Snow Tires 2007
 

I'm going to want dedicated snows for my stock WRX rims before the first snow. Please post up if you see any good deals on a good set of snows or if you know what the best choices are.

I will be debating between Dunlop M3s and the Bridgetone REVO-1s this year. After being int he car with Dean, and he was almost unab;e to break traction in Debbie's car on sloped ice, I'm sold on their grip. It's jsut down to wether I decide I need more longevity out of them, and decent dry performance. Then I'll go with the M3s again.

I've heard nothing but great things about the M3's, and since 90% of the time, I won't be driving on snow/ice, dry performance will be a plus. Didn't Dunlop replace the M3's with D3's or something? Also, aren't M3's geared more toward a low profile setup?

This was the story back in 2005. Not sure anyone has made significant changes since then.

http://seccs.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3831

Feel free to see if TireRack has done any updated testing since then. I don't think CR has.

CR hasn't done anything since November of 2005 in the way of Winter Tires:

I don't see anything new on Tire Rack either. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=64

But if anybody hears anything new, post it up. :)

Is this article from 2005? http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=65

Yes. The test charts is dated 2005.

But, here are the Tire rack winter tire survey results. They are constantly updated as both knowledgeable and unknowledgeable people share their opinions.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...sp?type=W&VT=C

Also, here is a list of their articles on testing.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...let?perfType=W

I'm assuming we won't see any 2007 ones until the start of the 2007 winter tire buying season.

Looks like the Dunlop 3D's are better than the M3's in most categories, but it's close. They're only $96 each in stock 205/55/16 too. Is there any reason I shouldn't get a tire that's supposedly designed to be used for low profile setups like the Dunlops are (according to Tirerack)? I don't think the WRX stock size is "low profile" but I guess if they make them in that size, why not?

You have to take the survey results with a stiff drink of tequila IMHO. Almost nobody drives the tires back to back and their only frame of reference is often comparing their worn out old ones to their new ones.

I trust the TR test much more than the survey results.

Doesn't look like they have tested the D3 yet, but I would bet they will by Nov.

I absolutely loved my Winterforces... I put 2 full snow seasons on mine without a problem, and they were not that expensive. Here is the link for tire rack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....ce&model=M%2BS

Man, they look like good rally tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires...orce_ci2_l.jpg

Rallycross maybe, but the sidewalls on those things are like double-strength rubberbands. I had a set on my Aerostar. Good snow tires though.

Dude, they have snowy mtns right there on the side!

Much like, say, Dunlop WinterSport M3s. ;)

I don't see it: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/BigPic...inter+Sport+M3

Under the word DUNLOP, right after the M+S designation. All "winter" tires have it.

Well sure, but I want my snow capped mtns built into the tread...

Okay, you got me there.

This is the tire that is going on my stock rims in a week or so.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nSpeedRating=V

$89 bucks :)

I got the Nitto NT-SN1 tires before this last winter (which wasn't much of a test) but they seemed to handle pretty well when it actually did snow.

I don't see those being much of an improvement over the Proxes 4's I've been running in the winter since I moved up here. They're only for "light snow".

Bridgestone REVO1 on closeout at TireRack.

That's a deal. May have to get some. 225/45-17s are $119.

Hmmmm, obviously the REVO1's wouldn't perform in the wet and dry as well as Dunlop M3/3D but they'd shine in the snow and ice.

Which would you guys suggest for me? I drive my car in Reno most of the time, but I go over the pass a lot and go boarding a fair amount. Think I can get away with the Dunlops? They've gotta be a lot better than the Proxes 4's in the snow/ice, but that's not saying much. Will the REVO1's be annoying/dangerous driving 80 MPH over I80 in the dry or anything? I've never driven on Performance Winter or Snow Tires before.

Revos are not going to be dangerous in the dry, they just won't perform as well as say your p4s and may wear more if heated too much.

You have 2 sets of rims, why not use them.

Thanks Dean. Just placed my order.

Edit: I have 3.5 sets of rims. :)

I used the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's last winter and loved them. They worked great going up an icy 40 to Sugar Bowl during the one major storm we had. Great grip in pretty much everything and nice riding. I may get an even more aggressive tire this winter just to compare. I would use them again.

If I ever decide to RallyX, how will the Revo's perform? Are they strong enough to avoid damage when punished?

I decided to change my order to D3's. I do too much freeway driving. I don't want a pure snow/ice tire that will wear quickly and perform poorly in the dry...where 90-95% of the miles I put on the tires will be.

Edit: Plus they're on special for $96 each in my stock size.