I thought I had another 3-4 weeks to figure this out.........but found out my Countryman should arrive at the dealer TODAY!!! Wyoming winter driving.

So, looking for 225/45 R18.

Tirerack has Blizzak LM-60, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3, Pirelli Winter 240 Soltozero Serie II, or Michelin X-Ice X12.
Peerless has the Blizzak.

Would appreciate any input, pleaseandthankyou!!

 

I've heard nothing but good things about the Blizzaks and the X Ice's. Can't comment on the others as I don't know much about them.

 

Blizzaks are phenomenal on just FWD ... if you're getting an All4, they'll be pretty much unstoppable.

 

Have Blizzaks on my Subie wrx, but they aren't that model. They are dedicated Snow/Ice not Performance Snows. Treadwear hasn't been outstanding but performance in snow/slush has been fabulous. I'll only get two seasons out of them after this year (which equates to approximately 20k miles). BUT they are crazy GREAT in the snow.

Tirerack reviews like the X-Ice too (and I wouldn't hesitate to try those in the Snow/Ice category). They seem to have better ratings in ice and deep snow than the PA3. Also, they look to be 3 lbs heavier each tire and are marked as GreenX if that matters to you.

Going Performance Snows category I'm interested in the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 as well. I'll be in the same boat (but at the tail end of the season) come early April. It's always interesting to read reviews for Performance Snows because I think those reviewers inherently expect their tire to perform at maximum versus people putting normal Snow/Ice tires on (more conservative driver maybe?)

It doesn't appear there are a lot of miles reported on each tire.

Keep us posted on what you end up with and update their performance!! You are in a similar area to me.

 

Thanks for the input, everyone.

days.........where are you in Utah?

 

I have Blizzak's for first time LM-60's.....will be buying more when these wear out.....a phenominal tire.

They actually get stickier the colder it gets outside....well worth the money.

 

I would upsize by 10mm to 235/45R18 on Dunlop Wintersport M3's. The king of winter tires, IMHO. Ran these on an e46 M3 for 5 years with exceptional performance with respect to snow and ice handling, as well as wear characteristics. Keep in mind, I was running a staggered 225F/255R set up with 333hp. If these tires could keep that car from getting stuck in 12" of snow, they will turn an All4 Countryman, or fwd equivalent, into a mountain goat.

 

I'm back and forth between Park City and Salt Lake City, with frequent trips up all canyons.

Ahhh, first hand experience for the LM-60's... from Gray Raven. Nice recommend.

LOTS of subie owners run the Dunlop Wintersports and swear by them. I didn't think about upsizing to get into those for the Countryman. Great idea.

 

Hi there! I traded my 18" Summer for a set of Michelin X-Ice and I recommend them highly. 225/45 R18. I also like how the tires look on the rim (black 5 spoke).

 

Are you going to be in deep snow or plowed roads mostly? My village doesn't get plowed but once I'm on secondary roads and the autobahn they're plowed and salted. I was on 235/40 and 255/40 Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds the last two seasons and they've been great.

 

I run the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3's on my '03 S and last year they proved their value with the severe snows we had last year. I highly recommend them. I picked them over the Blizzak's based on performance ratings on Tirerack.com.

 

Within town, the main streets often get plowed eventually. The smaller neighborhood streets never get plowed, and get packed down. The interstates get plowed, but blowing snow is more the problem there. When heading to the mountains, conditions vary mostly depending on timing of the most recent storm. A few years back, I was in the blizzard in Denver that dumped 20 inches of snow.............and my 04 MCS JCW with 4 studded tires did absolutely fine!

 

I have used the Dunlop Wintersports on 2 different cars on the recommendation of a tire store I trust. I'm not sure what I do differently than those that seem to really like them, but they simply don't measure up to Blizzaks, in my opinion. I drove a Camaro Z28 for 2 seasons on Blizzaks, and I will not buy anything but Blizzaks any more.

 

If you're not going to be in deep snow, I'd avoid Happkelitas and Blizzaks and go for performance snows. PA3s, Wintersport 3Ds, and ContiWinter Contacts would be my first choices.

 

I think it depends on what you're driving on. In deep snow and on ice the Blizzaks OWN. If it's light snow and cold temps there are better options, IMO.

YMMV

 

I agree totally with Quality Sound....all tires are by nature a compromise. I've had Blizzaks on several vehicles in the past but currently run Hak's on our two vehicles; an AWD Volvo V50 and my RWD MX-5 Miata.

Blizzaks, Michelin X-Ice and similar are supreme on the ice and slushly snow. Where you compromise with them is in dry winter driving conditions.

Choose your winter tires based upon your local weather, snow removal capabilities where you live and your willingness to "drive on marshmellows" with your Blizzaks/Michelin X-Ice when winter roads are dry/clear. [IMO]

For me, my Miata gets me thorough 95% of any Iowa winter weather (good snow removal where I live) on the Hak's (got 10 winter seasons out of my first set) and for the other 5%.....the schools are closed and I take the AWD Volvo.

Last night it was a balmly ~ 30 degrees...roads were pretty clear, top was down and I was enjoying my drive home from work

 

Just put on a set Blizzak WS70 on my '05 Subie Legacy GT the week before this latest LI storm. Bottom line- the car is a snowcat- ice, packed snow, deep snow performance is outstanding. My 2 cents.

 

Blizzacks or X-ice. Chuck swears by the Blizzacks and my oldest son is using the X-ice in Norway.

Snowtires are mandatory in the winter/cold months in Norway, no snows makes for a big/big fine.

i'm thinking Blizzacks on my 07, the ALL4 is doing fine on the Conti All-seasons.

Don

@eeyore did you get your CM yet? It is black with JCW stuff right?

 

--Hankook Optimo H727 all seasons, if you're looking for a double duty type of tire. These things have served me well on my Cooper S for up to 6 inches of snow on the road. They're rated better than some snow tires, and better than all other all seasons in snow and ice. For me they're the most comfortable road tires I have EVER driven on in the dry and wet. In the snow and ice, I see the traction control light far less, and when I do, I have stable great control and the tires soon grab on and get me through the mush and ice. They're not high performance tires, so if you intend to take your countryman to the track look elsewhere, but for every day driving and cold weather this is an awesome choice.

If you're wanting a dedicated snow tire, check out the General Altimax Arctic. These snow tires smoke all the other snow tires out there. And a ton of MINI drivers swear by them with or without studs. General used to suck, but this is actually the european division of Continental that produces this tire, and rebranded it to General for U.S. distribution.

Happy snow motoring!