Winter Tires: Dunlop M3 vs. New Dunlop D3
 

I just called my local tire place (direct tire) to order myself a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3's to mount on stock 18's because i've heard nothing but praise for them...

BUT he told me that dunlop was in the process of phasing those out, and that he could no longer get any... instead, Dunlop is replacing them with the Winter Sport 3D tires... he told me that they are basically the same tire, with the same basic tread pattern, except that a new rubber composite is used in it and it is supposed to be even better on ice than the M3's...

after hearing how great the M3's are, and being excited to buy them, this was a little shock... so, has anyone tried these yet? heard anything about them? im sure they work just as well, maybe even better than the M3's if thats what he says, but im kinda wary of them because theyre new and think it might be safer just to stick with the classic...

ALSO... notice that the M3's come in 225/45/18 while the D3's come in only 225/40/18... besides the speedometer being wrong, is this a problem? will it affect performance???

anyone have any comments? thanks!

P.S. - here are links to the two different tires (notice the tread similarities and differences):
Dunlop WinterSport 3D (225/40/18)
Dunlop WinterSport M3 (225/45/18)

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires are Performance Winter tires developed for sports cars, coupes and sedans, that come from the factory equipped with low profile tires mounted on large diameter alloy wheels. They are designed to provide dry, wet and snow-covered road competence by delivering traction throughout winter's cold temperatures. This tire is replacing the Dunlop Winter Sport M3.

The SP Winter Sport 3D utilizes Dunlop's new reactive silica mixing process to enable its tread compound to provide high elasticity at low temperatures resulting in dependable grip in winter driving conditions. This compound is molded into a directional tread design that reduces the chances of hydroplaning and helps maintain good traction on wet and slush-covered roads. Three different types of high-density sipes define three distinct traction zones in one tire. The central tread blocks features "pulling" sipes to provide traction while accelerating and braking, especially on ice and snow. The intermediate blocks use high-amplitude sipes to enhanced lateral stability and control in wet and slushy conditions. And finally, the 3D sipes in the shoulder blocks interlock to increase dry road stability and handling while continuing to offer the flexibility necessary to grip snow and ice. The SP Winter Sport 3D tire's structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by Dunlop's JointLess Band (JLB) of nylon to optimize the contact patch and minimize tire growth at high speed.

The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D winter radials meet the industry's severe snow service requirements and are branded with the snowflake-on-the-mountain-symbol.

hahaha thanks connor... but with all due respect not the most helpful answer...

i mean, i DID just post a link to your site that you copied and pasted that from, so it can be safe to assume ive already read it... lol.

once again, does anyone have any experience with these?

also, how will the profile change (from 225/45 to 225/40) affect me? perfomance? life? would it be better to stick with a 225/45 instead of the 40?

No experience with the 3D's but I love my M3's. I just checked a couple days ago and last season my M3's lost -0- tread, so they should last a few seasons.

As far as the 40 vs 45, I did that when I went to the Goodyears for my summer tires. The only issue is that the speedometer shows 2-3 mph higher at highway speeds. (I.e., if it says 70, the car is actually going 67.) Other than that, no real difference.

For what it is worth-this info is from the latest Consumers Reports - Ratings performance winter tires.

Nitto Winter SN 1 tires rated a score of 80 while Dulop M3V rated 66. This is a summary of the differences;
snow traction Ice Dry Wet Hydroplaning Noise
Nitto SN 1 E VG G G VG G

Dunlop M3 E Fair Fair VG E VG

I purchased 2 Nitto SN 1 (225/40R-18 92V) from http://www.discounttiredirect.com for $132/ea + shipping which is a great price for tires in this size range.
They have been mounted and are a little noisey - good in the rain - not sure about the snow or ice yet. Will post after 1st snow - which I hope is not until February.

i can swear by my M3's. they got me places that trucks couldn't get. it actually makes it an enjoyable experience driving in snow.

The lower profile won't help in deep snow. Thats the only down side that i can think of really.

How much are you paying for those tires?

good call on the deep snow..


i dont remember what he quoted me, sorry... i think they were cheaper than the M3's a month ago though...

anyway, i think im gonna get M3's from a different place, just because i hear theyre so good... does 914 dollars mounted and balanced on stock rims sound good for M3's? keep in mind that they change all the tires on the rims for free every season for the rest of the tire's life...

M3's = goodness. :rock:

Another downside to the lower profiled tire is less sidewall for cushioning. I know we all hate to think about it, but incidents do happen. I went with 17's and a 55 series M3, just in case I slid into a curb.....or didn't see one of those huge potholes caused by salt and freezing/thawing/refreezing of asphalt cracks.

(edit) I just saw there's a $33 price difference between 225/55-17 and 225/45-18's. If you shop around, you could buy a set of rims for rather cheap. I found my Motegi MR7's for $99 a piece last year....brand new.

I just bought the Dunlop sport 3Ds from tirerack.com.

I'd be interested in knowing how these compare to the M3s as well...

BTW, this is my first post here. This MB is a great find for me. I've been searching and searching and love all the cool info here. Thanks everyone..... :jump:

I have a '06 velocity red 6 speed. . LOVE IT!

welcome! and yeah, this forum is amazing... make sure you post back here once you try them out... i think i'm just gonna buy the M3's to be safe though

Welcom to the Loonie Bin.
:lol:

I put the Dunlop winter sport 3Ds on my car today. The ride is bumpier at higher speeds and the steering is a bit sluggish. Other than that they look great with the kazera wheels. I actually think they look better than the stock ones.

Snow is in the forecast here is Salt Lake... just in time :)

Well I just went thru my first snow in my Dunlop M3's 215/55-17. Let me tell you they were great. Last year I lived in NYC and the stock tires were horrible in the snow, I just slid everywhere, hard to take off. Today I was dreading leaving work because of the snow. We got about 3", take off was a breeze and I even went to a parking lot to really test them out. It's a world of difference, definitely worth the money. I suggest going for the 215/55-17, for one they are cheaper and the 215 being more narrow are better to cut thru the snow. All in all probably the best mod ever, at least for winter driving :mdrmed:

Damnit.

I'm an asshole.

I still haven't bought snow tires.

I may just lease a Jeep Commander for $179 a month.

Yeesh! Snow tires are a LOT cheaper in the long run. Plus they can last several seasons.

:hahano:

I know.

I'm the world's biggest procrastinator.

LOL I can relate. But buy them before the first snow!