Hi Everyone,

OK - I have a 6 speed RX8 - and decided to go with the 225/45R18 BridgeStone Blizzak snow tires. They are the exact same size as the original summer tire, therefore can be mounted on the original rims.

I've had these on for nearly 10 days now, and it finally snowed today.

After driving my '8 with the orignal summer tires throughout the first snowfall, I was quite worried that this car would be undrivable in winter.

Today, we had 5cm of snow fall throughout the day, and the streets were not plowed. The tempature was about -5 C.

The car got me to work and back without any real scares. I couldn't drive as fast as the rest of the traffic, but I wasn't far behind. I felt the rear end slide with any sudden accelaration, but the car straightened out quickly. I could turn at a reasonable speed without much sliding, and breaking was surprisingly excellent.

Again, the streets werent plowed at all, so it was thick slushy snow on all streets. I was driving about 35km/hr while the rest of the traffic was probably doing about 40km/hr ...

I'm not going to say it's as good as previous front wheel drive cars that I've had ... but it can definately get you front point A to point B safely (within a city, I wouldn't go on the highway).

In Winnipeg, we have a very good snow removal system, so I expect dry pavement again within 48hrs.

As an aside, I prefer drving with my winter tires. They seem to have more flex. I used to have to fight with the steering wheel on major streets that tend to have deep ruts. The 18" wheels are too thick for the grooves in the road, and tend to want to jump out of them.

The softer winter tires seem to follow the grooves in the road, and make steering much easier ...

I'll give you an update on Blizzak's on hard packed snow in a few days (residental streets don't usually get plowed) ...

Hope this helps ...

 

Which Blizzak's do you have LM 22 or WS 50?

I just ordered the WS 50.

 

Which Blizzak's do you have LM 22 or WS 50?

I was wondering the same thing. I ran LM-22s on my Miata the last 2 winters and had no problems. Plan on buying them for the '8 this winter.

 

I don't think they make WS series in 18 inch sizes?
There's a new LM though, 25 (I think?) versus the old 22. I got the 22 and am mounting them in a week or so.
Thanks for the update! Keep us posted!!!

 

I'm running the LM-22's on stock rims. We've had a couple snow falls and they have performed well.

 

The first snow, 1 inch, in Chicago, on the stock tires was a scary ride home. The next day I ordered (4) Blizzak WS-50, 215/55QR-17s on 17x7 Mille Miglias, quite a difference.
I got the 17s with 215 width, (in place of a 225 or 245) I think you get a heavier weight to rubber on the road for better overall traction. Now, almost look forward to the snow, the 8 drives and accelerates better than BMers, G35s etc....and better than Mustangs that's for sure. The WS-50 is listed as Studless Ice and Snow. are the LM-22's performance snow treads?