Blizzak WS90 vs Alpin PA4

JH M3 · 11-24-2019, 05:46 PM

I'm looking to replace my Michelin Alpin PA4s as they've reached the end of their tread life. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with the new Blizzak WS90s yet. I'm worried that the WS90s are going to feel terrible compared to the PA4s in dry weather but they should offer better snow and ice traction. Thanks.

pbonsalb · 11-24-2019, 07:34 PM

Your worry is justified. You have to decide which is more important to you. For real snow tires also look at the Conti VikingContact7. I have been running performance snows for the past 8 years — Dunlop and Bridgestone, but may change real snows next time. I run real snows on my other 2 cars and there is a definite trade off in dry handling but they do better in snow. If you can’t find either in your size also look at Nokian R3. I run 255/40 and 235/40/18 winters so my choices are limited.

OzCoE92 · 11-26-2019, 02:10 PM

I just installed the WS90's two weeks ago in 235/40/18 all around. So far, they are very similar to the WS80's I had previously, but they are not a performance snow tire so I wasn't expecting great cornering/dry road handling. I live in WI and we do get some nasty snows and I commute 30 miles to work, so the extra piece of mind is worth it.

dparm · 11-27-2019, 02:23 PM

The Pilot Alpin series is a sportier winter tire. You will give up some ultimate snow traction for better dry road feel. The WS series is the normal passenger car Blizzak tire, so yes, it will probably feel a little bit softer and squirmy.

It all comes down to priorities. Me? I'm fine trading off a little dry handling for better traction in bad weather.

Nairb1 · 11-28-2019, 06:24 PM

The WS90 Blizzaks are mushy. I haven't tried them in snow yet.

I had the ws70 version previously and winter performance was great.

JH M3 · 12-01-2019, 08:37 AM

Thanks. I decided to go with the PA4s. I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires for the summer and the PA4s feel relatively squishy already compared to those.

e46IX · 12-29-2019, 09:58 PM

I have the WS-80's on another RWD BMW I use during the winter and they are absolutely horrendous. Dry handling is severely compromised to the point where its dangerous and road noise has increased significantly especially while turning at parking lot speeds. If I didn't spend a pretty penny buying these new I would start a tire fire with these thats how much I hate them. I actually prefer cheap Evergreen chinese tires to these

11-24-2019, 05:46 PM	#1
JH M3 Second Lieutenant 117 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 M3 ZCP Azurite Black Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	Blizzak WS90 vs Alpin PA4 I'm looking to replace my Michelin Alpin PA4s as they've reached the end of their tread life. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with the new Blizzak WS90s yet. I'm worried that the WS90s are going to feel terrible compared to the PA4s in dry weather but they should offer better snow and ice traction. Thanks.
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11-24-2019, 07:34 PM	#2
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5225 Rep 10,610 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Your worry is justified. You have to decide which is more important to you. For real snow tires also look at the Conti VikingContact7. I have been running performance snows for the past 8 years — Dunlop and Bridgestone, but may change real snows next time. I run real snows on my other 2 cars and there is a definite trade off in dry handling but they do better in snow. If you can’t find either in your size also look at Nokian R3. I run 255/40 and 235/40/18 winters so my choices are limited.
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11-26-2019, 02:10 PM	#3
OzCoE92 Lieutenant 96 Rep 448 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (3)	I just installed the WS90's two weeks ago in 235/40/18 all around. So far, they are very similar to the WS80's I had previously, but they are not a performance snow tire so I wasn't expecting great cornering/dry road handling. I live in WI and we do get some nasty snows and I commute 30 miles to work, so the extra piece of mind is worth it.
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11-27-2019, 02:23 PM	#4
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3850 Rep 8,625 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	The Pilot Alpin series is a sportier winter tire. You will give up some ultimate snow traction for better dry road feel. The WS series is the normal passenger car Blizzak tire, so yes, it will probably feel a little bit softer and squirmy. It all comes down to priorities. Me? I'm fine trading off a little dry handling for better traction in bad weather. __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
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11-28-2019, 06:24 PM	#5
Nairb1 New Member 68 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	The WS90 Blizzaks are mushy. I haven't tried them in snow yet. I had the ws70 version previously and winter performance was great. __________________ 2013 E92 6MT
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12-01-2019, 08:37 AM	#6
JH M3 Second Lieutenant 117 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 M3 ZCP Azurite Black Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I decided to go with the PA4s. I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires for the summer and the PA4s feel relatively squishy already compared to those.
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12-29-2019, 09:58 PM	#7
e46IX Second Lieutenant 109 Rep 215 Posts Drives: Z4MC, E92 M3, F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I have the WS-80's on another RWD BMW I use during the winter and they are absolutely horrendous. Dry handling is severely compromised to the point where its dangerous and road noise has increased significantly especially while turning at parking lot speeds. If I didn't spend a pretty penny buying these new I would start a tire fire with these thats how much I hate them. I actually prefer cheap Evergreen chinese tires to these
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