Winter tire recommendations?
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Winter tire recommendations?
Went cheap last year and got some no-name winter tires, figuring that they'd be ok, since I only use them about 3 1/2 months of the year. Well, last night, they got a bit squirrelly and I've never been happy with them anyway, so probably about time to get new ones and not die in a horrible one-car accident while avoiding a deer in bad weather. These are for my 17" C7s, btw.
Anyone have any recommendations?
Going by Tirerack, there are Blizzak LM-25s and WS70s, Conti Extreme Wintercontact, Dunlop Graspic DS-3, and Goodyear Ultragrip Ice WRTs. Not too many options. Just wondering what people are using and their results. Thanks.
Anyone have any recommendations?
Going by Tirerack, there are Blizzak LM-25s and WS70s, Conti Extreme Wintercontact, Dunlop Graspic DS-3, and Goodyear Ultragrip Ice WRTs. Not too many options. Just wondering what people are using and their results. Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
I did a LOT of research on this for my wife's mini cooper. I eventually went with the Blizzak WS70's for her car. The tires look pretty aggressive but it has yet to snow here so I can't tell you if it was a good purchase or not.
But with all the research I did do.. I think it boils down too what kind of driver you are. IE if you're aggressive or not... but from what I did read. You can't go wrong with either the Blizzak, Conti Extreme, or Dunlop. I don't remember looking up Goodyear... but I'm sure those work just fine too.
But with all the research I did do.. I think it boils down too what kind of driver you are. IE if you're aggressive or not... but from what I did read. You can't go wrong with either the Blizzak, Conti Extreme, or Dunlop. I don't remember looking up Goodyear... but I'm sure those work just fine too.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
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From: VA
THE C350
I love Blizzaks but the ones I use to have on my J30 had very soft sidwalls.
I bought a set of Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D's for my c320 last year and they are ammazing in the dry and wet but sadly they have not seen snow yet so IDK how well they will be for that. They are a performance winter tire so the sidewals are not nearly as soft so the car still drives really nice in the cornners.
I bought a set of Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D's for my c320 last year and they are ammazing in the dry and wet but sadly they have not seen snow yet so IDK how well they will be for that. They are a performance winter tire so the sidewals are not nearly as soft so the car still drives really nice in the cornners.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Thanks for the opinions, guys. 
Ended up with Blizzak LM-60s. They should be much better than the crap I have now (Federated, I belived is the brand).
Ended up with Blizzak LM-60s. They should be much better than the crap I have now (Federated, I belived is the brand).
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
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From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
Yeah WHEN does it SNOW here!?!?! I'm new to the east coast... all the way from California... when do I get to see some G%$ D#@! snow?!?
ps I work from home and don't have to drive / live in it. Wife does.. that's why she got the tires.. plus we moved here for her job. Mines still in California
ps I work from home and don't have to drive / live in it. Wife does.. that's why she got the tires.. plus we moved here for her job. Mines still in California
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Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Eastlake, OH
2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
I have a set of hankook icebears that the previous owner gave me on the stock wheels. I've read terrible reviews on them. I'll report back when we actually get some snow. They are noisy as all on dry pavement.
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Nothern VA
2015 E400 4-Matic White and 2005 C55 Black/Black
I have the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D's and they work really well in the snow. Last winter we did not get very much snow at all, but the past two winters we did and they worked very well. Many cars were stuck, but not me.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
I also just wanted to say "You're welcome" east coast. Since we've moved here from California I've done the following:
Bought some serious winter tires for my wifes car.
Now we just bought some Sorel winter boots. 2 pairs each.. one for serious conditions.. one for everyday.
With these purchases I think I've successfully stopped any chance of snow this winter.
And for that I say.. "You're Welcome"
Stay classy New England.
Bought some serious winter tires for my wifes car.
Now we just bought some Sorel winter boots. 2 pairs each.. one for serious conditions.. one for everyday.
With these purchases I think I've successfully stopped any chance of snow this winter.
