Dunlop Winter Sport M3... - Page 2

PCUT · 16th December 2007, 17:06

My neighbor gave me a set of Blizzak WS-50 tires in 245/45/17 that I have mounted on my 17" Mille Miglias. They are excellent snow tires but are scary driving at any speed on dry roads- just too squishy and the DSC light comes on at about 1/2 throttle! I now jack my car up and swap my regular 275 PS-2s after the roads are cleared and there's no snow in the forecast (which has been all too frequent so far this ski season!). If my neighbor hadn't given them to me, I would have bought the Dunlops.

iconoclast · 16th December 2007, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5_ForMe

I use Wintersport M3 245/265 on a set of replica 18" M Parallel's. Not the best widths for winter driving, but it's not often I'm out when there's much snow.

Looks great... this is most likely the route to go then for me... thanks for the help guys... i appreciate it.

bimmernut1 · 16th December 2007, 19:42

I'm using the Dunlop Wintersport M3's right now. The dealer contacted BMW Tech and I was advised to use 245/40 18's on all four if I was going to stick with my OEM rims. Basically, I have an old set of OEMs for winter and bought a new OEM set for summer. The maximum width for the 245's is the same as the rear OEM width; 9.5" if I recall.

iconoclast · 16th December 2007, 21:05

thank you... 245's all around are a bit cheaper on the wallet, and i am concerned riding on that as it is... my last set of winters were 225 all around and that was ideal.

NoMoreAutomatics · 16th December 2007, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by iconoclast

thank you... 245's all around are a bit cheaper on the wallet, and i am concerned riding on that as it is... my last set of winters were 225 all around and that was ideal.

That is what i'm using as well. 18x9/245 all around. Correction---that's why I would be using if my wheels weren't stuck to the hubs!!

iconoclast · 16th December 2007, 23:51

i love it... perfect. retains oem look, and is still functional...

Fuguar · 17th December 2007, 01:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by iconoclast

i've had these on previous cars, no complaints... curious to know if anyone has used them on our cars??? if so reviews, thoughts, opinions? if not which tire do you recommend for northeast winters??? also the winter sport m3 DSST (run flat tire) is it worthwhile getting for the winter?

Secondly, what are you all doing for sizes on winter tires??? Stock setup is Front: 245/40/18, Rear: 275/35/18... i am only finding winter tire sizes for the fronts, nothing for the rears... what should i use for the rear???

I looked at wheel and tire diameters, width and model availability. I decided not to go with the recommended 235/45/17's because I did not want the speedo and mileage error. I also checked a Consumer Reports article and they rated the Goodyear GW3's as the best high performance winter tire. The local police dept uses them as well.
These tires were available in 245/40/18's (standard front size). I went with four on Beyern 18" x 8.5" wheels.

Well as nature has it this year in New England, we are getting more than our fair share of snow. I haven't taken the beast out in the snow, but just moving around the driveway (no garage) tells me that I might not want to rely on getting too many places in the snow and definitely not the ice. Not sure if it is the tires or the tread width. They are only 1/2 inch wider than the 17's.

I have heard good reports about the Dunlop M3's. I also have Nokian winter tires on all my other family cars. I have had very good luck with the Nokians. In retrospect, I would have gone with the 17" wheels and either the M3's or the Nokian WR-G2's.

iconoclast · 18th December 2007, 22:04

one last thing, how about chains or studded tires??? overkill?

Diny · 18th December 2007, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by iconoclast

one last thing, how about chains or studded tires??? overkill?

I'd think that a good way of deciding on those would be if your driving is more on ice/snow than on tarmac. So say, if you drive 70% on snow and ice and just 30% on tarmac, then those might be a good choice.

PCUT · 19th December 2007, 00:26

I would NEVER put chains on my beast. If one of the attachments lets go you are in for a large body repair/paint bill and perhaps a new fender- no bueno! My experience with studs mirrors DINY's post. Unless you spend significantly more time on ice and snow than tarmac, forget them. Also, they are not legal in a lot of states. They help with acceleration traction, but I believe actually increase braking distances. Just go with some Dunlops and be smart about where and when you drive.