Winter Tires- opinions

I just got my LM-22's on last night - just in time for the 2 inches of ice, covered with 4 inches of snow. When driving to the shop on my stock tires, I had to go extra slow, and almost got stuck in NTB's parking lot. Driving home, I was going 50mph on the highway passing everything on the road. I wasnt being unsafe doing this either, these tires are awsome. I wish I could help you with the sottozero's, but I can definitely vouch for the LM-22.

So here we go, I wanna order Pirelli winter 240 sottozero, they have only a few reviews and they are all good on tirerack.com, im looking at the 215/45VR18.

Anyone have any first hand expierence?
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May be you should also consider the Dunlop M3 Winter Sport. I have these, and yesterday I had my first chance to test them here in Montreal in stormy conditions. They are great.

Look at the reviews at tirerack.com.

May be you should also consider the Dunlop M3 Winter Sport. I have these, and yesterday I had my first chance to test them here in Montreal in stormy conditions. They are great.

Look at the reviews at tirerack.com.
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Thnx for the info on the other tires, but the prellis are only $149, i really like that price

Thnx for the info on the other tires, but the prellis are only $149, i really like that price
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I went with the Nitto NT-SN1 winter tires 225/40ZR-18 92V.
I think I paid $132 with free shipping.
I've been happy.

Good Luck!

:drive:

I went with the Nitto NT-SN1 winter tires 225/40ZR-18 92V.
I think I paid $132 with free shipping.
I've been happy.

Good Luck!

:drive: [/b]

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same here...just waiting for the 70 degree days in MD to quit so I can put em on! I also looked at the 240's but couldn't find a lot of info on them.

I believe we've already spoken, but I'm currently using Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero's (215/45/18) and they work like a champ! We've been getting some pretty heavy snows as of late, and I'm yet to have one problem at all. On unplowed roads, the car just doesn't seem to care, it pulls through pretty much anything, and actually does pretty well on ice, I've been very impressed so far. On the road/freeway I've been consistently going about 20mph faster than just about everyone else, without speeding too much (about 5mph over the limit). All the while the car stays completely composed. Braking in the snow is pretty decent as well, had to drive on the stock tires during 1 bad snow this year, and let me tell you the difference is HUGE! It's a complete night and day, and what's wierd is that I didn't seem to give up as much grip on dry pavement as I thought I would?!? Either way hope someone else chimes in to help with your decision. Good luck and happy snow driving!

I NEED SNOW TIRES!!! We got a bad snow fall the other day in the Chicagoland area and the stock summer tires suck(I knew they would) :nono:

Someone posted they used a different tire size for winter, normally a good idea but be careful of the rear offset difference. You'll get into clearence issues quick. I just ordered the lm22 also from tirerack.com. the dealer and a friend with an rx8 both recommended.

i run 215/50/17 on my ms6 for the winter package. i bought some dunlops m3's and some sport edition e3's. i know the dumlops are amazing from riding in friends cars. never had them til now. and its still warm here

I am in Peoria, IL, about 3 hours south of Chicago. Man you weren't kidding about that snow. We just got about 1/2 inch of ice, covered in a foot of snow here, seriously.

The stock tires are TERRIBLE at best. The only thing saving this car from being a complete piece of shit in the snow is the 4WD system.

Anyway, my knowledge of tires is... lacking. I don't see any Dunlop M3 in the stock tire size. If I were to buy them what size would I need to get to be as close to the stock size as possible. I am unaware of the effects of not completely matching sizes.

I see 225/45VR18 as being the closest to stock size. What kind of negative effects would occur using a 225/45-18 vs a 215/45-18 (stock size)?

Would it be more beneficial to just get a properly matched tire size? I was thinking the Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero. The Blizzaks are a bit pricey in comparison.

I am in Peoria, IL, about 3 hours south of Chicago. Man you weren't kidding about that snow. We just got about 1/2 inch of ice, covered in a foot of snow here, seriously.

The stock tires are TERRIBLE at best. The only thing saving this car from being a complete piece of shit in the snow is the 4WD system.

Anyway, my knowledge of tires is... lacking. I don't see any Dunlop M3 in the stock tire size. If I were to buy them what size would I need to get to be as close to the stock size as possible. I am unaware of the effects of not completely matching sizes.

I see 225/45VR18 as being the closest to stock size. What kind of negative effects would occur using a 225/45-18 vs a 215/45-18 (stock size)?

Would it be more beneficial to just get a properly matched tire size? I was thinking the Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero. The Blizzaks are a bit pricey in comparison.
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In snow, smaller is better for traction and stability. You've gone larger-you can see where this is going. Trust me, either match stock or smaller or you might regrete it. mazda does suggest the blizzak but there is a pirelli out there in stock size if you don't want to buy new smaller wheels or use a slimer profile.

Well, I just ordered the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 - 225/45-18s.

Illinois usually doesnt have bad winter. In fact, we haven't had a winter this bad since the late 90s. We normally get a few inches, but most of the time the roads are clear. I figured I'd go with a more performance driven tire (in comparison to the Blizzaks). I decided not to go with the Pirellis.

The tires have been ordered from Tirerack.com and will more than likely be installed wed or thurs (until then I'll keep parking a block away in walgreens nice, clean parking lot). I'll let everyone know how they perform... I really doubt the ice and 12" of snow will be gone by then. These tires can't be any worse than the summer tires that are stock.

Oh ya, and I'll more than likely be selling the stock tires (less than 2500 miles on them) because when I take off the winters in a few months I'll be going with RX-8 rims and new tires.

So here we go, I wanna order Pirelli winter 240 sottozero, they have only a few reviews and they are all good on tirerack.com, im looking at the 215/45VR18.

Anyone have any first hand expierence?
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I have them - they are great - sidewall is a little soft though so do not try to kick the back end out on dry ground.

same here...just waiting for the 70 degree days in MD to quit so I can put em on! I also looked at the 240's but couldn't find a lot of info on them.
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Hahaha, we just had those and last night late it started snowing. Should be to you in a couple days :nana:

i run 215/50/17 on my ms6 for the winter package. i bought some dunlops m3's and some sport edition e3's. i know the dumlops are amazing from riding in friends cars. never had them til now. and its still warm here
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I have the exact same setup. It has been snowing off and on for about 10 days in the foothills outside Denver, ant I am very impressed by the tires. The satin silver painted wheels look great with Titanium, too.

If you live where it snows, get the stock tires off NOW. Mine have 5000 miles on them, and they are basically slicks with four rain grooves. Treacherous.

Thnx for all the help guys, Im gonna go with the Pirelli's, Ill let you know how I make out after the first snow fall!

Jason

I got the Blizzak WS-5's. I would NOT recommend them at all, the car handles like shit.

I should of spent the extra couple hundred to get the LM-22's.

Well, I bit the bullet and bought the same tires as the OP. Unfortunately the warehouse closest to my zip is out and had to pay an extra $33.

Should've ordered yesterday when they weren't "low stock." Damn. Will report back when I get them installed.

Tirerack.com
I just bought these tires (Pirelli Winter 240 SnowSport Performance Winter tires) for my MS6. 225/40/18. I will get them put on on the 8th Dec 2006. I'll let you know how they do in the snow. :drive: