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12-13-2006, 03:39 PM | #1 |
Solving problems
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Winter tires
I'm torn on whether I should get performance winter tires (Blizzak LM-25's) for the V70R or studless winter tires (Blizzak WS-50's).
Part of me wants to make the wagon (the designated bad weather car) as capable as possible in case of a bad storm and Canadian winters, but at the same time I hate giving up that much control at high speeds/dry winter roads (which is still the case most of the time in Boston). I'm leaning towards performance winter tires. If I do, I will go with the H-rated LM-25's (there are both H and V rated LM-25's). There are also Michelin Alpin H-rated performance winter tires. They happen to be in special about $15 less per tire than the LM-25's. Any experience with Michelin snow tires? The difference in ratings at the TireRack is in the noise (statistical noise, that is). These are all in the OE 235/45/R17 size. I suppose I could try to get 225/45/R17 tires instead, but I don't see how much difference 10mm can make. Any thoughts? Last edited by FC; 12-13-2006 at 03:57 PM. |
12-13-2006, 03:42 PM | #2 |
Western Anomaly
Join Date: Oct 2003
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goodyear also has a brand new line of snow tires, just in case you're curious. the tirerack may not sell those, however. unclear to me. they look like they have a very nice tread pattern.
i have the LM22s (are they that different from the 25s?) and even with the led sled, they work really well. i only had one nasty snow storm (last year, that one day of really wet snowfall?) that i had to turn off all traction control and DSC to cut through the snow. seems to me that you can't really lose, though, with either tire you're considering.
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12-13-2006, 03:46 PM | #3 | |
Solving problems
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Quote:
I can rarely find LM-22's anymore. I guess LM-25's have replaced them. |
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12-13-2006, 08:34 PM | #4 | |
I like BMWs
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Quote:
They both basically look the same, just that the LM-25 is a bit improved (so they say).
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12-13-2006, 09:03 PM | #5 | |
Solving problems
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Quote:
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12-13-2006, 09:26 PM | #6 |
Elected by grace
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I just ordered LM-25's in 225/45/17 fitment for the Touring to switch over from the F1 DS-G3's for winter. Before opting for the LM's I seriously considered the D3's. What put me into the LM camp is that the D3's are very new to the market and there is just not enough testimonials (when I ordered there were only 6 responses on Tire Rack) for me to get the warm and fuzzies about them. I'm sure they are fine, but I've read some recurring comments about excessive road noise at least enough so as to make me shy away from them at this time.
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12-13-2006, 03:54 PM | #7 |
No more BMWs
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I like the Dunlop Wintersport M3s (v-rated version) on the Boxster. The car will literally go through anything with those tires on, and they're not bad at all on dry roads if the temperature is below 50.
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12-13-2006, 03:56 PM | #8 | |
Solving problems
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Quote:
EDIT: They have Wintersport 3D's now. Do I lose much winter traction by going with V-rating vs H-rating? Last edited by FC; 12-13-2006 at 04:02 PM. |
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12-13-2006, 05:10 PM | #9 |
Mugwump
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Semi related: http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=8101&
I still have the C.R. sitting somewhere. I can see what they thought about the snow traction of both. |
12-13-2006, 05:18 PM | #10 |
Relic
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FWIW, the wintersport M3s are also excellent on my Dad's E55. IMHO, they climbed ice sheets better than the Q-rated graspic DS-2s on the M3.
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