Drove the 3 in the snow for the first time sunday. Didn't do as bad as I thought it would, but could be better. Also, with the Gov. of Illinois cutting back on the plowing and salting due to "Budget Issues" it doesn't help any. Is it worth getting snow tires for 3-4 mo out of the year? I would think I could also get some better All-Season than these stock BADYEAR EAGLES.

 

I bought my new Mazda3 two weeks ago and it came with the Goodyear Eagle RS-As (as I suspect yours did). A quick trip to TireRack.com revealed that the RS-As have about the worst rating on anything but dry roads that I have ever seen for any "All-Season" tire (and I've beenfollowing the tire industryfor a loooong time). In fact, of the 25 All-Season tires that they show in the 205/50 R17 size, the RS-As have the second worst scores in Light Snow, Deep Snow, and Ice traction with the only tire scoring worse being the utterly crappy (and silly expensive) Bridgestone Potenza RS92As.

With the above said, it should come as no surprise that I didn't even wait 5 hours from the time I took delivery of my new car before I ordered a set of new skins. The good news here is that TireRack was having a closeout sale on the highly regarded previous generation of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for $120 (while supplies last). I had the new set mounted a week ago today, just in time for our first snow. The Michelins performed extremely well on my way to work yesterday morning, in spite of the snow and ice all over the roads.

 

I also saw Pirelli AS tires on there real cheap, like $93 or so. Now, from what I've seen Pirelli is a "high class" type of tire. Why so cheap? Worth it?

 

Yes you could get better all seasons than the RSA's..... not difficult as they pretty much suck in every way. However if you're living in an area that has a good amount of snow for 3-4 months out of the year it would be wise to at least consider snow tires and dedicated rims for them. That way you get them mounted once and just store the set you're not using until you need them. Then you can just jack the car up and switch them out without having to go to a tire shop. Another good reason to get dedicated wheels for them is you can then look for difference sized rims as the stock wheel size has a limited selection on tires. On top of all that if you're using snow tires during the winter months your all seasons will last much longer overall..... depending on your summer/fall weather you might even be able to get away with mounting summer tires when the all-seasons wear out.

 

Worth it? I suppose that depends. I assume that you're referring to the Pirelli P6 Four Seasons tire in the 205/50 R17 size. Yes, no? If "yes", then per the information on TireRack (which sells them for $99 per tire), they are little better than the Eagle RS-As that came on our cars, thatand they carry only an "H" speed rating (as opposed to the "V" rating on the RS-As). Personally I'd avoid them regardless of the price.

 

The Pirelli Zero Nero's were recommended to me, but I did not go with them.
From my limited snow experience in my car, I"d say yeah, it"s not the best car for snow and ice. Same thing with my other all-time favorite car.
As Spots suggests, going to a dedicated and smaller wheel w/skinnier snows would be your best option, 4 of them if you can swing it. Plus that would save the OE wheels from salt and slush deterioration. Nothing will stop that, short of a full wash every time you get out of the car... and who"s going to go through all that trouble?

 

Oh, and BTW: If it was P4's you were looking at? P4"s suck!! I wouldn"t worry about an "H" rated winter tire though. It should not pose any problems at the speeds and driving style you are liable to be experiencing during those months.

 

I run the Dunlop Wintersport series tires on a dedicated extra set of stock wheels on my wife's Mazda6. It completely changed the feel in the winter...very confidence inspiring. We're on the 3rd season on them and they still have great tread. Shooting for 4 seasons out of the set. At approx $500 for the set that is $125/year for the comfort of extra control in the winter. Well worth it IMO (I have 2 small children and want to make sure my wife and kids stay safe.)

 

Thank you all!

 

snow tires are your saving grace, the all seasons suck, simple as that. those toyos did **** all in the winter, pay the 600$ and you will not regret it, depending on where you live, if you live where say ken (siber express) or Richard (virgin1) you wont need snows and the tires yo uget stock on the car is fine. but where im from (ontario canada) you neeeeed snow tires. in quebec it is now mandatory that you have snow tires for your car, via why if you live in ontario you should get your snow tires within the week because all snows will be gone as quebec people are coming to ontario to get some snows. its unreal.