Winter tires

FC · 12-13-2006, 03:39 PM

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?

lemming · 12-13-2006, 03:42 PM

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.

FC · 12-13-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemming

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.

I have LM22's on the 330i and they did get me through a bad winter storm or two. The WS-50's I had on my old 190E had even more grip on shitty conditions, but they just felt like playdoh on dry roads.

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

SARAFIL · 12-13-2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

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 · 12-13-2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

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 · 12-13-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

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.

John V · 12-13-2006, 03:54 PM

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.

FC · 12-13-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

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.

I'll look those up, thanks.

EDIT: They have Wintersport 3D's now.

Do I lose much winter traction by going with V-rating vs H-rating?

rumatt · 12-13-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

Do I lose much winter traction by going with V-rating vs H-rating?

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.

Nick M3 · 12-13-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

I'll look those up, thanks.

EDIT: They have Wintersport 3D's now.

Do I lose much winter traction by going with V-rating vs H-rating?

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.

12-13-2006, 03:39 PM	#1
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,264	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
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,612	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. __________________

12-13-2006, 03:54 PM	#7
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	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.