update

i just had a set of M3s put on last night...so far i'm very satisfied with them. drove to chicago, a bit around the city, and back...the car feels like it's on rails again. great dry pavement performance so far...guess we'll just have to wait til it snows to see how they perform then.

i went with 205s on the fronts and 225s on the rears. jim@tirerack suggested to stay with the original sizes, and i think someone said something about better highway stability. i got em put on at firestone...man...the first time they brought out the car i had: 205 FR, 225 RR, 225 FL, 205 RL. who knows which rims the guy mounted them on. now at least the right sizes are on the right locations...didn't check the rim widths though.

 

thanks to Balefire i got a set of michelin alpins for a killer deal. very happy with it since it snowed yesterday and i took the tires out for a spin

 

anything in a Q speed rated snow tire is going to get you excellent snow/ice traction, but make the car feel sloppier in dry pavement. a speed rated snow tire (h-v) is going to handle much better but give up a little snow/ice traction. its always a little give or take. i work at just tires in arlington heights. i dont have snow tires on the s, but i had snow tires on my old swapped hatches. the s2000 is staying in the garage for the winter. ive heard real good things about the dunlop m3's, but they are sold out in many sizes for the winter.

 

These are what I'm running now. However, the last 4.5 winters, I ran Blizzak MZ-01 (no longer available). Here is a vid where we had a drag race on snow and ice. I was ahead with the MZ-01, then right behind me was the Michelin Alpin, with the guys in the rear running LM-22.
http://members.shaw.ca/daves2000site...0drags%201.MOV

This doesn't mean that the owners of the LMs didn't like them. In fact, they quite like them because the LMs get them by when the snow/ice is really bad, yet in dry roads, they have a modicum of high speed stability.

You guys sure get hot and bothered over this snow tire debate. Here, where our winter is almost 6 months long, we all find good in what tires we drive on and we all respect each others recommendations for snow tires.

ps. Mingster, when did you move? Must be a helluva shock coming from Cali, huh?

 

This is midwest, its all drama here always in every thread, i got so used to it, I dont even notice it anymore

 

it's kind of a shock, but i guess the hospitality these guys have shown made it really easy

i'm back home in cali for thanksgiving, and i must admit it's nice to wear t-shirt and shorts outside...

 

After my scary encounter yesterday with unexpected snow I decided to order a set of dunlop m3 in 18's. I couldnt believe quattro didnt help at all...heheh. (had summer tires on )

 

Just got back from Discount Tire. Donnie hooked up my Evo with a set of Hankook 'Icebear' W300's. So far I'm pretty happy with them, inexpensive, V-rated tire, they have pretty good reviews around the net. Of course there is always Donnie's excellent service! Thanks!

 

I've been out a few times now in snow/ice with the Dunlop M3 tires now. So far, I'm happy with them. They don't seem much different on the snow than the MZ01s I had before, but it's tough to compare since 1. it's been since last winter that I had those tires on, and 2. they were (rears esp) pretty worn.

I guess what matters is these tires are working for me on snow and seem pretty good on dry, so I'm happy with my purchase.

Tony