Mazda 3 hatch - snow tire observation
 

I bought the mazda 3 hatch a few months ago and live just outside of Boston, MA
A few days ago I drove the car in the snow for the first time. I was extremely disappointed with the performance of the goodyear tires that came with the car. I experienced fishtailing on virtually any incline on packed snow. Compared to other cars I've driven with all-season tires the performance was extremely poor. I do not believe it's safe to drive this vehicle in the snow with the supplied tires.

I recently bought 4 Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires and the situation is greatly improved. I am, needless to say, disappointed at having to buy dedicated snow tires (this is the first time I've found it necessary on a front wheel drive car). The tires are very expensive (~$200 each).

I think Mazda should strongly reconsider the stock tires for this vehicle and investigate replacing the goodyear's with an all-sesaon alternative that will provide at least adequate performance in the snow.

I would advise anyone who is planning on purchasing a mazda 3 to factor in the additional expense of snow tiires if driving in the snow is a possiblity.

I'm interested to hear other people's experience driving this car in the snow and whether you feel that the goodyear's are as grossly inadequate as I do.

The M3 and the former protege come/came with horrible "all season" tires. The stock tires are terrible on ice and snow.

I highly reccomend buying snow tires and steel rims. They pay for themselves if you can avoid a small fender bender. Mazda really dropped the ball with their stock tire selection. There wasn't even an option at purchase to buy better tires.

The Mazda sales people aren't very well informed either. I was looking at trading my Protege for a M3, but decided my 2001 was good enough. When I asked about the tires on the M3 sales guy (Kramer Mazda, Calgary) said the stock tires decent on ice and snow (total BS). He then said if I was concerned I could just put winter tires on the front wheels. Not only is that suggestion a bad idea it is worse more dangerous than just using the stock tires.

I justs bought winter tires from Walmart..they are just walmart branded Kelly Springfield tires. I paid $540 for 4 tires, 4 steel rims, install, taxes....well worth the money. I am happy as a clam now. With good driving allertness and these tires I feel very safe.

Yes, the stock tires suck in the snow. I had this experience last winter with the Dunlop Sport 5000's.
This year I was smarter and got steel wheels and Dunlop Graspics from Tire Rack. The situation has much improved.
Honestly though, if you are buying a Mazda, they are tuned for a sportier feel/ride, and that includes the tire choice. Hell, that's the reason I bought the car. The "all-season" tires that come stock seem to me to be only a summer tire, and should probably be sold as such.

That's the point I was trying to make
 

I think you hit the nail on the head about what upsets most about the having to get the snows. I think it's reasonable to expect at least modestly decent performance from tires labeled as all-season on a FWD car. If I routinely rode around in deep snow I wouldn't hesitate in buying tires designed for this purpose. But for the occasional ride around the city on snowy roads I think it was reasonable to expect that the goodyear's would be okay - they weren't. Had this been apparent at purchase I would be less disappointed.
L

Agreed, selling a Mazda 3 with the stock tires in Calgary AB is just plain irresponsible if you don't tell potential buyers they should most likey purchase snow tires, or better yet change stocks tires with better all season tires.

yes the stock tires suck in the snow ... never actually tried them ... I thought ahead figuring they were summer only and bought 4 steel rims and Champiro snow tires ... they are simply amazing ... virtually no slip ... for real !!! ... a deal for $825CDN installed ... and way cheaper than sliding into someone.

Champiro??? Never heard of them.....Any Good?

Anyways, I had a chance to try the Dunlops in an ice storm ( Just bought the car that April 2003 ) - hair raising experience....

I bought a set of Nokian Hakka 1, they are now called Nordman 1 - about $800 CDN installed with 15" rims. Never looked back. I drive the car the same way I do in summer - handles wondefully. Funniest thing, I can get it to actually power oversteer on parking lots quite nicely :yumyum:

hannenberg, greetings neighbor from another outside of Boston M3 owner!

Just got my M3 a couple of weeks ago and can't believe how awful it is in the snow on the stock tires. Have never been particularly impressed with the Goodyears - especially on my LX 5.0 Mustang and old T-Bird Turbo Coupe. Will try to make it through the rest of this winter, but definitely want to pick up a different wheel/tire combination for next winter. Since the car's a keeper until it dies, would like to have a dedicated set of winters. It's definitely worth it around here.

For those of you that have done so.....did you keep the 17" wheel size with your alternate set, or did you go down in size? I was thinking of 16" steel wheels for the snows. Would like to avoid the rubber band tires for the winter on our awful New England potholed roads.

Thanks for the great thread!
Pickle

follow-up snow tire replacements
 

I haven't bought rims yet. For this winter I had the blizzaks installed on the orginal rims. As near as I can tell 17" steel rims are not available. I have found 17" inch alloy rims for ~ $120.00 on-line. I have no idea if there's any difference in quality as the price goes up? I plan on purchasing replacement rims this spring - if anybody has recommendations I would be grateful to hear them.

Leo