I recently swapped my 17" Kumho run flats out for my 16" Conti runflat snows. They came with the car when I bought it this past summer. My Kumho runflats ride pretty harsh but handle very well. I guess I did not know what to expect when I switched to snow tires, but I ~did not~ expect a much better ride! They ride a lot less harsh. I have not dared to dive into a clover leaf at 70+ mph yet though.

I read some reviews on my Conti RF snows online that stated they sucked. For the time being I will enjoy the softer ride until I skid into a snowbank due to the reported "lack of traction"!

I also have a nasty "shimmy" in the front end now which I think is a balancing problem.

 

You'll notice a difference going from 17" to 16" even if they are both runflats, due to the taller sidewall on the 16s which has more give. Additionally the rubber is softer on snows which helps the ride. The Contis might not have as much snow traction as some others but are still leaps and bounds better than all-seasons or summer tires. In the first good snow, find an unplowed parking lot to test their braking, handling, accelerating capabilities.

 

Yep.
Ditto the empty parking-lot suggestion. Every winter, with the first snow, I take my car to the nearest empty parking lot and play, er, re-acclimate myself with the handling characteristics....
I think it makes me a better driver, and with all the nit-wits behind the wheel here in New England, I want all the help I can get.

 

I switched from summer to winter tires on Sunday - 215/45x17 General Exclaim UHP's to 195/65x15 Blizzaks. I remembered the softer ride and the reduced cornering ability from last winter, but I was still surprised yesterday afternoon when I had to stop very quickly on dry pavement. Braking distance is much, much longer with the snows.

 

Now that you mention it, I tried to jump a yellow light this AM, bailed and jumped on the breaks. It seemed like it took longer to slow down. I thought I was imagining things...

 

I also switched to the Winter shoes last weekend, I put the General Artics on in 205 55 16, the ride is mush, and the handling is not nearly as good. But when the snow starts to fall I am ready to play in it. (Snow Autocross anyone?!)

 

I switched from the 17 Run Flats to the 15" Blizzaks. The ride is smoother and takeoff from a stopped position is speedier with the lighter wheels.
:-)

 

It is amazing how an additional inch of sidewall will smooth out a ride.

 

I enjoy the smoother ride! I am convinced the the 17" runflats and their rough ride are contributing to the "mushrooming" strut towers I now have to fix!!

 

I got the 2 front tires balanced and the shimmy seemed to go away for a day or so, but now its back. Are runflat snows known for not running true? I guess the stick on weights they used to balance the tires could have fallen off? Seems strange after only 1 or 2 days though...