And for that I say.. "You're Welcome"
Stay classy New England.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
Likes: 68
From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Since you already bought them I won't go nuts, but if anyone else is thinking about winter tires...
I went with the Blizzak WS70. I considered the LM's (I thought they were the LM70s where the LM60s were the previous model but I could be wrong here), but went with the WS's because they provided the best snow traction in a non studded winter tire along with the best ride comfort. Sure the LMs or another v/x rated tire will be more responsive but they are all louder and rougher, provide significantly worse snow/ice traction (if you believe the reviews) are typically more expensive and don't last nearly as long. I bought a RWD e so my biggest concern was traction as I heard they were sleds in the snow, but I wanted something reasonably sticky in dry/wet conditions.
IMO the decision point is the speed rating, if you want more responsive and are willing to sacrifice on traction etc then go with the higher speed rating (stiffer sidewall). I understand that we are talking about performance/luxury cars so it maters. I don't mind a bit more squishy as long as they have good dry and snow traction.
I went with the Blizzak WS70. I considered the LM's (I thought they were the LM70s where the LM60s were the previous model but I could be wrong here), but went with the WS's because they provided the best snow traction in a non studded winter tire along with the best ride comfort. Sure the LMs or another v/x rated tire will be more responsive but they are all louder and rougher, provide significantly worse snow/ice traction (if you believe the reviews) are typically more expensive and don't last nearly as long. I bought a RWD e so my biggest concern was traction as I heard they were sleds in the snow, but I wanted something reasonably sticky in dry/wet conditions.
IMO the decision point is the speed rating, if you want more responsive and are willing to sacrifice on traction etc then go with the higher speed rating (stiffer sidewall). I understand that we are talking about performance/luxury cars so it maters. I don't mind a bit more squishy as long as they have good dry and snow traction.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Got 'em put on today (using up vacation days, a nice problem to have). They were fine on dry pavement, much less of a dropoff from the Super Sports than the previous snows. Hopefully, I'll be happy with rain/snow traction as well.
dd - they were $680 from Tirerack, which put them at the lower end $$ wise, and Luke has them on his car, so I'm guessing I'll be pretty happy with them. As far as noise/roughness, with my mods, nothing will ever feel smooth or quiet, so I'm not concerned.
dd - they were $680 from Tirerack, which put them at the lower end $$ wise, and Luke has them on his car, so I'm guessing I'll be pretty happy with them. As far as noise/roughness, with my mods, nothing will ever feel smooth or quiet, so I'm not concerned.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
Likes: 68
From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Sounds like a pretty good deal. Plus considering you have performance mods it seems like the the higher speed rated tire (like the LM) is the way to go. I paid a bit extra (about $100 more total than from the tire rack) for my WSs because the shop I found has free switchover (mounting and road-force balancing - $60-$75 twice a year) for the life of the tire if you buy the tires from them.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
Oh as soon as it starts to snow and the salt comes out.. I'm parked till its gone.
I've scraped the bottom of my car enough to know that there is exposed metal down there that will rust like a biotch if I don't clean off the salt.
Plus I want to actually enjoy working on the car some spring.. dealing with rust will make me sell it in a heartbeat.
Oh and chance of snow Christmas day in the Boston area. =)
I've scraped the bottom of my car enough to know that there is exposed metal down there that will rust like a biotch if I don't clean off the salt.
Plus I want to actually enjoy working on the car some spring.. dealing with rust will make me sell it in a heartbeat.
Oh and chance of snow Christmas day in the Boston area. =)
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Well, one gentle sprinkling of snow down, real stuff to come later. New tires worked great. I think it was also helped by finally getting around to installing my Sprintbooster switch on the dash, and turning it off fully before leaving work yesterday - helps to have to sluggish OEM feel to the clutch in snow. Very happy with them. Not so happy with my headliner coming down all around me from all corners. Was there a glue shortage in 01-02? 
