I know there are a million threads about the different tire sizes and wheels, as well as brand names. My question is a little more straightforward than most. I know that I am getting 17inch wheels and tires but not sure which tire to spring for. I am looking at either the dunlop graspic DS-2, the pirelli winter 210 snowsport, or the blizzak ws-50. if anyone owns one of these and can give me your take that would be greatly appreciated as i want the best bang for my buck. if you have any other recommendations that would be awesome as well. thanks for the help!

 

LM-22s...I've got them in 18s on stock and am very very happy with them

go out and get the 17s of them

 

^^^I would trust anyone who lives in minnesota about snow

 

 

LM 25 is the successor of the LM 22 I think and they're available for our stock rims (though I don't think for appropriate 17 rims). Didn't drive with them in the snow yet (since we have none so far), but they feel very good at low temperatures so far. Test results on snow and ice are very good from what I have seen.

 

Read the reviews on TireRack!

 

actually the LM25s are not the successors to the LM22s but rather a the Unidirectional version of the LM22s

most places sell the LM22s and the LM25s at the same price except Bridgestone/Firestone outlets where the LM25s will have a slightly higher starting retail price

both will be an available product line (I called Bridgestone about this when I was researching)

performance wise they should be almost identical but the LM22s will be a bit better in snow and the LM25s will be a bit better in rain (unidirectional)...probably unnoticeable

Both use the same technologies but because the LM25 is unidirectional you can not rotate the tires...so their lifespan will be decreased

I've read that average lifespan for decent winter tires is only 15,000 miles, yikes since the 18inch high end winter tires cost a grand

 

Of those three - get the Pirelli Winter210 SnowSport. Avoid the WS-50 like the plague, you will hate them on dry pavement - ANY of these others will be far better. Other suggestions: Toyo Garit HT 215/55-17 (what I got last year), Bridgestone LM-22, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2, Dunlop M3.

Regards,
Gordon

 

From my experience they're quite good in the rain, far better than the Potenzas for sure. Traction loss while shifting at high revs can be an issue when they're still cold though (slightly lost some traction when shifting to 4th at 80 mph, with Potenzas when shifting to 6th at 75 mph [which should be utterly harmless] under same conditions - 3° and on wet road).

You can still rotate them rear <-> front.

Winter tires are softer than summer tires, so in general they wear down faster. But I think the added safety is worth every cent. The Potenzas were quite slippery at 3° in the rain, the LM 25s increase traction by a subjective 30-50%. Besides that, I sometimes spend a grand a month for fuel (1,15 €/l here), that's just the way it is with our beloved RX-8.

 

OK, I need to go verify, but I think my LM-22s are directional! BTW, they were great last year and so far so good with one decent snowfall this winter.

 

Spoke with someone from TireRack and was recommended the Dunlop M3 in a 225/50/17 size.

 

that is what Bridgestone themselves told me when I called them...but Tirerack says otherwise and usually they copy the the manufaturers 'talking points'

so I'm confused but really I don't care I'm happy with my LM-22s

 

I used these all last winter and they rocked. I have been very happy with them.

 

According to the Bridgestone homepage, LM 22s are unidirectional. But then I guess many high performance winter tires are unidirectional.

Edit: Also on the hp, they call the LM 25 the "new generation" of the LM 22 with increased performance on ice and wet roads.

 

I bought the Hankook WS300 this year. I am impressed after a 85 mile stretch of loose snow and ice over the Thanksgiving holiday. I had the LM-22 on my GTI and I would say they are very close with the Hankook giving up a little more traction on the dry stuff.

 

I have the Dunlop Graspics on 17's

225-50-17

Just did a comparo between my RX8 with snows and my Protege5 with the all season Dunlops

Snow is coming down hard in the western Twin Cities right now. The 8' actually felt more planted than my P5 - go figure.

I have had the WS50's and LM22's on my Miata and so far (albeit a short time frame) the Graspics seem to do the job just as well as the LM22's. No need to drive like a maniac in a Minnesota winter, so justifying the LM22 on 17's or 18's wasn't even necessary.

I vote Graspics

 

What size?

Vince

 

225/50-17. The tire is very quiet and smooth riding.