i'm looking to buy some snow tires for the winter. i've searched and read that the lm22 are more performance based. and that it is suited for little snow. and that the ws50 are suited for alot more snow. are the lms terrible in heavy snow? is there a huge difference between the two? what do u guys have, and which do u recommend for the upcoming winter season here in illinois? any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

On my other car, I use Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2's, which are a more performance oriented winter tire (like the lm22). FWIW, I think they're amazing regardless of snow depth. I felt I needed that 130mph speed rating, and wouldn't feel comfortable with a 90mph speed rating during those occasional summer-like days in the middle of winter.

 

i bought the wintersport M3s last winter...they are awesome! i like them better than the summer tires i have.

 

yup, go w/ either LM22 or Dunlop M3s. i know several ppl who drive on the M3s year-round !!

 

Pm'd you.

 

I drive LM-22s in Midwest winters.

DRY HANDLING: They do pretty well (~70%) compared to summer tires. Probably MUCH better than WS-50s. You can still have a little bit of fun with the LM-22s, but they'll complain at the much lower handling limit. Once again, probably MUCH better than WS-50s.

WET HANDLING: They do pretty well.

SNOW HANDLING: They do okay. But if there's heavy, fresh snow, there will be some fishtailing so keep it slow and out of VTEC. They do fine on plowed winter streets with light snow.

My advice: LM-22s are fine for 98% of Midwest Winter driving. If there's a heavy winter storm, get a ride from a buddy or take the bus. Keep in mind that the handling limits will be significantly different than with summer tires.

The LM-22s are a high silica tire. Bridgestone has different tires with "micro-cell" technology that they use on non-performance tires that is better for snow and ice, but is too fragile for use at high speeds and couldn't meet the ratings for performance tires. My wife in an SUV with Bridgestone DM-Z3s (microcell) and me in the S2k with LM-22s... driving in 4 inches of snow... I was sliding a little and sphincter a little tight. Drove like a granny to drop off the Honda.... hopped in the SUV and drove that to dinner... couldn't believe how different it was. The SUV drove like it was dry out. It sold me on keeping a winter SUV. But I'm compulsive and don't want to be inconvenienced that 2% I'd actually need the SUV.

 

thanks everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences. much appreciated.

 

i used to have ws-50 on my integra and i loved it! it will go through ANYTHING! i went through snow storm UP HILL with no problem, tractions in snow/ice was excellent, but then again...it was a FWD car

this will be my first winter in the s2k and i got some lm22 for the rears and lm25 for the front in ap1 stock sizes (lm22 didnt come in 205/55/16 size therefore lm25 were used)