[talsnic]

sometimes the old fashioned thought of skinnier is better than fatter tyres isnt always better. if you live in an area where most of the deeper snow is removed most of the time, then fatter tyres will aid is greater traction on the remaining ice. Although, if you have studded tyres, skinner is better becouse it puts more weight on each stud to cut into the ice.

just food for thought.

[Wronks]

I put on Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3's (245/40/R18) and they work awesome. Very grippy on icy and snow covered roads/terrain.
Most of the snow on the roads in my area now has melted, and these tires perform very well on dry (Non-snow covered) as well.
If you buy them off tirerack.com they are relatively cheap.
Overall, these tires perform the way they were designed and are excellent high performance WINTER tires.

[TravisAK]

i've used Blizzak's (WS-50's and LM-22's) and wintersports, all are incredible tires. The wintersports are a little better when it's dry, but the blizzak WS-50's are unreal when it's dumping. LM-22's were on my S4, WS-50's were on my M3 and now wintersport's on my '08 STi. you can't go wrong with any of them, but if you want more all season go with the wintersport's. my brother had them on his Mini and loved them as well.

[Mi_Black_Pearl]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

I
Next season, I will get the M3 or 3D - which ever is cheaper. I guess the 3D is the newer version but for some reason its a little more expensive..

more expensive??? ..when i last checked to purchase my winter tires, the m3's,which i was initially going to buy, were the more expensive compared to the 3D's....perhaps it's different for the 08 sti's 18" bbs?

[RevTo9K]

I love the Blizzak LM 25 V rated tires in 225 width on my 06. No complaints.

[jm02130]

Just bought an '08 WRX STi. Traded in my '06 Outback Wagon (2.5XT) I'm one of those buyers that Subaru was targeting when it made the STi a hatchback. I would never buy anything with a pimply adolescent spoiler. I looked at the Beemer 328xi and 335i but if you want 300 hp you can forget about 4WD. The price also goes well over 50K when you start adding to the base model, and it's not nearly as much fun to drive.

Back to tires. I will suffer through the stock Dunlops until next fall. They suck in the snow.

Then I will buy some new lightweight wheels and a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires, just as I had on the Outback. Expensive as hell (like the STi) but worth every penny (like the STi) for serious winter driving.

[Mi_Black_Pearl]

Originally Posted by jm02130

Just bought an '08 WRX STi. Traded in my '06 Outback Wagon (2.5XT) I'm one of those buyers that Subaru was targeting when it made the STi a hatchback. I would never buy anything with a pimply adolescent spoiler. I looked at the Beemer 328xi and 335i but if you want 300 hp you can forget about 4WD. The price also goes well over 50K when you start adding to the base model, and it's not nearly as much fun to drive.

Back to tires. I will suffer through the stock Dunlops until next fall. They suck in the snow.

Then I will buy some new lightweight wheels and a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires, just as I had on the Outback. Expensive as hell (like the STi) but worth every penny (like the STi) for serious winter driving.

serious winter driving with serious winter tires...all seasons wont quite cut it

[jm02130]

Originally Posted by Mi_Black_Pearl

serious winter driving with serious winter tires...all seasons wont quite cut it

The studs are too noisy (and not legal in my state).

[chelidon]

Originally Posted by jm02130

The studs are too noisy (and not legal in my state).

Serious winters don't have to have studs. Nokian RSi or Dunlop 3D (in order of preference), both studless and both awesome on snow and ice, FTW.

[jm02130]

Thanks for those recommendations. I will check those tires out.

[Mi_Black_Pearl]

def, im running with the dunlop winter sport 3D...no problems what-so-ever during the time i've had them...control FTMFTW!

[jm02130]

Dunlop must have improved their designs. I had a set of Dunop non-studded snows about 10-11 years ago, and I thought the Michelins were better.

[Brand]

I'm running Gislaved Nord Frost 5's, without the studs in. I'm running wide and narrow sidewall and they can handle anything Colorado has thrown at me so far.

[Mi_Black_Pearl]

Originally Posted by jm02130

Dunlop must have improved their designs. I had a set of Dunop non-studded snows about 10-11 years ago, and I thought the Michelins were better.

lol ten years is a long time...long and sure enough for improvements...tho michelins make a good winter tire as well (Pilot Alpin PA2)...good survey on here for winter tires you'd want to consider > Tirerack

[jm02130]

I'll consider some of those tires. I often buy from the Tirerack.

I drive in the White Mts of NH all winter, and have to cope with just about everything: dry pavement, ruts, frost heaves, ice, light snow, heavy snow, slush, sleet, gravel, frozen gravel, moose dung...you name it. I like the Michelin A/S tires because at 85 mph on dry pavement they are almost as good as dedicated Summer tires (and just about as quiet), but they are also very good when it's slippery.