Since the M3 and the LM22's are sold out/back order. I am extinguishing my options with a size 18 winter tire, before I am forced to spend $1200+ on 17's w/rims. So this Extreme Contact tire looks to be the best all-season tire with the highest snow traction marks (8.4/10) from tirerack. I read the reviews of the tire but there are only 3 of them, and not 1 has a review of its snow traction. Help please. I heard of Nokian tires I thnk the WR+ in particular but tirerack doesn't carry them. Does anyone here find any problem using this Extreme Contact tire strictly for winter use? Also, the only size is 225/40/18. Would that make much of a difference since it doesn't come in 45? And thirdly, does anyone know where to find that Nokian WR+ tire so I can look up their reviews?

 

I just had some LM22's put on my non-polished original 18" rims on 11/21. Interestingly, I heard the back-order story at one local chain franchise, but a small dealer here got them in a few days for less money. We're expecting snow, so we'll see how they work! I'm in Des Moines, but don't know if that's handy for you or not. $232 each mounted and balanced (including monkeying with the tire pressure sensors).

 

I've noticed recently that there are quite a few more reviews on the ContiExtreme Contacts... and they include snow reviews. In fact, from what I read on them, I've decided to get a set as my year-round tires. We'll see how it goes. They're currently on order, should have 'em on by the end of the week, or early next week. They are not available in the stock size (225/45 18), but according to the calculator) I used, 245/40 18s are close enough.

My thinking is that, while we do get much more snow here in IN than we did in VA, I live in the largest city in the state, where the snow removal is fairly decent. It's not stellar, but I only have about 7 miles to get to work and can take city streets the whole way if necessary. I don't do a lot of snowy weather driving ( I don't like being cold), so I really just wanted a tire that would be able to handle a little snow in case I get caught off guard, or at work... that kinda thing, but without the expense of another set of rims, or semi-annual unmounting/remounting. Plus, I'll get some credit for the remaining tread on the Potenzas, which should help to offset the cost a little.

my 2c.

 

Got the ContiExtremes mounted Friday... got snow on Saturday night. They did great. Once I got 'em broken in a little, wore the silly stickers off the tread, and pumped 'em up to about 40psi, they felt excellent. I motored around town a bit Saturday night, and had no problems... between the tires, the TSC/DSC systems, and my natural caution on snowy roads, it was pleasant.

Also, they look fantastic on the car, and leave cool tracks in the snow.

 

Click here for some pics

Please excuse the dirtiness of the car... I'm so ashamed. :o

 

jdaled

They look just right! I hope to be ordering my tires within the next two weeks. Hopefully the snow will hold out!

Again thanks for the pics they sold me on the size I had settled on. You are right they do not give it the fat tire look and do looke like the rims were designed for them! How do they ride so far?