Which winter tire for MSP?

[sbagdon]

Just about have this winter tire thing figured out. Trying to decide between the Blizzak WS-50 (Ice/Snow) or Blizzak LM-25 (Performance Winter).

I'm really leaning towards the LM-25. I've owned many sets of WS-50s, and they ARE awesome in the snow. But they wear quickly, and are crap in the dry (comparatively speaking! ). Given our snow patterns here in Metro Detroit (infrequent falls), and the speeds driven when it's dry during the winter, the "performance winter" seems a more logical choice then the "snow/ice".

Anyone from around here have any input?

Steve B.
'03.5 MSP

 

[HASE]

Yes, the snowfalls can be infrequent, but the slush sucks. Also the roads get worse than they normally are.
I think you will do fine with anything that is a cold weather / winter tire.

I have ws 40's (I think it was the predecessor to the ws 50) and this will be their 3rd snow season (Probably their last)

I use them on the back and I have a set of goodyear ultragrip studded on the front. The car is unstoppable with this setup.

 

[ping]

Try Michelins

Think what you will about Michelin and their effect on the USGP this year... but... their snow tires are really good. I have a lot of miles on the X-ice and Arctic Alpin on at least 4 different cars, and have nothing but good to report. Not balooney and squishy in the dry, good in the wet, and good/great on snow and ice. As good as Blizzaks without nearly the wear, noise, and squishy performance. Yes, they are snows and won't outperform even the stock 040's in the dry, but they're as good as all-seasons in the dry/wet, and much better in the snow.

My Dad ran blizzaks a lot, didn't get a lot of mileage out of them, and years ago I had the opportunity to run his Jetta and mine back to back on Blizzaks (his) and Arctic Alpins (mine). Both of us voted the AA far superior, and the X-ice is better still. Both whine a little on wet roads, but they're not clunky/chunky in the dry.

I'm running Semperits on P5 16" alloys and am quite pleased with them as well. I'm actually thinking of going 16" year-round, since the car tracks better with 16's and they're available much lighter (with the weight closer to the wheel center).

Good luck whatever you choose - given Detroit area roads, get something sturday, with a decent sidewall (16" preferably) to get through those expansion joints and potholes!

 

[scott42]

I agree with Ping, although I just bought a set of dunlop graspics because I couldn't find the AA's (I know there will be like 34593 links to them now). I drove home from NYC to Phila in the worst snow storm I've ever driven i abuot 3 years ago with the AA's. talk about confidence while driving. I wanted to stay out all afternoon and night once we got home. I think from the time we left to when we got home it snowed about 2 feet. VERY VERY fun being on the jersey turnpike, no plows, no traffic (other than idiotic SUV drivers crashed over to the side), and 7-8 inches of fresh snow. The Graspics did well on my nissan with 13s and the price was right, so we'll see how they do on 16s on the mp3. I only hope the Graspics can come close. If so, I'll be fine.

 

[eddiejoe56]

I suffered thru my first winter on the stock Potenza's and nearly crashed two different times. I purchased the Blizzak WS-50 on Koenig Trouble wheels as my winter set and am very pleased. They pull me thru 12" snow blizzards without a problem. I put on 11,000 miles last winter and still have plenty of tread. Just put these on last weekend because of our first snow on Saturday.

 

[BradC]

I have some Pirelli Snow Sports.

They are not as good of a snowtire as my michelin arctic alpins, but they are a much better overall winter tire. They are h speed rated, and are quiet and can corner well.

 

[Pska]

I got Toyo's (dunno the model) but they are awesome. goin on 3rd season with em, lots of tread left... and they are pretty sweet on dry pavement too! grip like mothers

 

[FlyinMSP]

I have some Pirelli Snow Sports.

They are not as good of a snowtire as my michelin arctic alpins, but they are a much better overall winter tire. They are h speed rated, and are quiet and can corner well.

I have those as well. Good ice tire but not that great on wet snow. Great on the dry though! I'm gonna put back on my Graspic... mushy sidewall but very safe tire, plows through anything you throw at them!

BTW I live in Montreal, Canada and here it snows and gets very cold!

 

[BradC]

I have those as well. Good ice tire but not that great on wet snow. Great on the dry though! I'm gonna put back on my Graspic... mushy sidewall but very safe tire, plows through anything you throw at them!

BTW I live in Montreal, Canada and here it snows and gets very cold!

I agree completely. Dry snow they work well though...

 

[FlyinMSP]

Dry snow they work well though...

Yes, indeed

 

[goku4658]

get the ws's...get an all-out snow tire for the winter and an all-out performance tire in the summer.

 

[cvp0917]

hankook icebears are great, just the normal driving on marshmallow feel or snow tires though. my car was a little beast in the snow last year.

 

[mdaj]

I have Semperit Sport Grips on Konig Theory wheels. The tires are great. No problems at all.

 

[ping]

I have Semperit Sport Grips on Konig Theory wheels. The tires are great. No problems at all.

(rockon)

I have the same Semperits, just put 'em back on yesterday and aired 'em up. They make the car feel better than the worn RE040s even in the dry... lighter on its feet. Grip is not as good but compares very well to all-seasons, and they're super quiet. I don't know that they're available anymore but they're making me very seriously consider 16" wheels and 205/55 tires year-round... I'd need great 16" wheels though, and can't find any I'm thrilled with. Maybe Rota Slipstreams, but I've only ever seen 'em in black, and that's not the look for my black car. ("Lord Vader, your chariot awaits...")