Well finally broke down and order my winter tires for the RSXTypeS. After talking to a couple of SAAB owners went with Dunlop M3 Winter Sports, V-rated. Going to use the Stock rims and stock size for them 205/55/VR16. Should have them Monday. Went through Discount Tire for them at $100 each mounted and balanced, just have to add tax.

I will post some feed back as the winter progresses here in Michigan. Let you all know how they are doing.

 

cool. Jen is actually in the market now for some true snow/winter tires. Thats cool you're able to still pull of a V speed rating. But $100 may be a little out of her price range. But good to know if her father decides to buy them for her.

 

If she's not a fast and aggressive driver, I would look at something in the Q-T speed ratings. Dunlop has the Graspic and the price is lower. I base my tire buying on my driving style and I am willing to pay a bit more for a higher speed rating.

Here's a further review, but alas no snow to play in yet.

Spent the day driving around in dry to misty wet weather. Went through some curves that I can take quite a bit faster than the posted warning limit (30mph). I did about 70 through one and not a problem. The road was dry though. Later on went through the same curve but had to slow to sixty because of other drivers in my way and the road was damp but still no problems. Hit the gas pretty hard on a corner leaving a stop sign and the tires broke loose but not too bad, let up on the gas and all was well. The road at this time was oily slick like when a rain has just started. The tires are a bit noisier than the EAGLES but not too bad, and they do have a bit of vibration due to the tread design, it's almost like I feel every sipe in the tires. More later, waiting for snow.

 

When you are looking for winter tires, do you just look for what has the most tread?

 

def not...I personally always go to TireRack.com
their rating system is da bomb.... and they have always been cheap and hassle-free

 

You look at the performance capabilities for your area. I talked with some SAAB owners who had M2's on their cars. Also talked with some people about Blizzaks and Michelin Alpins for feedback. Tread life in winter tires is limited depending on the road conditions. The drier the roads the shorter their lifespan. You have to think Ultra High Performance Summer tires and how long they last. It boils down to your individual style of driving. Most higher performance tires, summer or winter will only last 1 or 2 seasons at best.
HERE IS A PICTURE OF MY TIRES
Notice all the extra siping (the little squiggly cuts in the tread), these help the tire grip better in icy conditions. The tires are also made of a compound that doesn't harden up in the winter. I already had noticed my summer tires getting stiffer when the weather was below 50*F and got even harder as it fell. They also started giving up traction.

All Season Tires are a compromise, they try to do everything. But in order to do so they must give up something on the extremes. Most drivers feel that it doesn't matter because they don't take their cars to the limits and Ultra High Performance All Seasons are the most tire that they would ever need.

 

When I got my ITR shipped over, the tires that were on the wheels were snow tires. I drove around on them for like 10 miles. My car was soo dirty after. The compound is way way soft. I'm sure they would be way better in the snow, but they weren't worth a crap on dry roads.

 

^ weird

 

Are you sure they were winter tires? They could have been Rally tires:

 

Hi, Are you using your alloys with the new winter tires, or did you go with steel wheels? This is the thing I'm debating now. I live in an area that uses a lot of salt. I'm wondering what that's gonna do to my alloys. T.I.A. for your feedback.