What would you recommend on TSX:

OE size 215/50/17

Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3

or

Continental ExtremeWinterContact

I realize they are different speed rating, but wonder if you have feedback on these tires?

Background:
I have Toyo Garit HT but this is 8 th year/winter and even though they have probably 80% thread left, they are getting a bit noisy, they are H speed rated tire and I enjoyed them very much, they fit the bill perfectly.

Dunlops are probably closer to Toyos and that is where I am leaning right now, even though Dunlop's age holds me back. Toyos are discontinued now, and Dunlops look like they are at least 5 years on the market, so I was looking into Contis or very much anything else in this size that is a bit newer technology.

Feedback/suggestions much appreciated (price is not important - will use them for long time)

Thanks,

Nino

 

I don't know if you're aware of it, but those two tires are in different performance categories. There are two main performance categories for winter tires. The "studless ice and snow" tires, which include the Continental ExtremeWinterContact, offer the best traction on snow and ice; the downside is that on warmer days, especially at high speeds on dry roads, their handling can seem somewhat less precise. The "performance winter/snow" tires, which include the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3, are not quite as good on snow and ice as the "studless" tires, but their handling on warmer days at highway speeds is better. Obviously it's up to you to decide on that trade-off, but in general, the studless winter tires may be a better choice for those in bad winter areas like the upper Midwest and New England, whereas the performance winter tires may be a better choice for those whose winters are not quite as harsh, such as in areas like NYC, DC, St. Louis, etc.

If you want a studless tire for its superior abilities on snow and ice, the Continental is one of the best such tires available today, along with the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60/WS-70 and Michelin X-Ice Xi2. Dunlop makes a tire in this segment, called the Dunlop Graspic DS-3; it's a significant step down from those three, but it's also a bit less expensive. You can see a side-by-side comparison test of all four of these tires on the Tire Rack website at http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=135

If you want a performance winter tire, other choices in addition to the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 include the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3. All three of these are good; I'd probably avoid the Michelin just because it's so much more expensive than the other two.

HTH

 

Thank you for your feedback, Toyos that I have are H rated tire, therefore I was looking into Dunlops as I was very happy with Toyos.

I noticed that Contis are T rated tire, as opposed of "mushy" Q, but based on your response Contis just might be same old soft tire as Qs are.

I had Q rated tires before and changed them after 2 winters, just way to "loose" on dry roads, given that I end up driving on dry roads most of the time, deep snow traction is secondary in my circumstances.

I'll check GY out, but for Michelins, they look like they are all season tire, I would not expect much in a way of snow traction.

Again, thank you for the info.

Nino

 

Speed ratings don't have anything to do with handling.

Again, that has nothing to do with speed ratings. If you are concerned about handling on dry roads and are willing to sacrifice a bit of snow and ice traction for better handling, get a "performance winter tire" rather than a "studless ice and snow tire" (and don't worry about the speed ratings).

Not true. Both of the Michelin tires I mentioned in my previous post are winter tires and among the very best of their kind. The Michelin X-Ice Xi2 is a studless ice and snow tire; the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 is a performance winter tire. Neither one is an all-season tire.