trkmedic69

I am currently looking at the Dunlop Winter Sport M2 or M3's for a winter tire. What is the difference between the two? My goal is to have a set of wheels/tires that I can leave on the car from Nov to March that will allow me to have fun in the dry (which it will be most of the time, I live in metro DC) but will be safe and provide good performance in the snow/slush/wet. I'd like them to have good wear characteristics and no excess noise. Are the Dunlops a good choice?

Also as far as wheels - I may either put the winter tire on my stock wheels (and get new wheels for summer) or sell my stock wheels and get a nicer looking set for winter. Is it wise to go larger than 16" for winter? I was thinking 17 or 18", but is that practical? I would also like the wheels to be durable as far as snow-covered potholes and winter salt and stuff go... And of course look good on a black 01' A6!

Any suggestions apprecaiated!

CraigB

It is an excellent tire for mostly dry driving and handles the snow well, especially when combined with quattro. Another good H-rated winter tire is the Blizzak LM-22. I have had both of these tires and they work well.

I would put the winters on your stock wheels and get 17s for summer (or 18 if you want). Of course, after having larger wheels in the summer, you may find it hard to put on the 16s for winter (BTDT), so you might want to go ahead and get 17s for winter too.

ex-quattro PETE

Look a few posts down:<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/wheel/msgs/65083.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/wheel/msgs/65083.phtml</a</li></ul>

Gary@Tirerack.com

This has been a common question in the last week!

Very little difference between these two. Think of these as more of an evolution of the M2, rather than a dramatically different tire. We too think the M3 will eventually replace the M2, but in most sizes the M2 will still be made for at least this season.<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR8&amp;url=/winter/index.jsp">winter tires</a></li></ul>

trkmedic69

How will those M3's handle as a "general" tire from Nov to March? As far as dry performance?

DougR

VERY low noise tire. They get squirmy when the temps get up into the 70s and 80s, but colder than that and they're fine. I imagine in a low-profile, 17" size, they could even be moderately fun on cold dry roads.

HTH