Is anyone running Nokian Hakkapeliitta or the equivalent Michelins on their XF SC?

If so, did you downsize or stay with the staggered 20 inch set up. Starting to shop for winter wheels and have read that some are going with a non-staggered setup in 20's, others are downsizing to 19's.

If you bought Nokians, where did you buy them and was there any discounts to be had?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

 

Nokian makes the best winter tires for ice or deep wet snow. Period.

Go down one size for best results. Staggered fitment is just for show. Go same size font and rear for winter.

For NY I would get Nokian WR as Hakkas are overkill unless you get very cold weather.

 

I loved the 19" Michelin Alpine Sport tires I had on my 2011 XF Premiun last winter.

 

Last year was a pretty mild winter. Did you have the opportunity to run the tires in heavy snow and ice conditions?

 

Last year was a very mild winter--I only remember driving in heavy snow on two occasions. However, I had this same set of tires and wheels the year before--which was a very heavy winter--on my previous car 2010 XF Luxury. I've been very impressed on snow, ice dry and wet with these.

 

Is this them?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....num=84VR9PA3N0

 

I see they don't make them in a 20 inch size. Given the expense of the tires, I probably with get the Nokians as for a few hundred dollars it is difficult not to get the best rated winter tire. The condiitons in my area can get pretty serious in a hurry through the higher altitude hilly areas I travel through. I also should probably drop down to 19's but some have said if you don't drop two sizes down, it doesn't make much of a difference.