Winter tires

[lemming]

i've already noticed that the LMs grip like hell compared to the GS-D3s. snow tires are SO worth it, even without snow on the ground.

[SARAFIL]

Originally Posted by FC

I can rarely find LM-22's anymore. I guess LM-25's have replaced them.

I had a blown tire at the end of the season the winter before last and decided to wait to get a new tire until last winter... just my luck that they were changing over from LM-22 to LM-25 and stopped making the LM-22 in my size that year. So, last year I drove on two LM-22 and two new LM-25.

They both basically look the same, just that the LM-25 is a bit improved (so they say).

[FC]

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

I had a blown tire at the end of the season the winter before last and decided to wait to get a new tire until last winter... just my luck that they were changing over from LM-22 to LM-25 and stopped making the LM-22 in my size that year. So, last year I drove on two LM-22 and two new LM-25.

They both basically look the same, just that the LM-25 is a bit improved (so they say).

I like the thread pattern of the D3's a bit more, and they are a bit cheaper, so I may try them.

[IndyMike]

Originally Posted by FC

I like the thread pattern of the D3's a bit more, and they are a bit cheaper, so I may try them.

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.

[FC]

Originally Posted by Gov'ment mule

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.

Hmmm...

Now you make me wonder. Did you get H or V-rated LM-25's? I really like the LM-22's on my 330i, so I'd have no problem getting the LM-25's on the wagon.

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by FC

Hmmm...

Now you make me wonder. Did you get H or V-rated LM-25's? I really like the LM-22's on my 330i, so I'd have no problem getting the LM-25's on the wagon.

FC,

When I had my first E46, I had a set of Michelin Alpins on 16's in the original 205/55 (or was it 215/55 ), they were great in the snow but had a bit of squirm under hard cornering on dry pavement.

My current snows, the LM25's in a 225/17/45 size spent one season on the Z4 and will now go on the 330; they're fantastic - quiet, nice riding, good handling and good, naturally, in the snow.

Ed

[equ]

I've had the dunlop m3's for two seasons on the zhp (several trips to northern vermont). Very good, it took real depth to get the car (almost) stuck. No moments, that says it all. Not one problem turning or braking. Sure just a little worse than an a/s off the snow but pretty good still and not bad on the snow. Loved them (see pic).

I just mounted dunlop 3d's on the 5er. So far no snow experience (it doesn't look like it's happening either). On the dry/wet they seem equal to slightly better than my m3's. That could also be because I had 205's on the 3er now have 225's on the 5er. I don't really notice any extra noise or even too much squishiness just decent (a/s like) grip.

FC, given that you're putting them on an awd car and I presume (assume, hope,...) you don't live in a log cabin somewhere, I really don't see why you should get anything but performance snows. The trade-off is not trivial, you wouldn't be wanting to have 'moments' in the dry/wet, would you? Get either the dunlops or the LM blizzaks.

[Josh (PA)]

I've had the Dunlops wintersports on a couple of rwd only cars and had no problems getting through the worst storms South East PA gets. AFAIK the v70 is AWD which combined with any decent snow tire will be a beast. I'd expect you'll have ground clearance issues before you'll have lack of tire traction issues.

I currently have Nokian H**kep**ta (no clue how to spell them) on the wagon and they were very impressive last winter in the white stuff.

[IndyMike]

Originally Posted by FC

Hmmm...

Now you make me wonder. Did you get H or V-rated LM-25's? I really like the LM-22's on my 330i, so I'd have no problem getting the LM-25's on the wagon.

I went with the flying V's. I didn't want to possibly get rumattted by the H's. Besides, they are only $7 more per tire than the H's.

[FC]

Originally Posted by Gov'ment mule

I went with the flying V's. I didn't want to possibly get rumattted by the H's. Besides, they are only $7 more per tire than the H's.

LOL

Money is not the issue. In response to equ's post, yes, I'll get performance winter tires.

It seems as though they both (LM-25's and D3's) are pretty good. Dunlops happen to be a cheaper but they are also new, though there is no reason to doubt they will be at least as good as the M3's. I may get the D3's just to try something different. Seems liek I can't go wrong.

I think I'll go with 225's. My speedo will be off by 1% (too fast), but that's ok.