I'm thinking about getting some winter tires for my G37S and would like some advice. I live in Oklahoma, and we don't get a lot of snow, but the last few years, we've had a few weeks of the winter that was snowy and icy, pretty bad. Most of the time it's just rainy or cold.

Would the Blizzaks be a good choice for me? I do a lot of highway driving and like I said, it's only really bad for a few weeks so I want something that is safe at 85MPH on dry roads too.

 

If it's a coupe and we're looking at the oem sizes, then the Blizzak LM60 would be the only option. Good for areas that don't see a ton of accumulation but will still get you home if needed. Handles better on the clear roads also.

 

What about the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (Studless Ice & Snow) are they not as good?

 

What sizes?

 

Neal, I have the same question. WOuld you recommend OEM size 19 inch (225-40) Blizaks LM60 or 18 inch (225-50) Michelin X ice xi2 on 18 inch wheels (package) or 18inch LM60s (225-50)?

What would work better?

Thanks.

 

if you are going 18" i recoment the michelin. I had the blizzacks and hated them. look at the Xi2's but also see if you can find a set of pilot alpins. they are the ****. they kick *** and work really well. I have run the blizzacks and the michelins on my car and the michelins are 100X better. I also run Xi2 laTTITUDES IN THE WINTER ON MY fx50s. BOTH THESE CARS THE g AND fx DO ALOT OF WINTER DRIVING. mY WIFE IS 300KM ROUND TRIP TO WORK AND BACK AND WOULD TAKE EITHER CAR IN THE SNOW WITH MICHELINS ON. LAST WINTER I HAD BLIZZACKS ON THE g AND SHE REFUSED TO DRIVE IT.

 

If you want the more aggressive option that can take on more ice/snow then use the Michelin. For areas that see mainly clear roads that are plowed then the LM60's would be fine. 19 vs 18" sizes mentioned above won't make much diff as they are the same 225 width.

 

Thanks guys. SHumby we don't get that much snow here in NY, but when we do its very hard to get around becasue they can't polw all the streets fast enough. Tire rack only has blizaks, dunlops and michelin xi2s. Since i will be buying rims and tires mounted and balanced i dont want to buy from more than one source and pay shipping twice etc.

I am mainly concerned with highway driving. Do you guys think the michelins won't be too squishy at 70mph when driving on a perfectly clear road or in a rainy wet setting?

Neal, I will proly place my order online today for the set. Thanks for your help.

 

I drove through every storm last year in Jersey, except the first one, with my LM60's. Had no issues at all. Previous year I drove an 08xS with the all-season Dunlops on the same roads and without a doubt, the RWD with the winter was easier to drive in the snow.

Also in the HWY in the dry I had no issues with these tires and on many stretches on route 80 & 287 I usually hit 90+ when the roads are empty. I was really impressed with the LM60's. In about 2 week they will be mounted on my car again and will see how they handled their second winter with a little more wear. but the tires still look brand new.

 

I have Blizzaks on my G37x. I had Nokians on my Subaru Legacy prior to the G. The Nokians were significantly better, but more expensive. When the Blizzaks wear out, I'm going back to the Nokians. I'm in Colorado and I don't drive in deep snow very often - usually just slick roads (ice and packed snow).

 

Thanks gugarci,

I am glad to hear that the blizaks are good on the highway, but they are rated higher speed than the michelin x-ice so I am wondering if those are as good at regular highway speeds in the dry and wet when there is no snow. The michelins are quite a bit cheaper than the blizzaks so I guess I will have to find out for myself.

 

Alex have you AWD already. So regardless of which winter tires you choose your car will be almost unstoppable in the snow. But road clearance will be your biggest foe in an unplowed area with 6inches or more.

The thing people most people forget about winter tires VS all-season tires in the vastly superior braking. That alone, without mentioned the other factors such as better steering and grip, makes winter tires a must if you drive in an area that gets snow.

 

No, these are for my new RWD coupe. My sedan does just fine on A/S tires, but you are of course right about stoping in the snow with snow tires. I ordered the michelins from tire rack so it better snow! lol

 

Any updates Alex?

 

Well I have some. So far again this season my LM-60's are performing just as well as they did last season.