DeltaCTU24

After driving on the General Exclaims UHPs today here in NJ during blizzard conditions and I decided not to risk any longer. Will give a review after they get here.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Good decision =)

dave_ramkumar

iTrader: (5)

i think im gonna get the bridgestone blizzak for my m3

DeltaCTU24

I would go with the Dunlop Wintersport M3's. Brother has them on his 330ci ZHP and they pull better through the snow then my father's Audi A6 with all seasons. Plus with the Dunlops they have the best dry performance. However, they are noisy and they are prone to bubble in the sidewalls.

blkaspec

I agree, nice choice. This is the second full season with them on and I am a fan. I have no other snow/ice tires to compare to, but so far so good

DeltaCTU24

i ordered 215/45/17 I hope that will fit the OEM 17" wheels on an 04.

Masta120

Not too knowledgeable about snow tires and traction, but is the traction better with narrow tires? My 05 TL came with 235/45/17, but even tirerack suggested 225 or 215 tires.

Also, does rim size affect (16s or 17s) the traction? Or the tire height?

blkaspec

Rim size affects sidewall height...the more the better i would assume. So the smaller the wheel the more tire/rubber there is to make up the same diameter setup as stock. And the narrow tire allows more weight to be applied over a smaller area thereby increasing the "sweet spots" effectiveness. Different story on dry roads though, were you want more surface area touching the ground.

This may not be completely accurate, but close.

Masta120

So more sidewall height is better for traction too?

DeltaCTU24

Well, it's been a few days and a few hundred miles that I put on the tires. Unfortunately I've only been able to test drive in them in the dry but they are MUCH more responsive then my General UHP were. The stiff sidewalls makes lane changing a lot more crisp and defined. Dry stopping power is phenomenal. I'm pushing through corners on this thing like its a RWD car. However, after 3-5 miles I would think the tires would warm up and when pushing the car through a corner it does tend to break traction easily and the traction control light would come on. This worries me because if it breaks traction easily in the dry and cold. How will it do in the snow? I'm hoping it snows tomorrow here in NJ so I can give it a test in wet conditions. Will keeping you guys updated.

DonnieDarko8221

The Michelin X-Ice Xi2's will do great in the snow. I had mine installed the day before we had a snowstorm. I was easily cruising 45-50 mph on my way to work in the morning on the highway when other traffic was doing 30-40mph (4x4 pickup trucks and AWD SUVs).

While making left or right turns in city driving on streets that had only been plowed once my car would slide a tiny bit before gripping and gaining traction.

Don't forget that these are snow tires so they are not meant to be driven real aggressively even though they should be more than capable. I usually drive about 75mph on clear, dry highways with these tires. Oh yeah, mine are mounted on a set of 16 inch steel wheels, too. The smaller, more narrow wheel and tire is supposed to be better for cutting through the snow.

27reno

blizzak WS70s are great...they rippp through the snow!!!

DeltaCTU24

Oh I forgot to mention. Because I dropped down to 215 instead of 235 my speedometer now reads 4-5 MPH higher than usual. So today I got to try it out with 2-3 inches of snow in the area. The braking power is SUBSTANTIALLY better than my Generals are in the snow. As far as traction, the wheels spin at first but it takes a little bit to gain a little traction when the traction control light comes on then it just climbs. This morning I just remote started my car. Walked into it 10 min later. Hit the wipers, threw it in drive and it climbed out of my drive way pretty well. On the highway I was a little nervous of hitting the snow banks that forms on the sides of lanes but when changing lanes it was pretty solid and when a car in front of my spun out, the braking and swerving capability did pretty well. I guess, you just have to be patient and the wheels will slip as soon as you hit the gas. Probably because there's just too much torque going to the front wheels but the tires can be grabby. I hope it snows even more so I can test how well they cut through the snow.

TL'S TL

I've got the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 on my Bonneville, and the TL has Blizzak WS60s on it. Either tire has been great the past few winters. #rd winter for the Michelins, 2nd for the Bridgestones.

Mark

Tommys TL

I'm surprise u put the 215 on. I have an extra set of blizzak that are 215 45 17 and my tech at work try to put them on and said they were to narrow.
So no big problems so far delta?