It was been an unusual pre-season this year with almost no updated tires being released. We are also seeing many more tires and sizes than usual being discontinued or simply not being produced this season. If we have another severe winter like last year this could lead to some early shortages in some sizes.

Popular tires for moderate to low snow climates, that see more plowed roads than highways, tend to be the Blizzak LM60 and Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. Both are considered very equal to each other in snow traction and in dry road handling/cornering and were the tires of choice in this category. The redesigned LM60 moves the balance closer to the snow traction side while the Dunlop does slightly better in dry. Both an ideal choice for someone having trouble deciding between the high performance snow tires that sacrifice a lot of snow traction and the Q/R rated snow tires that trade off too much in handling and dry grip.

Persons living in more rural areas or heavy snow climates lean toward the Blizzak WS-70 or Michelin X-Ice Xi2. I've noticed when driving both that the added tread depth of the Blizzak helps deep snow traction on those early unplowed mornings. The X-Ice is a bit happier on ice surfaces and tends to handle a bit tighter on clear roads due to the 2/32nd's difference in depth compared to the Blizzak.

I would not wait too long, it's better to be proactive than reactive. Ordering early when most products are still available lets you choose what you want to buy rather than being forced to settle for what is left over. Best to be ready with products in hand before it snows so that you can put them on when you are ready rather than waiting for a shipment to arrive after the first snow. We should have most inventory available now to mid Oct. Tires and wheels purchased together are mounted and balanced at no charge to make changeover easy and we do offer the oem pressure sensors.

You can view full winter tire and wheel packages here Tire Rack Winter Packages.

Remember to mention "Neal ext 624" in the comments section of your online order. This way I can review the order and process it faster. As always you may call me direct as well

 

How are the WS-70's at highway speed? I had some -50's on a previous car, they howled and felt a bit uneasy, did Bridgestone improve that at all?

 

B-Stone tightened up the handling traits on this generation of Blizzak. X-Ice's are the closest to an all season tire in handling on dry days.

 

Thanks.

 

Hey Neal, I'm looking in to buying some continental dws from you guys for my oem 18s but the 245/45 is in backorder will you guys have those in stock soon??

Also how would you compare the dws against the kumho 4x?? Any advantages one over the other??

I live Seattle area so we don't get very much snow but when we do it's a f'n headache, also don't wanna go with a dedicated snow tire as I might be running these through the rain and what not.

Appreciate the response

 

Hard to say as Conti isn't telling us anything. I wouldn't expect them before the snow falls. 4x hasn't been through a full winter yet as it just came out. So far has been good but unsure of its all season ability. Outside the 4x alternate I'd look at the Yoko Envigor. Quite popular in the G world.

 

Appreciate the response. Went to the site to find out price on the yokos and saw that the conti dws estimated availability was 11/04/11 hopefully they'll be in.

 

Neal,

Looking through snow tires on your site, trying to install them on my stock 18", Brembo pkg G, is it possible for me to go narrower or would that affect the traction control system on my car? I really didn't wanna spend $200/tire on a car I am getting rid of in the spring...

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

Really do not have a narrower tire than a 245 with the correct outside diameter you could run. With those wheels and the VDC issues you're pretty much stuck with the oe sizes.

 

Thanks Neal, looks like I may have to put my order in soon. Is there special discount or pricing for G35driver members?

Thanks

 

Unfortunately not, sorry. Call me when you're ready.

 

Will do Neal.

Thanks

 

Neal
what's your opinion on General G-MAX AS-03 (Ultra High Performance All-Season)?

 

Good reviews thus far but jury is still out on it's winter ability and long term durability.