[ssauer2004]

I picked up a set of stock 06 STi rims for my 08. I purchased them from another member on the forum (cgardnerma). He's a good guy and the sale couldn't have been better. The price was right.

What size winter tire should I go with? I also would like some advice on which brand and model tire I should purchase. Any help would be appreciated.

[Edvig]

I put on 235/45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE960s on my 08 and I'm really happy with them. They grip really well for all-season tires. I haven't had them in any sort of snow yet, but the RE960s have handled pouring rain really well.

Check out this list that Luke from TireRack posted over on nasioc:
which tires are best ???? - Tire & Wheel - NASIOC

Ultra High Performance All Season:
Performance tires which are capable of going through the snow.

1.) Potenza RE960 Pole Position
2.) Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
3.) P-Zero Nero M&S
4.) Advan S4
5.) Dunlop Sport 5000
6.) Continental Extreme Contact
7.) BFG G-Force KDWS
8.) Tech M550


I ran the Dunlop Sport 5000 Asymmetrical on my WRX for years. They are a great performing tire and handle all the winter conditions really well, but they do have a very soft side wall. I had Pirelli P-Zero Nero M&S on my Legacy for a winter. The P-Zeros are great tires in the dry, ok in the wet and terrible in the snow.

[talsnic]

All-season does not mean winter tyres!

if you get more than a few snowfall/melts in a "winter" season, then all-season can work.

If you get 1-6 months of snow and ice or 6months like myself, dont skimp on tyres.

You can go either studded or studless.

Studded is rather noisy, but awsome ice grip.

I had to go with studless becouse i had my STI before they knew old BBS would clear the new rotors/brembos. So, Hakka 5 was not in my size of 245/40R18, so i went with RSI.

For studless, #1 has always been Nokian RSI(in north america), followed by the rest of the pack, like X-ice, etc.

for Studded... no question there, #1 is Nokian Hakka 5, but order them with the studs from the factory becouse they are square (an awsome thing). If you get them to put studs into the tyre at the shop, the grip will be much less. The square stud design is what gives nokian its edge against the rest of the brands.

one of the main sources for winter tyre review is
The Snow Tire FAQ Forums - New_SnowTireFAQ

[Edvig]

I'm sorry I didn't clarify my choices. talsnic is right...all season tires are not technically winter tires. To me they are simply NOT summer tires. Since I live in the Tri-State area of NY, I don't feel that a dedicated snow/winter tire is necessary.

[Rootus]

Next winter I'm going to go with LM25 Blizzaks. The past two winters I've used Pirelli PZero Nero M+S. Mostly we get rain, but during the winter a fair amount of ice where I live, and a few times I used them in snow up to about 4" deep. When the tread was good, the Pirellis were "adequate" IMO. As long as you were careful, they'd get you home. But definitely not a dedicated snow tire. And towards the end of their life they were almost deadly on ice, the traction really degraded fast when they started to wear into the wear bars. The noise also went way up.

I just today put on RE01R Bridgestones, so it better not get icy again until next winter .

[Spork]

I put on a set of Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D in the stock size on my stock bbs, no problems at all in ice or snow yet.

[headshokfatty]

Anybody used or heard first hand about the
Nokian Tyres: Tyre Nokian WR G2
I have read lots of positive things, and a kid that works at a auto service center nearby says they are great MN winter AND all season tires.

[BuzSTid]

wr2 are not bad for an all season, i have them on my truck. but they are no match for the rsi's in crappy weather

[Blip]

Do a search on Nokkian RSI,

I am running 225 45 17.

[ACHAHockey]

It's typically better to run a skinnier tire in the winter. I'd say 225/45/17 in either Bridgestone Blizzak, or Dunlop WinterSport M# tires.

[Urban07STI]

Completely agree with ACHAHockey here, no reason to run a "wide" winter tire, narrower is better in this instance. I am running the stock size (225/45/17) Blizzak LM-25 on my 07. This tire kicks ass, pretty much as simple as that. I searched around a lot before this winter, trying to figure out the best winter/snow tire. Don't be fooled by all-seasons, if you are doing real winter driving, get a snow tire. I'm also a New Englander and the numerous ski trips up to northern VT have been made a lot safer b/c of this tires. It takes a considerable amount of effort (or driving like an ass) to get the car to spin out/lose control. One trip when it was 6+ inches of unplowed, VERY slippery snow (if that makes sense?), windy road, saw numerous other cars spinning off the road or traveling no more than 10 MPH, I put the DCCD to lock and cruised along with no sliding/issues.........Everyone else in my car asked me why all the other cars were having problems?

Also, the LM-25 isn't bad in terms of road noise and normal driving performance. A bit pricey, but well worth it IMO.

[Mi_Black_Pearl]

Originally Posted by Spork

I put on a set of Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D in the stock size on my stock bbs, no problems at all in ice or snow yet.

+1

Originally Posted by ACHAHockey

It's typically better to run a skinnier tire in the winter. I'd say 225/45/17 in either Bridgestone Blizzak, or Dunlop WinterSport M# tires.

the M3's only look better and are more expensive...the 3D's get the job done for what it's worth

[ssauer2004]

Originally Posted by Urban07STI

Completely agree with ACHAHockey here, no reason to run a "wide" winter tire, narrower is better in this instance. I am running the stock size (225/45/17) Blizzak LM-25 on my 07. This tire kicks ass, pretty much as simple as that. I searched around a lot before this winter, trying to figure out the best winter/snow tire. Don't be fooled by all-seasons, if you are doing real winter driving, get a snow tire. I'm also a New Englander and the numerous ski trips up to northern VT have been made a lot safer b/c of this tires. It takes a considerable amount of effort (or driving like an ass) to get the car to spin out/lose control. One trip when it was 6+ inches of unplowed, VERY slippery snow (if that makes sense?), windy road, saw numerous other cars spinning off the road or traveling no more than 10 MPH, I put the DCCD to lock and cruised along with no sliding/issues.........Everyone else in my car asked me why all the other cars were having problems?

Also, the LM-25 isn't bad in terms of road noise and normal driving performance. A bit pricey, but well worth it IMO.

VR or HR? I assume VR.

[Urban07STI]

I have the V rated. I believe there is even an option to go Z rated, but that's overkill.

[Subw00er]

Originally Posted by Spork

I put on a set of Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D in the stock size on my stock bbs, no problems at all in ice or snow yet.

Originally Posted by ACHAHockey

It's typically better to run a skinnier tire in the winter. I'd say 225/45/17 in either Bridgestone Blizzak, or Dunlop WinterSport M# tires.

I wholeheartedly agree with these guys. I wont buy any other tire for a sports car. I've tried several brands now and the dunlops are really good. We get pummeled with snow where I live so snow tires are a necessity here. They have excellent road feel, are quiet, and handle GREAT. They are almost good enough in the sumer to keep them on all year, but they are much too soft for that = fast wear. My point is that they have a great sidewall so it doesn't feel like you're on snow tires. I really hate when tires have a mushy feel. They are also very good in the wet.

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..

BTW, I've had two sets of blizzaks, and I think they are awful. They are a great snow tire when new, but lack feel for a sports car. Also I experienced saw toothing on the first set (not on the second, so I know it wasnt my car) and you find that as they wear, they get NOISIER and the compound seems to change and they handle like crap. I really dislike that tire, I'm not sure why its so popular. Again, you'll find different opinions here, just posting my experience with them. Go with the Dunlop wintersports and you'll be very happy.