Goldenhue22

Now that the M3's are no longer available which 18" snow tire would be best as far as snow traction and great wear?

Gord96BRG

Great wear is tough in that size - the only other winter choice in that size that I know of off-hand is the Blizzak LM-22. Those are much better tires than the regular Blizzaks like the WS-50 (not quite as good ice grip, better overall traction and handling for all-around winter use) and should last longer, but I don't know how long. One feature of almost any winter tire that works against long tread life is that the compounds are usually quite soft. I've had sets of winter tires last me for 6+ winters though (with lots of driving on them), so I'm not sure what to expect from my current Toyos or the LM-22s.

Regards,
Gordon

carnut

That's what I'm having put on this week.

akrx8

what do you mean no m3`s available?just got a set from the tirerack in 18s three weeks ago.

o.k.,i jumped the gun and saw the thread,im glad i got mine when i did.

connor@tirerack

actually right now the tire rack is out of both the M3's and the LM-22. ***Moderator Edit***. These are the only two snow tires available in the 225/45/18 size. both are very good tires however the LM-22 does offer a higher ice and snow traction level.

Gord96BRG

As an alternative, people can consider getting 17" wheels and choosing from the wider selection of available 17' winter tires in 215/55-17 or 225/50-17. Even then, some of those will be sold out soon...

Regards,
Gordon

Goldenhue22

I find it absurd that tire companies stop production of winter tires just before winter! I makes no sense at all.

"Hello, sir. Yes. We used to carry that winter jacket but since winter is just 3 weeks away the company isn't making it anymore. Next time try buying in the early fall late summer before you reall need it."

DUMB.

connor@tirerack

it isn't that the company just stops producing them. All tires are produced in the same manor. when tires are produced it take an entire assembly facility. that facility produces one tire type at a time. when they finish that production run the entire facility is shut down and all of the molding and assembly machines are reset to a different tire type. the difference is that since snow tires are used in only certain areas and for a limited time they only produce a certain volume which is based on the previous years selling volume. they do this so that they are not sitting on huge unsold stock durring the later winter, spring, and summer. the easiest way to tell how the market is going to fare is to watch the norther mid-west plain states. normally the earlier they get snow the faster we run out of tires. colorado and minnesota were seeing snow around mid august which is when people started ordering.

Goldenhue22

Yeah I just learned how the tire distribution works. But Dunlop should learn how to better predict buying habits of consumers. They lost out BIG TIME this time. Better luck next year Dunlop. Even if they come out with a 2nd stock of these tires, waiting until later December early January is much too late.

connor@tirerack

i have to agree with you. regrettably the manufacturer don't seem to listen to the public about things like production volume. but this happens with all tire types not just snow tires.