Originally Posted By: Rust_Belt_Pete
I cant do studded tires, it would drive me nuts on the highway, the noise will grind down any sane man.
I think I am going to go with the R2's.
Changing lanes in a slush covered highway is one of the most unpleasant experiences I have yet to encounter even with decent winter tires (xi3).
Well, depending on your speed and slush, no tire is going cut through it fast enough to reach the pavement. I think my 155/80R13 snow tires on an old Neon would actually start act almost like rudders, but that's an extreme example unavailable anymore.
IME, tires that handle slush well are noisy due to lots of big gaps, but they aren't great on ice. The ice tires don't have big gaps but are much quieter on clear roads.
I have no trouble with either type, as you still drive to the conditions, but you have to choose what you want. Usually I get snow/slush tires but this last time I bought a set of yokohama ig52c(ice tires) and they rate around 95% as good as the Xice3, but at 2/3 the price. They also seem to be wearing very well on my Focus too. I would get them again anyways as they are as quiet as my all seasons on the highway.