I'm having a hard time figuring out which winter tires to get. It's like the tire companies have a conspiracy against us, and refuse to make a matched set of Winter Performance tires in the stock 16" sizes.

The options are either popular, widely recommended tires that don't fit:
Dunlop M3 -
205/45HR16
215/55HR16
*225/50VR16

Dunlop 3D -
*205/55VR16
225/55HR16

Bridgestone LM25:
*205/55HR16
225/55HR16

(* = "correct" OEM sizing)

-OR-

Other, not as widely reccomended tires, that do fit:

Continental ContiWinterContact TS810
Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 (not a performance tire)
Dunlop Graspic DS-2 (not a performance tire)

I've done plenty of searching, Jim says Dunlop said you can mix and match the M3 & the 3D, frankly I don't know how comfortable I am with that. Jim also says to run the stock sizes with winter tires, but even then I'm confused because all other 225s are more narrow than the stock S02s!

Somebody please shed some light on this subject. Is it better to mix & match tires, or is it better to be off just a little bit on size. How big a deal is it if I run 215 Dunlop M3s in the front? That's only 10mm right? Seems better than two different tread blocks and compounds upsetting the car's balance.

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These will be for driving mostly in the dry/cold, but I have a long steep driveway that doesn't get much sun so I will need good snow/ice traction to get in and out.

 

The best sizes for winter are the OE sizes of 205/55R16 and 225/50R16. What I told you is the best that I have seen on the car. There are a number of owners that are using the Winter Sports on the car. They are a very good handling winter tire. Dunlop has assured me that they are interchangeable. The only difference is the center tread block on the tire. The rubber compound and internal construction is the same.
If I can help let me know.

 

Ok, thanks Jim, that makes me feel much better.

 

FWIW, I'm running with the M3/3D combination (ordered from Tire Rack) in OE sizes on my AP1 as of a week now. Been on light snow twice, no problemo

 

Thanks ZDAN

 

ha, it even sounds cool

thanks again

 

Jim,

I currently have 16" OE sized LM-22's. The rears are shot but the fronts are in very good condition. Since the LM-22's are unavailable in my rear size would you recommend using the M3's as rears and using my existing LM's on the front? If not I will go with the combination of the 3D/M3 you recommended.

 

Since my earlier response, I had to drive backroads from New Bedford MA to Providence, RI through heavy snow from last Thursday's snowstorm. Roads totally covered, before the plows got to 'em. Excellent performance from the Dunlop M3/3D tires.
Made it up my steep driveway twice without a hitch.

They are great for "normal" conditions as well. Not noisy, and don't really give much if any away as far as the car's handling at sane, semi-spirited street speeds.

We'll see how well I get it up the now-icy driveway in an hour or so...

[edit] Made it up the steep, icy, ice-boulder-strewn driveway easily

 

Blizzak WS-60's FTW! They work EXTREMLEY well in the snow. Dry handling isn't so good as expected, but I'm not doing any spirited driving in this weather anyway.