[stevecn]

I am in the process of picking winter tires and wheels. I am hearing conflicting comments as to whether a true snow tire is needed or if a M+S rated tire is sufficient with the STi's all wheel drive. Can anyone comment on what they ran this past winter and how they went? Thanx much.

Steve

[HPH]

It all depends on where you live (that is, what kind of winter conditions you encounter) and how you expect to drive in the winter.

I believe that the OEM STi tires are useless -- even dangerous -- in winter conditions, and I bet plenty of people can confirm that.

My own approach is to fit my car with tires that allow me to drive in the winter just like (or as close as possible to) how I drive in the summer. Here in the northern New Mexico mountains, that means four H- or V-rated true winter tires (I've been running Dumlop WinterSport M2s on my Audis, and I'm looking at the new M3 for my new STi) from about early November to early April. Because most of the time the pavement is dry, I'm lucky to get two seasons out of a set.

When I lived in Colorado, I ran four studded winter tires (my last set was Gislavads, and were they ever good!) on my Audis. Perhaps overkill, but the car was unstoppable. HPH

[crashsti]

if your going to see sustained snow on the ground go with a dedicated winter tire. if your going to just get light snow an all season should be ok. i almost regretted going with the Blizzak LM-22's but when we goy storm after storm after storm i was'nt sorry.

[stevecn]

[quote="crashsti"]if your going to see sustained snow on the ground go with a dedicated winter tire. if your going to just get light snow an all season should be ok. i almost regretted going with the Blizzak LM-22's but when we goy storm after storm after storm i was'nt sorry.[/quote


I am in Mass. as well. The issue is that Rt128, 495, 9 etc. are all plowed very quickly after a storm and then you are left driving on bare pavement. This is where the true snow stinks and you want the M+S all season. But the M+S is not rated for snow when you need it. It is difficult finding a solution that is the best of both worlds. You were obviously happy to have the snows on. That's good data. Where in Mass. are you?

[Slowride]

Originally Posted by stevecn

But the M+S is not rated for snow when you need it.

Say what? S is for snow. No, you wouldn't want them for the Rally of Sweden, but they're fine for getting around.

[HPH]

I think he's confused about the difference of All Season tires and true snow tires. AS tires are indeed weak when you really need them in snow. True winter tires, the ones with the little snowflake logo, are what I was talking about. Unfortunately, true snow tires are almost never rated higher than V, so there's always a performance compromise. HPH

[Yukonart]

Well, I snowboard, and YES I use the STi (with Thule rack and all) to head up to the mountains every weekend in the winter. For me, going with true winter tires was the way to go. Living in the Seattle area, snow isn't a rarity so much as it is an inconsistency. You never know when you're going to go rain all winter or see half a dozen snowstorms. (Thanks off-shore weather systems!)

Anyway. . . my point is, look at how you're going to be using your car in the winter months. If you MIGHT have to actually drive through snow, get a really good set of all-seasons. If you're GOING TO drive in the snow for sure, I'd go with winter tires. Sure, they wear a bit faster, but knowing with almost absolute certainty that you'll not get stuck is worth it to me.

Oh yeah, I have my set of Blizzak LM-22s stovepipe-stacked in my garage, still mounted on the Rota Tarmac IIs. (Got the gunmetallic so they never really look dirty) :P

(figured I'd post it for inspiration)