235/40R18 winters: your reviews of the following...

**positiv_rate** · 10-21-2008 05:59 AM

Hello all!

They just put rain/melting snow in tonight's Montreal region forecast... what the hell?!?

(go to my happy place, go to my happy place...)

But enough about that; I'd like your reviews/comments of the following winter tires (size 235/40R18). I know, 17"s would be better but she's an S-Line lease, so these are for the stock S-Line rims: I got me my CHs for summer!

- Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25
- Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3
- Toyo Snowprox S952
- Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

So any comments (preferably based on real, hands-on personal experiences!) on the above as to snow, ice & dry performance would be abundantly appreciated.

I think I'll dress as a snowman for Halloween...

**Tanner** · 10-21-2008 06:15 AM

Yeah, smaller would be better but guess you gotta go with that size of tire.

The Dunlop Winter Sport M3 winters seems to be very popular on AW but others have commented that it's not the greatest for handling, noisy (but then tires made for awesome grip on snow are typically noisy) and horrible tread wear.

Can't comment on the others, though I have Toyo Observe Garit KXs as my winters which did just fine when driving through those snow storms we had out in Toronto.

**positiv_rate** · 10-21-2008 07:14 AM

Yup! I'm a Toyo man myself: had the previous Garits on my Jetta and liked them a lot. I thought Toyo was going to offer the KXs in my size, but guess not. My first choice would've been 17" Garit KX.

Anyone else on the other choices listed, hmmm?

**Tanner** · 10-21-2008 07:26 AM

I had a used pair of Kumho Izens winters, they were pretty good but I really killed them on dry pavement (drove way too aggressively). Then blew right through a stop light as I couldn't slow down at all going down a hill then picked up the Toyos. Having said that, I think any good winter tires >>>>> all seasons on snow and cold temps.

If you haven't seen this, Tirerack does a comparison between a variety of Bridgestone tires, if you want grip over performance, full winters all the way.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=80

I had a pair of Hakka 1s on my first A4, now those were awesome and I haven't found anything that could compare to them but they were really noisy and a very soft compound.

**drevil2k2** · 10-21-2008 08:16 AM

I had the Blizzak LM-25 XL (235-45-17)on my B6 last winter; no problems, of course, better traction and got me through that nasty snowfall we had here in Ontario. Like many snows, some road noise.

Planning to use them on my current car, sooner than later- saw some mixed snow this morning in Aurora..... quattro time!

**Stevelev** · 10-21-2008 11:40 AM

Cant help with 18's but have the LM's in 17's now and was very happy last winter (1st season on them) with no issues when driving in tons of snow, terrible conditions incl. Ottawa to Mont Tremblant and back a few times. Dry handling is quite good too. On my previous car (A4 Avant), the traction the Dunlop M3's provided was fabulous and would suggest these are better all 'round winters than most (I've tried all the big names over the years with several being on my B5 and then B6 A4 quattros).

**Audized** · 10-21-2008 11:56 AM

I was very happy with Blizzak LM-25's. They are awesome in snow/slush. Not so good on ice, but they gave me enough confidence to get through icy roads without a problem. Keep in mind that they are performance winters. Ice traction is given up for better dry traction. The only downside is that they only lasted me 25-27k KM's.

I just bought a set of Winter Sport 3D's in 225/40R18. I wanted to see if narrower tires would contribute to better ice traction.

**stef2.7t** · 10-21-2008 02:28 PM

This yr I'm going with Good YEars Ultra grip Performance. Seems like a real good tire for the moneyzzzz.

**Audized** · 10-21-2008 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by stef2.7t

This yr I'm going with Good YEars Ultra grip Performance. Seems like a real good tire for the moneyzzzz.

I was down to the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's and Goodyear Ultra grip Performance before settling on the Dunlops. The Goodyears are so new that there are not many helpful reviews on them. The tread pattern of the Goodyears doesn't appear to be as aggressive as the Dunlops, which also steered me toward the Dunlops. I have to agree that the Goodyears seem like a really good tire for the money.

**Tanner** · 10-21-2008 05:21 PM

I guess at the end of the day you'll need to find out what you rather have, better grip in snow or a compromise and better handling/quieter on dry.

**positiv_rate** · 10-22-2008 03:00 AM

Thanks for the input guys: I appreciate it. I think I'll be going with the LM-25s, see what that's like. From what I gather, "performance" winter tires won't last for 3 seasons like my Toyos did, so I'll probably have a chance to sample something else anyways!

Now I'll go looking for that perfect, empty parking lot for when the first real snow fall comes...