Hey all. I have a 2006 6MT, and I'm thinking of putting some Blizzak LM-25 (245/40, 225/40) 19s on my stock wheels for the winter. I live in northern Indiana, so we get a fair amount of snow, but not a ton. I was just wondering if anyone had much experience with these tires on the 19" wheels. I have heard others recommend getting some 18" wheels, but I would rather not do that right now. Is this a decent combo for winter driving? Any information is appreciated.

 

I have my 18" on the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 which is loving it. Have not tried the Blizzak so I don't know, but the M3 is 2 thumbs up for me.

 

Do yourself a favor, unless you are planning on replacing the OEM rims with aftermarket ones, Get a set of cheap 17's or 18's w/snows.
Your stock rims will get beat up with all the salt/sand etc.
Most people don't want to spend the extra money for a set of dedicated snows and rims, but in the long run its worth it.
Check the classifieds or craigslist....you can usually find a pretty decent deal on there for tires/rims.

IMO, 19" snows are not ideal for winter.....go with a taller sidewall, and if possible a narrow tread....it will give you a better footprint and traction in the snow.

 

I just ordered the 19" LM-25s and they should be on by the weekend. I live in Columbus, Ohio and I do plan to run them this winter. I do also have aftermarket 19's and OEM 17s. I ran the 17's for the last three years with the OEM RSAs. I dont drive in crazy snow, just when the streets are clear. If their is snow on the ground, my silverado gets its fenders dirty.

So, once they are on, I will be sharing how they ride, how they handle, and if I like them. If all else fails, someone will get a deal on them, and I will go back to the OEM 17s I bought as my winter setup...

Review to follow.

 

Spend the extra $$$ and get something that will keep you safe.

 

^^ LOL got me a set of M3 for winter (incase of emergency), and a cheap Honda as my winter beater.

 

Well, its Thursday, and the tires are still on their way from the south.

Again, I will keep you posted on the ride quality, how they handle in the cold, and hopefully, how they handle in some snow!

 

^^Sounds good

 

Ok, so discount tire had them on in about 1 hour. It would have been done sooner but the guy installing them noticed after he did the fronts, he forgot to pay attention to the directional tread and flipped them.

Picked them up in my Truck and drove them home. Installed them in about 20 minutes. I cleaned them up and had the first drive that night with my girl who flew in from Florida.

I didnt say anything to her. The last time she rode in my car it had my KDW V2s on them, and she commented how they were starting to get noisy (she grew up around cars with her dad in the garage, so she impresses me with her knowledge all the time). She commented how the car seemed to handle better on the way downtown (it was about 22 degrees outside and dry roads). As we drove on the freeway and city streets, I could tell the instant traction difference from my summers (19s, and thats a "duh" comment) and even over OEM 17 RSA's I used to drive on in the winter.

Now some background. I was stationed in Germany where it is law that Everyone has winter tires on their car by Mid NOvember. I tell you this. I drove my Audi A6, BMW 3 Series, and Merc C30 all on the autobahn with winter tires (17s, 18s and 18s) and loved the grip and capabilities of winter tires in the extreme cold and snow. This transformed my idea of winter tires and I knew I wanted to get some as soon as I could afford them.

Now, back to my Review. I drove that night in downtown Columbus in 18 degree weather, and they had drove as smooth as my 19s in the summer. This includes potholes, crappy city streets and frosted covered roads.

This Thursday I will be driving up to Akron and Cleveland on them, and I will give a review of some snow driving. And it looks like Monday morning, its freezing rain and snow for my monday morning commute.

I would like to also add that the next day after driving my G with the winter tires, I drove my Silverado with its all season, off road tread, and they slipped in the morning a bit, in the same weather type conditions as I drove my G in the night before. I felt so much safer and in control in my G with the winter tires than with my Truck with all seasons.

 

I drove in rain today in 45 degree weather and they handle just as nice as summers tires do in the rain in 75 degree weather.

I now will not go back to my 17s. So I am going to put them up for sale...