The Blizzak WS-50 is now available in the Infiniti OEM size of 215/55/17. I just had four put on. They're not too noisy. I've used the Blizzak on one of my other cars and they handle great on the snow. No need to get 16" rims anymore. You may have to check around, even some of the Bridgestone dealers don't know that they're available. The size isn't even listed on the Bridgestone website.

 

The problem with mounting and dismounting tires twice a year is that it's hard on your rims, and esp the bead of your tires. Also the cost of changeovers and balancing. You're better off with a dedicated winter set.
A smaller wheel will also give you a higher profile tire that won't be as harsh through the bumps/ruts of ice/snow and (I've been told) slightly better traction. Higher profile tires are somewhat less expensive as well and usually you have a greater selection..
Of course, if you use the 17 inchers for winter wheels, you can upgrade to an 18 or 19 ! [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

markn;

Hecobb mentioned the 215/55-17 WS-50s in a previous post. In the new Consumer Report, they're rated # 8 of the 11 Q-rated winter tires tested. Of the H-rated, , it looks like a dead heat between the top four, with the Blizzak LM-22 rating only slightly behind in hydroplaning, but best emergency handling. If I lived in the US, I'd probably go for the Dulop SP Winter Sport M2 as someone posted above. We Canadians have access to the Blizzak LM-18 as in Europe.
I've run 225/60-16 LM-18s now for 2 weeks and I'm VERY impressed. Dry handling is comparable to the stock Goodyears even in emergency high speed lane changes, esp. considering the higher profile! I took them up to 95 MPH and took the G through a decreasing radius off-ramp without drama. They don't feel 'squirrely' like the Q-rated winters, even on metal-grate bridge decks. Tire noise is much better than my previous Dunlop Graspics, the LMs emitting a speed dependent medium to high frequency 'sizzle' , unlike the louder droning of the Graspics. They were great in a recent slushy rain-snow mix that fell last week, good traction and no hydroplaning through puddles. Not sure what they're like yet in deep snow and slick ice. Here's pics of my new winter wheels:

 

Sorry, not sure what happened to the first pics:


New winter wheel set.


225/60-16 Blizzak LM-18s on 16x7 FRD Racing Wheels

 

http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=43

check this site out..

I just changed my order for Toyo Oberserve 02 plus. (new version of the toyo oberserve2).. I went with 16 inches and mags yes now i have 3 sets of mags !!!!


Gordgee check out what they say about Blizzaqs and the comment about not being recommended for Real wheel drive cars !!

 

Not sure why they're not recommended for RWD. But any way, they refer to the WS-50 which are Q-rated and very poor in dry conditions. I know that the WS-50 is fitted to a lot of RWD packages by The Tire Rack who does a lot of winter testing. The LM-18s are H-rated and are highly recommended on the European sites for their high performance RWD vehicles.
As I've said, you've got to go with what you feel most comfortable with based on your research and what your needs dictate. Because I know how obsessive I am re research, I try to help with as an informed an opinion as I can, but of course my needs may be different and I may have missed something that someone else finds. That's the reason most of us belong to these forums. Best of luck with your tire purchase, and your feedback is always welcome.

Gord

 

Hey Gordgee we got our first dump here in montreal !!

Severe weather bulletin WWCN10 CWUL 170928
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 4:28 AM EST SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2002.
WATCHES/WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR QUEBEC...

HEAVY SNOW WARNING FOR:
=NEW= MONTREAL METROPOLITAIN-LAVAL

We have about 8-30 cm here in the West end so i took the time to have some fun...( my test where in about 10-12 centimeters).

here is the outcome of my first drive with the Garet HT's
First impressions of the Garit HT's : Amazing // stable // makes you feel in control/firm yet soft enough to grip on the thin ice layer below the snow... Very very quiet tire !! i did not expect it to be that quiet..

As for ice...
The VDC/slip light comes on allot when you push the car...
Stopping is what i expected.. with a high performance winter tire..but at least you can control the car and not feel like you are driving on eggs...

Ice handling is good but not as good as fresh new bridgstone Blizzaq's..

The car's ABS is not as good as Volvo's but its modulates much much better than my MaxSE2000..
I can tell you that without the slip/vdc.. its allot of ponies/torque to control at the back wheels if you push the car on ice..

I can't wait to see how the car/tire combo will handle in 20inches of the white stuff.. and steep hills ...
( I still need to get up north and test them in deep snow and hills)

I am still a little reserved about having 225's in the winter for deep snow.. we shall see..

Youngcanuck

 

I looked at the Garets prior to buying my LM-18s. The compound feels real soft, so I wondered about 'squirminess' of the tread on dry roads. How do they feel on the highway and in corners?
My son was over at his buddy's house doing homework today. The dad is the President and GM over at Tire Warehouse. Asked him about whether width would be a concern. He confirmed that "you probably wouldn't notice any difference in traction unless you go up to extreme widths. You will notice more difference between different types (H vs Q) and brands." He asked what I went with. "Good choice, that's what Wayne (the owner) has on his Lexus."
We'll see how they are in the deep snow. Good luck with yours.

 

Gordgee.. Thanks again for the information....the compound does feel soft..on the Garit's but twice as hard as the Oberserve GO2plus'es... I cannot compare to the LM-18's regarding squirminess on dry.but ...but on straight "dry"highway and city...they are fantastic..and as a bonus ..extremely quiet..
I took a few hard corners yesterday (no snow) and had a smile...(slip light did turn on a few times)..
There is only a very small feeling that you are on Winter tires...when i do fast lane changes back and forth.. but never like Q rated tires i had in the past ...

Lets stay in touch.. and share some feedback in the winter..months to come..

Youngcanuk..

 

I've pretty much spent the last three days solid researching snow tires.... I think deciding on the car was easier. Anyway, it seems that the Pilot Alpins and the Blizzack LM-22's are relatively similar in quality (or reputation anyway), because if you call around, you pretty much get half the people saying, you have to have the blizzacks, and the other saying you have to have the michelins. What pushed me towards the blizzacks though was that when I talked to Tire Rack, they said that in their tests, the blizzacks were better than the Pilots. Also, the tire place showed me the comsumer reports test of performance snow tires, and the pilots were rated much lower than the blizzacks- in last place actually. Their comment on the blizzacks was "excellent all-around tire, best emergency handling" and on the pilots was "better for places with less snowfall, quiet ride". I decided to stay away from the blizack ws-50's though, just becasue of the dry handling mostly, I guess. This is all purely based on research of course, no actual test driving..... I'll report back when I get to drive in the snow. Just watch those damn tire salesmen though... "the best tire for your car is this one I have in stock" :P

 

Daniele after i read the Tirerack Ice Rink tests.. I was impressed with the Blizzaqs..but in real life who drives in perfect ice conditions ?? Here in montreal you need a tire that can handle snow and ice (combination).. and for me the thread of Michelin or WS-50 does not cut it...
The LM-22 seems like a good tire.. and I hope to get some longterm feedback from some users here on this site.

As for my Toyo's they are good but not perfect... I would love to compare them with the LM-22's for handling on dry/wet/snow/ice etc..

I totally agree with the comments regarding the best tires loll...

 

I'll have my LM-22's the middle of next week, and it should snow here again soon, so I'll be sure to report back to you Oh- and just as an additional note- any of you that live in the western US- check out Discount tire for pricing and stuff- they have lots of stuff in stock and even Tire Rack couldn't beat their pricing (with getting then mounted and all). They were over 150 dollars cheaper than another place I called.

 

What size LM-22s did you get for your G?