Given
100%
while driving a
Mazda MX 3 V6
(205/55 R15) on
mostly country roads
for 4,000
average miles
Can't tell anything about the tire's behaviour in snow, as here in my area of Germany there was no snow at all this season. But what I can tell is that these tires are exceptional in wet and especially dry conditions. They grip like hell! In the dry, I don't even come close to their limit and in the wet, where you should drive more safly anyway, it is much the same. Moreover, the HS449 is quiet and comfortable as well.
I've driven around 6000 km since I fitted them to my little MX-3 and I just can't tell whether there has been any wear; despite the dry conditions this winter, tread is still plenty. I assume, the HS449 are good for another 10000 kilometers.
My conclusion: There is really no need to throw money down the drain for a so called "premium tire". What makes them "premium" is just their brand name and the prices they make you pay. I will recommend the Falken HS449 to anyone who is about to buy a new set of winter-tires!
I used Firestone and Uniroyal winters before, but I will stick to the Falken HS449 as long as they produce it.
Buy 'em, bolt 'em on and be amazed!