I was surprised I could only find posts recommending to get snow tires but not which ones people recomend

I'm using the original wheels 16" wheels for winter wheels (I got the 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 for the summer , they're great but I wasn't smart enough to realize white wheels require constant cleaning )


Well here's what Tire rack has to offer. Any comments?

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 RFT
$149.00

Continental ContlWinterContact TS810
$110.00

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D ROF
$112.00

Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 EMT
$145.00

Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 ZP
$117.00

 

Those could work... Also consider Nokian tires, such as the WRg2, a capable winter weather tire that doesn't suck in the dry. http://tiresbyweb.com/p-7339-nokian-wr-g2.aspx 195/55/16 $174 per tire.

 

What are your typical winter driving conditions?
Where do you live?
How experienced are you at driving in the snow?
Does your city do a good job at clearing roads?
How far do you commute?
Would All Season tires be an option at all? Something like Bridgestone RE-960AS.

 

Well, I use WR's (v1 I guess), and I AutoX with them, about 10 events and they arent showing any excessive wear, so these will certainly last a while. I am using 225/45/17 so they arent super awesome in the snow, but they seem to be all right and the width is really nice to have in the dry, plus the car looks sweet on tires that wide.

They do excellent in the rain, never felt like I have been at risk for hydro-planing.

 

I hear the WRs are great in the dry and a friend recommended them over Blizzaks because of that. However, do they make them in runflats?

EDIT: D'oh. According to the data PDF on Nokian's site, they don't make a 205/45/17. I have a JCW so I need 17's. Oh well.

 

I picked up a set of Hankook IceBears W300 205/50/16 for my 08 MCS. I've heard that they are really good winter tires. A lot of Subaru STi owners up here in Alberta run them. They are not too bad as far as price as well.

 

I run 225/45/17 with some room to spare on stock S-lites.

I cant really say how they perform in the dry, because the only other tires I have had on the car were the stock Goodyear runflats. However I will say that they were an improvement over the Goodyears, certainly in the rain which was a huge improvement, and they do a pretty decent job when I AX if I run 38psi in the front and 45psi in the back. Nothing spectacular, but in my first season I was finishing only about 2 or 3 seconds slower then the next fastest MINI on Azenis...

 

Wow, awesome. I didn't realize you could go that much wider than stock. Going from 205>225 will be nice when I replace my summer tires.

 

My $.02

I've been running Michelin Xice and let me tell you!!! These tires turn a Mini into a snowmobile without all the Monster Garage stuff!!!! Granted in dry conditions there's quite a bit of tread squirm but the traction is acceptable in dry conditions. I use these tires for snow only now since I slapped on a set of BFG's new all season star the G-Force Super Sport AS. Car and Driver and Road & Track found these new all seasons out performed most snow tires in braking, acceleration and hill starts. I have yet to get a light snow in my area but I have had some rain and the wet traction is just amazing (scary though...you get this feeling that if for some reason they were to brake loose your toast...but that never happened). As for the dry traction how does 1.02 lateral G's on the skidpad sound!!!!! BFG has made the ULTIMATE AS tire and thanks to them I have a new touring tire!!! Now keep in mind the stats on this tire are as follows traction AA temp A treadwear 400!!!!!! Yes I said it 1.02 lateral G's with a 400 tradwear tire...need I say more.

If your looking for a snow only tire remember the more narrow the tire the better, if you get a 195 width or narrower then your good to go.