SUV55

Blizzak has released the LM-80 high performance snow tire in a non-run flat V speed rated version. How do you all think it will compare to the Pirelli Ice and Snow and the other usual snow tire competitors relative to: Snow performance, tire tread noise, dry weather performance/handling etc...

Thanks

SUV55

I don't see an edit button so I figured I would supplement my first post. I have read about the Yokohama Ice Guard Ig51V, the Nokians, the Dunlop 3d and various Michelins. Porsche owners tire of choice is the Pirelli Scorpion Ice &Snow, which is also popular among the BMW crowd. I have not owned Blizzaks before as I have always read they are a bit loud and the rubber can be soft/mushy which can impede winter handling. Does the LM-80 bridge the gap between an aggressive snow tire (fairly loud tread noise, poor dry road handling, exceptional snow and ice performance) and a high performance snow tire (low tire noise, good dry road handling, fair snow and ice performance)?

I live in New England. Excessive tread noise is something I would like to avoid. I have it narrowed down to the Pirelli or the LM-80. I posted a link for those not familiar with this Blizzak. Thanks.

ex-quattro PETE

Right now the availability seems to be very limited. TireRack is only showing it in 3 sizes, and none of them are in the size I need, so I'm not even looking at them.

Since they're in the "Performance Snow" category, I'd expect them to be comparable to Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow. Time will tell, I guess.

As for me, I am most likely going to go with Nokian Hakka R2. We get a ton of snow here in western Michigan, so I need something that can handle it, even if that means somewhat poorer dry road manners. The Q5 is a frigging truck afterall, not a sports car, so I'm OK with that tradeoff.

Dave DC

this vid is from 2011...did you see a press release they were coming out with a non RF V rated version in our size somewhere? I may end up going Dunlop 3d due to very limited need for actual snow traction (im in DC and anytime theres even a speck on the ground work is cancelled) but would like to retain handling quality in cold weather.

SUV55

The non-RF has recently been released (2014). The RF version was out in 2012 I believe. I am not sure about all the sizing available.

SummiTDI

Living at 10,000 feet in the Rockies and winter 7 months of the year. Nokinan WR 3's or Haka stud less get my vote 100% of the time

Festoolbob

Pete,

Once and a while, a post really sums up reality so well - for me. Your sentence :
The Q5 is a frigging truck afterall, not a sports car, so I'm OK with that tradeoff. really sums it up well. Last winter upon TireRack's and positive feedback from AW members, I bought the Blizzaks and am happy with them for the NJ winter conditions. Now, I did happen to buy late into the season, so some tires were out of stock but again I am happy with my selection. I never push the Q5 anyhow - with a speeding ticket already on my license and NJS troopers on the major parkways here, but I can tell the handling difference with my OEM tires (Michelin's) and the Blizzaks but they are snow tires and do what they are supposed to do and I do what I am supposed to do in snowy/icy conditions and that is to reduce speed and drive with extra caution. With snow tires, I'll error on the side of grip rather than performance.

Bob

rorischak

I have no true experience with the HP version of the Blizzak however I do use the original version on my Denali and they are a HUGE improvement over the hancook that i use throughout the rest of the year. I pull a 27ft enclosed snowmobile trailer in the snowbelt of NY with no problem.

I will agree that they are soft and it is key that you remove them immediately after you believe the snow and ice are complete because they will wear quickly.

I have never tried the Nokinan but the tread pattern looks good.

SUV55

I am a very cautious driver in general, especially in winter conditions. I just prefer that when the roads are dry and to the bare pavement (which is 90% of the time in New England) that I am not left with loud snow tires with mushy sidewalls. I notice that low speed rated sidewalls effect handling and steering response at All speeds, even low speeds around an off ramp. I am very well aware that modern SUVs are not sports cars, but I do enjoy what a precision tires brings to the table.

Thanks for your feedback rorischak.

ex-quattro PETE

SUV55, it sounds like a high speed rated winter tire is in fact what you should purchase, based on your priorities. I would also look at Nokian WRG3, which is available in V-rating.

With that said, I have Q-rated winter tires for my old BMW, and steering response has never been an issue. But as I get older, I don't drive as aggressively as I once used to, so YMMV.