I have Dunlop M3 put on my stock rim, it handles like the oem all season. There isn't any snow in Toronto this year, so I can't tell how well it handles in snow yet.

I used to have the alpin and there was a lot of road noise after 2-3 seasons (about 12000KM for me for 3 seaons).

 

I noticed the same thing with the Alpins and that's why I'm looking for something different.

Wayne, do the Blizzaks have a lot of road noise?

 

Hi, I just got back from a 600 km trip, and I do not find them noisy at all. They are winter tires so you can't expect them to perform like summer performance tires. For winter use I am extremely happy with them, since you should restrict your driving habits during the winter months. But my tires do run smooth ( I was running up to 155 km/h today and they are fairly quiet). From what you have said about your area, I think you would be extremely happy with them.
Wayne

 

Thanks for the info Wayne.

 

I live in the snow belt. I used to have a Volvo AWD. For years, I just used all season tires. However, one particularly bad winter, I decided to get snow tires. I am absolutely amazed what a difference having both AWD _and_ good snow tires make! I've driven a number of times in the highway with heavy snowfall (where you can't see more than 10' in front of you) and snow on the ground, and all the other cars around me, including 4x4 SUVs, were sliding. Meanwhile, my Volvo with AWD & snow tires had no problem at all (except having to worry about the other cars running into me...). Just wanted to let folks know - if you get snow quite a bit where you live (during January and February, we get snow at least once a week), snow tires is well worth it, even if you have AWD. The two together work very well.

Anyway, having said that, I'm picking up a G35x. I will get it in the next couple of days. I would also like to get snow tires for it. It's not clear to me, based on what other folks have alluded to in this thread, how TPMS will work if you get new snow tires. I've never had TPMS before. Can someone can explain in more detail how to get TPMS to work with a new set of snow tires (or any tire for that matter)?

Thanks!

 

You don't need to worry about anything if you are using your OEM rim. I replaced my OEM tire with dunlop with the OEM rim for winter, and nothing needs to be done. If you are getting new rim, than you either have to move the TPMS to the new rim or get a new set of sensors. The sensors are pretty expensive. I am planning to get new rim for summer tire, so I might end up having to purchase a new set of sensors. If you are getting a new set of sensor, than you have to bring it back to the dealer to register the sensor for your vechicle.

 

I'm just leaving the sensors in the OEM rims with my winters and I won't bother running the sensors in the summer rims. It's no problem leaving them out. It's too much hassle and I have never had problems doing it this way the last couple of years with my 05 G35.

 

What's the ballpark price for new sensors?

 

I have a set of 18" ASA JH3's with Dunlop M3's on them. They came off of my 05 Coupe and when I traded it on the Sport. I kept them and had the dealer agree to mount them for free. They worked well in the Minn. Snow Last Winter so I guess they should do OK in the NY Snow this winter. The 04 Sedan that I had was equiped with the 18" Performance Tires and Suspension Package. We used that through a Connecticut winter and they did OK but we didn't have a great deal of Snow to contend with.

 

I was thinking of putting Dunlop M3's on the G35 sport stock 18" sport rims for winter tires and getting 19's for the summer. Dunlop has a 245/45HR18 that matches the back, but for the front they only have a 225/45HR18. There is no 50 series Dunlop in the stock size. The tire diameter difference between the 45 (25.97") and 50 (26.85") series is -.88" or 3.28% smaller than stock. Anyone see a problem with this? Why do you think they chose a 50 series for the front and not a 45 series to match the back?

Thanks...

 

I don't know if there's a difference with the newer ones, but a replacement for my '04 ran about 100 bucks (ea)

 

I wanted to use Dunlop M3's as a winter tire on the stock 18" sport rims. Anyone see any problem going with a 235/45VR18 or 245/45VR18 on all 4 corners? This way the diameter will remain the same and it is easier finding these tires. Can't find a 50 series for the front. The only problem I see is mounting a 245 on the 7.5" wide front rim (bulging factor) or the 235 on the 8.5" wide rim on the rear. The 245 indicates it will fit on a rim 7.5" - 9.5" according to Dunlop. If different sizes are used what is the difference in diameter that won't affect the VDC control. Is a 1/2" diameter difference between the front and back ok? The stock tires have a difference of .3" inches (26.9" front and 26.6" rear) for the Potenza RE050 summer tires. It seems if the difference is around .3" the VDC can account for it. I wonder what the max difference in diameter can be?

 

According to the Dunlop site , the recommended rim width for either tire is 7.5 to 9" wide, so you should be fine with either.
245/45R18 100V BSW 7.5 - 9.0 26.7 " dia
235/45R18 98H BSW 7.5 - 9.0 26.3 " dia

 

i've always been of the opinion that thinner is better when it comes to winter tires, especially in snow. went with 225/55/17 for my G35s. Opted not to use sensors on my winters and the little light stays on but that's about it. I really like the stock 18" rims so I'll probably stick with those on for my summer tires.

 

Finally decided on Dunlop M3 235/50VR18 (27.1" diameter) on all 4 corners for winter from the Tire Rack. Last 4 in stock! Keeps diameter within .2" of stock front and .5" of stock rear. Will use the stock 18" sport rims for winter. The tire can be mounted on rim widths of 6.5" to 8.5".