...
Why exactly did I choose winter tires and specifically Michelin and specifically Alpin 6?
On my two previous cars, Golf 6 and Jetta 6, I had studded winter tires Gisloved Nord Frost 200 in the size 205*55 R16, and an important clarification, summer tires - Michelin Pilot Sport 4, which is also on my A3.
At that time, I lived outside the city and had to overcome a 5 km long dirt road at least twice a day, and in winter, it was more like overcoming rather than driving.
The road was never salted, and it was cleaned irregularly ??♂️
On those 5 km, you could feel all the unpredictability of the weather in the middle lane, and in general, the road realities in Russia.
There was snow, sometimes up to the radiator grille, giant ruts from trucks, 100% ice, and in the spring, it was just trash, you drive and pray that you won't get stuck ?
In our family, we also had an Audi A4 Allroad B9 with non-studded tires Continental Conti Viking Contact 7.
I drove the A4 quite often, and every time I caught myself thinking that I didn't feel much difference with studded tires in terms of stability, braking, etc., but in terms of comfort, it was very noticeable ☝?
Then there was a moment when studded tires didn't save me - it was 100% ice + ruts, and I accelerated too much, probably up to 35 km/h ?
Then I turned, and there was a Rav 4 coming towards me, I skidded on the brakes sideways towards it, and we crashed ?
There was 100% ice, ruts, and I was driving at 35 km/h, when I should have been driving at 10 km/h.
After that, I finally realized that:
1. First of all, winter is a winter driving mode, summer is a summer driving mode, don't forget to switch.
2. You need to assess the road situation with a big margin.
3. If you ignore the first two points, you're an idiot, and no studded tires will save you, not even Nokian, oh Ikon ?
Since I got my A3, it coincided that we moved to the city, and I realized that the need for studded tires was gone:
- the roads are salted regularly
- they are cleaned quite well
- winters are getting warmer and warmer
- and I want comfort
The sound insulation in the A3 is not that great, and you can hear the studded tires quite well.
+ on wet asphalt, studded tires cause more problems, and wet asphalt is 70% of winter in the middle lane
+ constantly thinking about these studs - "oh, I accelerated well, I wonder if any of them flew out... or did more than one fly out? ?
In general, it was decided to take non-studded tires for the first time in my life, but which ones?
And that's when we remember that summer tires on our cars have been Michelin for three cars in a row.
And Michelin has a relatively new model, Alpin 6 ?
We read all possible tests and reviews, of course, first of all, ADAC, look at photos - the tread is not like a Christmas tree, which means it won't be as noisy as, for example, Alpin 5.
Here's an important clarification - yes, they also have X-ICE, but either I didn't like the name, or the speed index confused me, in general, I didn't understand the question.
Then we look at the price, the manufacturer, and throw it in the basket on MosaustoShina.
Then, one morning, I walk past my neighbor's new X4, who has already changed to Alpin 5 with a spare, drives and enjoys the softness, etc., and I place the order ?
In total: 57,200 rubles, including delivery
What can I say, I've already driven a lot on these tires ?
If you've read this far, now it's time to get to the point.
I'll break down my impressions by temperature range with a step of 5-10 degrees ??
+10°C - 0°C
It's just great, you feel like you're driving on summer tires again ?
I don't know how owners of crossovers with a profile height of 60 and more feel in the summer at +10°C, but when you have a 45 profile + a hard sports suspension, and not ideal sound insulation - you drive in the summer at +10°C like on a smooth road
It's quiet and comfortable ?
Ideal in slush - puddles, ruts, rough asphalt, patches, potholes - it doesn't matter to these tires.
It's like driving on Pilot Sport 4 on good dry asphalt at +20-25°C, maybe a bit more wobbly, but just a bit.
0°C - -10°C
As expected, it's good!
Snowy mess - no problem.
Deep snow at -5°C - -7°C - also very good.
In a snowstorm, I drove through a rut after a truck in a village with an uphill climb and didn't get stuck ?
On my previous tires, I would have definitely gotten stuck.
Ice, ice crust - like on any non-studded tires, don't forget that there are no studs.
-10°C - -15°C (-20°C)
Not bad, but something's not right ??
You can feel how the tires' grip on icy asphalt gets worse, ASR and ESP engage more often, and you drive more carefully.
+ closer to -15°C - -20°C, the car starts to shake more, the feeling is closer to +10°C in the summer
-20°C - -30°C
Now it's getting fun ?
In the previous winter, such temperatures were only for 1.5-3 weeks in total, but that was enough ??♂️
-20°C - still okay, you drive carefully.
Well, at -20°C, the car itself is like a stone, if you didn't leave it in a warm parking lot
And it's clear that the tires also get stiffer, but not as much as, for example, Viking Contact 7, significantly stronger
On the other hand, at -25°C - -30°C - it's just crazy ?
The asphalt seems dry, but we know that it's not, and I don't know where the reagents and sand go in such temperatures ?
Driving in the city, especially on sections with icy ruts, at more than 60 km/h - it's just scary.
The tires are completely stiff, and you're driving like on a smooth road again.
If I had to drive on the highway somewhere, for example, to Moscow, I wouldn't have gone, that's for sure.
Exactly after the first day of -25°C, I remembered my friend's words, which I didn't appreciate at the time - "but it's a European tire, not a Scandinavian one"
Oh, how I regret not understanding the question to the end...
All-season, European, Scandinavian, studded - it's all complicated ?
It couldn't be simpler - there are studs / there are no studs
In general, summing up everything I've written...
My opinion is that as long as there's at least one day in winter with a temperature of -25°C or lower, buying such tires is risky, even in Moscow and surrounding areas.
On that day, you can easily get into an accident, and all the pleasure from other days with higher temperatures will disappear in an instant.
I don't recommend it, unless you're from Sochi.
It's better to take Viking Contact 7 or something newer.
