No More LM-22's Available
 

So I must of run over a piece of glass or something on the tollway during my morning commute. Tire pressure moniter starts going nuts, I pull over hoping it's just a malfunction. It happens all the time on the MB's and Porsches I work on. No such luck. Damn Japanese reliability. So yeah, RR tire is toast. Huge piece of glass or something similar leaves a slice nearly an inch long. My techs can do nothing to save it. Insert string of obscenities here.

So whatever, I'll buy another one. The Blizzaks have been good to me. No such luck. My supplier has nothing. I start calling some lessor suplliers I occasionally do business with. I even called my Infinity dealer. Nothing. Anywhere. Even spoke with the national Bridgestone rep and his answer was the same. Although they'd be happy to get me some in August. So I'm installing some Pirelli Snowsport 240's; yes, two of them (maybe I'm paranoid but I want the two rear tires to be the same). Have yet to drive on them, but I am not happy about moving away from the LM-22's. The Pirelli's were the only V-rated snows I could get overnight from my warehouse. Just ranting I suppose. I'll update the crew tomorrow as to how they handle.

Ref "buy another one," I trust you had road hazard warranty?

I didn't have a road hazard plan as I work for a dealer and buy the tires at wholesale. The road hazard plans are the responsibility of the reseller to provide, and my parts department does not offer one. Normally I can get these things repaired. Just bad luck this time. The MB's went through Pilot Sports so fast I've never really had to worry about road hazards ( I don't think I ever got more than 9K with the CLK-but she was the beat-me-up car).

Well that sucks doesent it. I got road hazard on my tires but I probably wont ever need it.

Phadeus

BTW arent you the guy on rennlist??? If so nice seeing you here. :D

One and the same. Good to run into you.

So after a night of driving and about 50 miles, here's my impression of the Pirelli Snowsport 240's. I will preface this by saying the LM-22's drove so much better. The Pirelli's are much "softer", not the compound, but the feel. There is a lot more side wall flex and the vehicle doesn't feel as stable at high speed. They are much noisier than my 9K mile LM-22's and howl in protest when pushed hard. The straight line traction is quite good, and we had a bit of ice on the roads last night which they handelled well. I imagine these would probably be better than the LM's in very bad snow. I know it's not really an important factor to weigh, but the Pirelli's don't look nearly as nice. Form follows function though. I'd probably recommend these for areas that get hammered with the white stuff, but with the mild winter we've been having, I would have definately preferred another set of Blizzaks.

LM-22's will eventually be phased out and replaced with the new LM-25. I don't show that being the case with the G-35 sizes (either 18 or 17"), but it will happen eventually.

Looks like the Pirelli's will be getting some proper use tonight. Weather guys are calling for up to 15 inches of snow in Chicago tonight. It'll likely not be anywhere near that bad, but who knows. More to come. I may be ditching work tomorrow.

Nice enjoy. :D

Tire Rack didnt have any left?

We have them in 225/50VR17 235/50R17 but they are gone in 18" for the season :(

I have the Pirelli P210 in the 17" size for my coupe. The tires have very good grip in the snow and ice. I will say that they generate quite a bit of road noise on dry pavement. Handling on the dry was pretty good, but they are slightly more squirrely than the Michelin summer tires (understandable for a snow tire). With that said, I'd probably not get them again when they wear out.

newbie here,
if you don't mind me asking what sizes of snow tires are you running in the front and back? stock dimensions? with the 18" stock wheels, can you change up any of the dimensions?

thanks