Anyhow guys... I was surprised to see 1" of snow on my car when I left to work a couple days ago... geez this sux! Anyhow, I am looking for help on selecting a winter tire (yes yes, did a search already and couldn't find a entry that would talk about sizes... so I am here posting one to us, new englanders).

I am planning to mount the snow tires on OEM wheel, and for the summer get an upgrade. So the questions are:

- What is the size that I should purchase?
- Should I maintain the stagger of the stock wheel?
- What other tires are out there besides the LM-22 (which is the most expensive one.)
- Some of them have Q ratings, are they better? although cheaper?

Thanks guys for the help...
'
Jaime

 

I have Blizzak MZ 01s for winter use in 225-50 and 205-55 sizes. They work well and are guiet (for snows). If you don't leave them on too long they should last you several seasons.

 

I believe the MZ-01 is not available in our sizes any more. They were discontinued. Whatever tire you get, just maintain the same sizes as the OEM SO2s. Any rear tire you get in the stock size will subsequently be a little bit narrower than the SO2's but that's just fine for winter use. Although the LM-22's are expensive, they are the tires of choice, at least in N. America. You can also go to the Michelins but they are more of an ice tire in our sizes. If you don't get a lot of snow, an ice tire will be fine.

 

I've been using Pirelli 210 Winter Sports tires for 4 years (on my Prelude and S2000) and I've been happy with them. Drove my S all thru last winter on these tires with no problems. The dry handling and traction is pretty good for a winter tire. They cost about the same as the LM-22 and are in the same league from what I know.

 

I just bought a set of Dunlop Winter SP Sports M2 tires in the OEM sizes. They look like they will work very well in the snow. I liked the test results better than the rest and they are available in our sizes. They were $518.80, mounted and balanced at the Tire Rack. I have a spare set of OEM wheels that I mounted them on.

 

Ack! The MZ-01s are discontinued?!?!?! I need new rear ones now that we've had our first snow here in MA. Any suggestions on rears that will mix well with MZ-01 fronts? Looks like I'll get 4 seasons out of the fronts and 2 out of the rears.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MacGyver
[B]Ack!

 

The LMs are expensive but the safety and traction they provide are worth it. They should last you at least a couple of winters, I expect 3 or 4 out of mine based on how little they wore down last winter.

The more expensive thing was the extra set of stock rims I bought so I wouldn't have to keep remounting summer/winter tires. Luckily I bought them on the board for a great price.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by laster
[B]I have Blizzak MZ 01s for winter use in 225-50 and 205-55 sizes.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by laster
[B]I have Blizzak MZ 01s for winter use in 225-50 and 205-55 sizes.