No, I'm not looking for a recommendation, I'm providing one.

I put a new set of Dunlop Wintersport M3s (225/55/17) on my base 17" RL wheels and I am very impressed. They handle wonderfully and have a much stiffer sidewall than the HX MXM4 all seasons that came on the car. They are amazing close in terms of handling to the Goodyear F1 GS-D3s I purchased for summer driving. Yes, things feel a bit softer given the big tread blocks of winter tires, but no softer than the MXM4s did. I usually feel I am resigned to milder driving once my winter tires go on, but not with these tires....at least until the snow starts flying!

Try'em, you'll like them.

 

Thannks for the tip. I am going to try my all-seasons for a bit and if I can't get the desired performance out of them....well, that's why I kept my stock 17's.

 

I have Dunlops M3 on my car for 2 weeks now and I am happy with them to. Where is snow?

 

I have to get winter tires before the fall because winter tires are now required by law around here (came into effect Apr 1st).

I find that the choice is very limited for the standard OEM size (245/50-17) especially for the top brands/types listed in the November 2006 issue of Consumer Reports. The top tire in CR was the Goodyear Ultra Grip GW3, second was Nitto Winter SN1 and third was Continental ContiWinterContact TS810. I believe none of those are available in the OEM size. (Dunlop M3 were #6 on the list.)

However, 225/55-17 is much more common and is available for the Goodyear Ultra Grip GW3. (I assume this is why cwdonahue got that size) Did anyone drive on those tires? Is Acura "approving" the 225/55-17 tire size? Any comments/suggestions?

 

225/55-17 is actually the "recommended" winter tire size. The reason is the smaller width has improved traction over the OEM 245 width.

 

I once had a SAAB turbo with some special Red Line Michelin tires with a weird rim diameter, 15-1/2 in. I think. They were very wide and literally lifted the front end off the ground when driving through deep snow, as if the tires were "planing" on snow. I was forced to switch to steel wheeels and a narrower profile. Solved the problem.

 

I have the Goodyear Ultra Grip GW3. I was quite happy with their performance this past winter.

 

Great. That supports the Consumer Reports findings. Did you find them a bit stiff?

 

Mine weren't too stiff. They were quite comfy.

 

Thanks. A sales guy was telling me that Goodyears are stiff tires that take a bit of time to get used to. Maybe he was referring to the "V" rating even though a Winter tire and, as such, much stiffer than the Q and T rated winter tires. Glad to hear (read) that they were comfy.

 

I drive in New England (mostly MA, NH, and ME) and have traditionally mounted 4 snows on either front or rear drive cars. My 06 RL is the first AWD car I've owned and was wondering what to expect with all season tires.
Frankly I'm trying to avoid the major investment in a second set of wheels/tires. I don't like to mount/dismount on a single set of wheels because of potential damage to the alloy wheels.
Comments and suggestions are welcome, even with recommendations for the best all season tire.

 

My recommendation would be to go with snow tires. Definitely do not drive in snow with the OEM all season tires, very dangerous. I drove in snow with the OEM Michellin tires and the car was all over the road.
Since mounting snow tires, the car handles like a snow cat, very stable and inspires confidence. You can try your car in the snow with the OEM's, or another brand of all season tire, but I personally wouldn't recommend it.

 

Any advice on reasonably priced 17 in. wheels that will fit?

 

Initially, I tried getting a set of wheels thru the Tire Rack. Even though I went thru their step by step menu of car/year/model etc., etc., the wheels ended up not fitting because the brake calipers hit. I have since been just changing over to snows on the original wheels. Best bet would be to get a set of the original wheels off ebay. Remember, you will need the TPMS sensors also.