Gremlin9

I keep going back and forth btwn these 2 tires that I will be putting on my OEM rims.

Has anybody ridden with both of these?

If so, any preference?

Questions

I haven't, but I thought the Bridgestone Blizzaks were the top snow tire...?

justthebest

Continental DWS are all I run for winter

gthal

NOT the PA3 unless you never plan to drive in really bad weather... horrible in snow.

Snow performance, best to worse (adding Blizzaks to your list)

1. Blizzak LM-60
2. Dunlop 3D
3. Michelin PA3

If you plan to drive the C63 is wet snow, ice, etc then I would NOT get PA3. I had a set for one winter and then sold them they were so bad.

The Blizzak is a better snow/ice tire but the Dunlop is a pretty decent compromise.

P.S. Didn't you already have a winter tire thread started?

Mort

HaHaHa.....history repeats itself

shades

Why are people still talking about PA3, when the PA4's are in stock. These are supposed to be great in snowy conditions

gthal

The tread pattern does look like it can handle snow much better doesn't it.

shades

It's a totally new design. I just put them on my car today. One of the guys at my shop did the weekend retreat at a ski resort in Ottawa on ice and snow earlier this year and said that they handle great. I'll have better reports myself as soon as it snows in Toronto.

gthal

Aren't you worried about wearing them down too quickly given the warm temps? I try not to put mine on until absolutely the last reasonable time as they wear quick and are too squishy until temps cool way down.

shades

Yeah I thought about that but my shop gets so busy at the end of October for tire change overs that I don't have time to do my own car...lol. I'm not too worried about it because the morning is fairly cold. +7 and colder is the best time but hey, it's out the way and I don't have to worry about it.

Gremlin9

What size tires did u get?

shades

I wanted to get the best traction so i went with 225/40 all around. I was going to get 235/40 but i thought i would try the 225 on the 9 rears and to my surprise it actually is not that bad. It is a bit stretched though, but i wanted skinnier tires for the best possible traction in the winter

Gremlin9

They don't make a 235/40.
Would a 235/45 work or would it be too tall?

gthal

225/40 or 245/40

Gremlin9

On OEM wheels, 225 too stretched.
245 is too wide for winter traction.

I'm forced to go with the dunlop 3D in 235/40/18 on the OEM wheels.

I'm not even considering the PA3 based on your review.

If it snows, I don't wanna get stuck or cause an accident.

shades

They don't make 235...so it's 225 or 245, but I think 225 would be better in snowy conditions

gthal

I went 225/40 but on 8" wheels all around. 225 will work on a 9" wheel but, like you said, will be stretched a bit. I would bet that 10mm more (245) on a better winter tire would still give better results than a 235 on a tire with less real winter capability. Personally, I would pick the tire that is best for you and not worry about a 235 or 245 size. My bet is a 245 very good winter tire will outperform a 235 good winter tire in bad weather because the tread compound and tread design would have a much bigger impact on performance than 10mm in width.

Good call on avoiding the PA3... the PA4 might be different but I'm not going to be a guinea pig this time

Gremlin9

I have made my final decision to go with the dunlop wintersports 3D but...

Should I go with the 235/40/18 or 245/40/18?

gthal

235 if snow performance is more important
245 if dry road performance is more important

IMO

Gremlin9

dammit gthal, you always have the answer!

Thanks again,
B

I'm going for some safety this winter so I'm gonna opt for the 235s...

Gremlin9

Update on my 235/40/18 dunlop wintersport 3d tires:

No snow yet so cant comment on that...

But as far as handling goes, not too much different than the OEM summers, which is a huge plus

Running 41 cold pressure on all 4 tires, heats up to 46 on all 4s

Is a warm pressure of 46 too high?

gthal

Don't worry about heated temps. Cold temps are all that matter and 41 is fine.

BK63amg

I actually prefer the Dunlaps to the Blizzaks. I've owned both on my two previous cars and feel the 3Ds are far superior in all winter conditions.

Fung63

Running blizzak ws70 235/40/18 on all corners and it's working great

Btw just my 2 cents but if you guys are planning to drive the c63 in the winter and you will get snow in your area... Don't cheap out on your tires. And of course, drive with common sense

ed4

I also ran Blizzaks on previous cars, and the Dunlops Wintersports seem to be a nicer, all-around tire for the winter. I can't comment on its snow traction, as my new tires and my new C have not seen snow thus far.