Since it's my first upcoming winter with the P4S, I'd like to know if anyone has found the Pirelli Sotto Zeros quiter than the Michelin winter tires -- or vice versa. Should be an excellent winter care overall I would think...

I have the Pilot Alpin PA3s on my 4S- not ideal for heavier snow. They are, however, second to none in terms of handling, ride comfort and road noise for a winter tire.

Thanks, good to know. Most of the time we're on dry roads and of course the winter tires are a softer rubber compound in the cold. So the handling and quiet is appreciated. But we also need the tires to perform in the snow, so as long as you've got traction in the snow that's the main thing. Can't drive too crazy in the snow, but you also need to be able to move forward and turn without skidding.

They're perfectly fine in light dustings of snow but anything more and the grooves clog up.

From what I remember of Toronto, any snow on main roads is plowed quickly so these tires should be okay. If it's just great on-road manners in cold weather (and not very very snowy conditions) you're looking for then the Alpins are ideal IMO.

I have the Pirellis (18 inch on their own rims)...they are truly fantastic.

So much so I wonder why I bother with summer tires at all...