It will be interesting to see how your charges compare to mine. My post in another thread:

Just received my winters from Tire Rack last week. Final tally:

Quoted C$288 each for 4 Michelin PA3 (V speed): C$1152, C$1221.12 with GST - un-mounted, local shop.

or C$240.43 for PA2 (H speed): C$961.72, C$1019.43 with GST un-mounted, local shop.

Tire Rack U$145 each for PA2 (V speed): U$580
Shipping: U$105.90

VISA was hit C$741.42 (tires and shipping combined)
UPS charged C$146 for GST, duty and brokerage.
C$887.42 all in, so yes, savings of C$333.70 V for V or only C$132 PA2 for PA2 (V vs H).

Downsides? I need to find a shop to mount them. They are too big to fit in the trunk so they need to sit in the back seat. Warranty? Road hazard? In the long run the savings may not be worth the initial - we'll see...

 

I did see this. Wish I'd paid closer attention to the UPS brokerage fee...OUCH. I should still come out about $200 to the good, all said and done. No issue with the transportation, wife's Expedition should haul them fine, and I'll install myself once they are mounted and balanced. Gotta make use of that shiny new torque wrench!

 

Winter skins arrived at suppertime tonight! So here's the damage:

BS Blizzak WS60 Tires: $113 ea for a total of $452 US (I'm gonna call it even up on the exchange)
Shipping $95.74
Duty, GST and brokerage $117.91 (less than I expected)
Mount and balance $106

Total: $771.65

Quote from local shop: $1038.08

Savings: $266.43

Well worthwhile! I'll get 'em mounted up tomorrow then be ready for the white stuff.

 

Excellent info and a good buy.
I think this will help a lot of people with their decisions.
I'm sure you will be extremely pleased with the Blizzaks in the frigid weather.

 

Thanks, Wayne, almost makes me look forward to the snow. Almost.

Isn't it past your bedtime? You are probably still lounging by the fire. Anyway, it's past mine. Over & out.

 

Nice score Wayne. That sounds like a good set up. Don't go wishing for snow yet though.

I was also pleased with the tires I brought in from Tire Rack.

 

Just made my order for a winter set up from TireRack.

2 17x7.5 ASA JH3 Silver In Stock $94.00 $188.00
2 17x7.5 ASA JH3 Silver In Stock $94.00 $188.00
2 225/50R-17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 In Stock $138.00 $276.00
2 225/55R-17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 In Stock $116.00 $232.00
Shipping: $287.85
Tax: $.00
Excise Tax: $.00
State Waste Tire Fund Fee: $.00
Order Total Including Shipping: $1,171.85

 

Also got this neat e-mail....


"Thank you for the tire order. I wanted to let you know that all duties and brokerage fees have been paid for your order. We have streamlined the orders into Canada and reduced the total cost for you. The total price delivered is on the email confirmation. You will not be charged anymore on your end.
If you have any other questions just give me a call.
Thank you again,



Jim Holloman | Sales Specialist"

 

Thanks to everyone for sharing their tirerack experience. I'm considering buying from them now.

I've kind of set my mind on the Hankook W409 Winter i*Pike tire because it seems to have a really aggressive tread pattern and the cost is pretty good, even from a local tire dealer. The reason I'm looking for an aggressive tread pattern is because I was quite disappointed with the snow plow service last winter. There were quite a few days when the roads were covered with snow long after it has stopped falling from the sky. I guess north GTA was left for last or something. Also we had days where it was like -35 degrees celsius outside and everything was frozen solid.

Before I saw this thread I was set on the Hankook's, however for roughly the same price I can get Michelin X-Ice or Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 from tirerack. I'm a fan of Michelin and a lot of you seem to like the Blizzaks but their tread patterns aren't as aggressive. At the same time the Hankook's are T rated, compared to Q for the X-Ice and R for the Blizzak. The speed doesn't make that much of a difference to me, I don't drive extremely fast anyways, but the higher speed rating may mean a sturdier sidewall and thus somewhat better handling. Again, I don't plan on pushing my car but I don't want a soft tire feeling either.

Any opinions on the Winter I Pike (or Hankook in general), or the other two options would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

No experience with Hankooks, sorry.

 

FWIW, I bought set of the Hankook icebears 17" last Nov. for $770 installed and have been satisfied with them.

 

Well they are calling for snow tonight, so I finally broke down and put the winter boots on, so now I'm ready. This is the latest I've switched over in several years. Kinda looking forward to seeing how they work, to be honest! Sure it'll be a huge improvement over my Toyos which are HORRIBLE in the snow.

 

^ Pics?

 

I actually considered it, but I thought NOBODY would be interested in seeing pics of some winter tires, unless they were...I dunno...hiding inside from a hurricane?

Is it getting nasty out there yet, Shane?

 

I'd love to see some pics of your winter setup Wayne!

It's raining quite hard and is somewhat windy, however the strong winds haven't arrived yet. My wife and I are just sitting in tonight relaxing and the G is safe in the garage.