Rim flange protection on Avon ZV series is a good benefit although it probably doesn't stop you kerbing them if clumsy enough.
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TG
Avons ZV-7 is a quiet tyre, easily as quiet as Michelin ES, the sidewall seems a little stiffer which means ride is slightly harder than ES, but I think the stiffer sidewall makes the tyre more 'sporty' in its handling, the directional stability, steering and grip levels are noticeably better IMHO - the only thing I can't comment on is the tread life but as I don't do mega miles these days that is not really a concern for me. I have deliberately done crash stops with Avons and the ABS hardly cuts in, where it used to with ES.
ES were not too bad in snow (Jazz was always better than Civic though) cannot comment on how good Avons may be on snow and because in 2016 I got Nokian winters on steel rims I may never find out. I think steel rims in winter are good for two things, they protect the brakes from salt and crud much better than alloys and save your alloys from corrosion (and maybe an untimely crash into kerb, which is always gonna be more likely on slippery winter roads). As a bonus you can just slap another coat of Hammerite on them if they show any rust (which is difficult to do with alloys).
As I said before I used to get good mileage from Michelin ES, a quiet ride and decent grip so was reasonably happy to pay a premium - but now my tyres may 'age out' before they 'wear out' so am still expecting a good few years use from Avons, at a not inconsiderable saving in cost of tyres (ES for Civic were around £75, Avons only £50).