MS3 Winters Tire Rack recommendations

[robin2660]

Opinions, please.

I'm finally getting to buying winter wheels and tires since I sold my Camry. I want to get them soon, as you might imagine. So, going by what Tire Rack has ready to go ....

I can't decide 16 or 17" wheels. Alex at Tire Rack suggested 16's with 205/60Dunlop Wintersport 3D or, if I want 17s, the 215/50 Blizzak. The nod goes to the 16" for snow capability and rim protection, allowing for the taller/narrower tire. They are also cheaper. The 17" wheels will look better but I can only get them in 215's, and I'm not very preoccupied with appearance (all being equal though I'd go with the better look).

I'm happy with both tire suggestions, but a few questions:

Is that much taller tire going to make a huge difference in rim protection?

Will a 205 vs 215 make a huge difference in snow cutting ability?

I'm in Chicago suburbs and would like to err on the side of extra snow capability as opposed to better ride/handling. I drive the car modestly for the most part but like to push it now and then (get that back end coming out a bit ....).

Am I making the wrong decision to go with "Studless Ice and Snow" tires? I haven't had a car with snow tires for over 25 years and that was on a 60's rear drive land yacht. Somehow I got through those tweener years with all-seasons on front drives.

I guess, if nice weather rolls around, it's not too much trouble to break out the summers.

It's still gonna be better handling than the Camry, right?(uhm)

Also, please feel free to recommend good looking (preferably not 10 spoke) wheels for under $150 ea. Car is black.

Thanks for your time.

Update: the only 16" wheel they have is the Sport Edition F10
The best 17 wheel lin terms of price and availability ooks like the Borbet FS, or Sport Edition F2.

 

[Je5ter]

I've got the 18mich X-Ice and I'm fairly happy with them.. Traction pretty much sucks ass on dry pavement when I want to give it a little but I'm pretty sure most winter tires will suck traction wise anyhow.. Snow traction is great.

 

[thrasher69]

For my MS3, I scored a set of 17X7.5 Sport Edition CD wheels with 215/50R17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 tires. It's now the best driving car in the snow I've ever had. Got the set from TireRack for $1010. I live in Milwaukee so I've had many chances to test them out recently...good luck.

 

[Nliiitend1]

I'm rolling on 215/50R17 Dunlop Wintersport M3s mounted on 17"x7" wheels. The tires are not as aggressive of a design as I've had before, but they also perform way better than any of the more "extreme duty" snow tires that I've had in the past on other cars on dry pavement. They're definitely more than adequate for my needs.

 

[robin2660]

I didn't have too many choices this late in the season ....

I ended up going with Alex's (Tire Rack) recommendation and bought the Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds in 205/60/16 with Sport Edition F10s. If I lived in more rural area I'd probably have opted for the Blizzak WS60. Regardless, this tire is superior to any all-season tires I've used for the last 20 years in Illinois (no crashes).

Getting them on today, I think. We're looking at 6 inches plus overnight.

Thanks for your input, guys.

 

[happy and angry]

I'm on 17" Blizzak WS-60's and I've been very impressed with traction in snow, ice, and clear roads. They even hook up pretty well when the roads are clear.

Wish I'd have read this thread sooner, but I hope you're happy with your new rubber.

 

[tubebrner]

I'm rolling on 215/50R17 Dunlop Wintersport M3s mounted on 17"x7" wheels. The tires are not as aggressive of a design as I've had before, but they also perform way better than any of the more "extreme duty" snow tires that I've had in the past on other cars on dry pavement. They're definitely more than adequate for my needs.

I have this same setup and I'm very happy with the Dunlop's. Very impressive dry pavement performance, much better than a dedicated snow/ice tire. And as far as in the snow I think they're great. We had 6" of fresh snow a couple weeks ago and I was cutting through it no problem. I guess I'll get to test them out again tomorrow morning. Supposed to get 6-12" tonight.

 

[wolverine_man]

I can only imagine how good the Winter Sports are. I had to compromise (didn't want to buy two new tire sets - stockers are s***) and I bought the Dunlop SP Sport Signature. By far the best tires I have ever used in the snow and I have owned two SUVs with various different tires a/t and passenger tires. These things just fling snow and we have been getting dumped on here in SW Michigan. If I ever bought dedicated snow tires, I think I'd definitely look into the Winter Sports.

 

[FtCollinsSpeed3]

I put Hankooks with 205 16's on them. Unfortunately I couldn't find any steel wheels that would work so I bought 16 inch alloys for $92 a piece. All told it cost me about $850. The Hankook work great, I live in Colorado and have been up in the mountains in blizzards this year without a problem.

 

[AllLostThings]

I got 215 17in Yokohama Ice Guard tires from DiscoutTireDirect. Best snow tires I've ever had.