Winter Setup Inquiry/Thoughts

[slater]

This statement, however, I fully disagree with. I wanted to buy Michelin x-Ice tires as well, the same ones you mentioned, after my Pirelli Sottozero's wore out. I loved the Pirelli's, but one of them blew up, making me have to buy a whole new set. I couldn't get the Michelins because they were all out of stock, and needed tires ASAP as a huge snow storm was approaching, so I settled for the Blizzak LM-32's. It wasn't what I wanted, but beggars can't be choosers.

I am extremely impressed with the performance I got out of them. Not once did I get stranded in the snow. There was one particular instance I almost got stuck, but I did what one should do in that situation and got out of it. The snow was a little too deep, so that was my bad for bringing my lowered car there, but... Charlie remembers this situation well.

The Blizzaks have outperformed every expectation I've had. They aren't nearly as noisy as my Pirelli's were, they handle corners damn well in wet AND dry, and not a single one of the three people last winter that tried to out-accelerate me in the snow and cut me off was successful in doing so. Big win in my book.

for reference, i used blizzaks on AWD Audi's... apples to oranges, i guess. braking is where i thought they were severely lacking.

peter

[az3579]

for reference, i used blizzaks on AWD Audi's... apples to oranges, i guess. braking is where i thought they were severely lacking.

peter

I will have to do a few braking tests next winter. I haven't had issues but I haven't had to do any emergency stopping yet with them either so I can't comment on braking yet.

[slater]

I will have to do a few braking tests next winter. I haven't had issues but I haven't had to do any emergency stopping yet with them either so I can't comment on braking yet.

now i'm curious if it was just the extremely ABS-sensitive audi braking system, or the tires....

i have a set of 235/45/17 LM-25's in my garage that i ran on the A4 last winter. perhaps i'll run them on the ZHP this winter...

peter

[az3579]

now i'm curious if it was just the extremely ABS-sensitive audi braking system, or the tires....

i have a set of 235/45/17 LM-25's in my garage that i ran on the A4 last winter. perhaps i'll run them on the ZHP this winter...

peter

A lot of things come into play when it comes to braking in the snow. I don't think about it much because I rarely am traveling faster than I can comfortably stop in the snow. If I'm hauling butt, like on a deserted highway (it actually happens from time to time!), then it doesn't really matter because there isn't a need to stop. It grips fine in the handling department in these situations. If there are cars out then I tend to be close to their speed. I always leave an out whenever possible.

Let us know how those tires do on the ZHP versus your Audi!

[danewilson77]

Dane, I know you have the DWS's, how do they compare to other tires you've had in the past?

I love the DWS's. I have zero complaints.

Others will complain about flat spotting when it's super cold, but I knew that going in.

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[az3579]

I love the DWS's. I have zero complaints.

Others will complain about flat spotting when it's super cold, but I knew that going in.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

Never had issues with flat spotting when cold. I did drive my car every single day though...

[ELCID86]

I love the DWS's. I have zero complaints.

Others will complain about flat spotting when it's super cold, but I knew that going in.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

I did have some issues with that initially. Not unbearable.

Dane do you use A/S all year or do you have winter tires now?

[danewilson77]

All year. I love the tread wear.

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[az3579]

All year. I love the tread wear.

The friendliest forum on the planet.

This. The DWS' survived 4 track days, and a year's worth of daily driving, about 35k.

[NoVAphotog]

Thanks for the excellent input from all! Found a nice set of Style 44s for sale and went with them. Just have to decide which type of tire to put on in 225/45/17.



I'm leaning towards the new Blizzak WS80s...or LM-32s. Slater, we can compare the icex's to them...Providing we get enough snow here in VA to do a proper test compared to Canada.

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