Winter wheels arrived today from Tire Rack

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by sjz

Don't take all the credit, Dave. I put a new carb on my snowblower a few weeks ago, & bought a used Jeep GC, ensuring that we won't see any snow!
-Steve

Well, it took a month, but it looks like we're finally getting some snow today. The latest report, as the snow begins to fall, is that we'll get 10 to 16 inches by tomorrow afternoon. I filled up the snowblower with gas and ran it for a while (love those electric starts!) and I put the Borbet wheels w/Blizzaks on the SRT8. Now I'm ready to play in the snow!

[Meister]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

Well, it took a month, but it looks like we're finally getting some snow today. The latest report, as the snow begins to fall, is that we'll get 10 to 16 inches by tomorrow afternoon. I filled up the snowblower with gas and ran it for a while (love those electric starts!) and I put the Borbet wheels w/Blizzaks on the SRT8. Now I'm ready to play in the snow!

Finally!

Your need of KW V2s is even more apparent now, BTW. 'Got some major gap-osis there.

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by Meister

Finally!

Your need of KW V2s is even more apparent now, BTW. 'Got some major gap-osis there.

I had just jacked it up to put the wheels on. The car will settle an inch or two after I drive it. I probably should have climbed into the trunk and jumped up and down a few times before taking that photo!

[Meister]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

I had just jacked it up to put the wheels on. The car will settle an inch or two after I drive it. I probably should have climbed into the trunk and jumped up and down a few times before taking that photo!

Understood. But the gap will still bug you into an earlier purchase of the KWs.

Now go play in the snow! You've got some open differential research / traction testing to do as I recall.

[NightBandit]

DZeckhausen,

How do those Blizzaks drive on dry pavement? I've been very obsevant of road conditions this winter. And even here in Minneapolis in the middle of winter, the roads are dry about 90% of the time. After a major snowfall, the roads are usually cleared right away and are totally dry again within 24 hours. So even though I will need snow tires next year (if I want to get out of the driveway), cold weather driving on dry pavement is almost more important than being able to drive through a blizzard.
So how are they (the Blizzaks) on dry pavement?

Thanks,

NightBandit

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by NightBandit

How do those Blizzaks drive on dry pavement? I've been very obsevant of road conditions this winter. And even here in Minneapolis in the middle of winter, the roads are dry about 90% of the time. After a major snowfall, the roads are usually cleared right away and are totally dry again within 24 hours. So even though I will need snow tires next year (if I want to get out of the driveway), cold weather driving on dry pavement is almost more important than being able to drive through a blizzard.
So how are they (the Blizzaks) on dry pavement?

They're rather mushy. Don't expect to have the same lateral grip and razer sharp steering response as the RSA or Eagle F1 Supercar tires. That's what you give up when you gain the ability to go anywhere you want to regardless of conditions, short of the snow being so deep that the wheels no longer reach the ground.

In my case, the H-rated Blizzak LM22 was not good enough for me to make it up my hill in the BMW. The Q-rated Blizzak WS-50 was. So that made my decision for me. When I put the winter wheels on, I switch to a more laid back style of driving. I haven't had a chance to try out the Blizzak DM-Z3 tires yet - just put them on today. But I expect they will be similar to the WS-50, given the Q speed rating and the large, soft tread blocks.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by NightBandit

...How do those Blizzaks drive on dry pavement?...

Per Tire Rack, not nearly as well as the Scorpion Ice & Snow.

I'll be interested in seing Dave's opinion as well.

[DZeckhausen]

Originally Posted by Meister

Per Tire Rack, not nearly as well as the Scorpion Ice & Snow.

I'll be interested in seing Dave's opinion as well.

Be careful not to lump all Blizzak's into the same category. The H-rated Blizzak LM22 gives up some ability in deep snow and ice in exchange for much better handling in the dry. The Blizzak WS-50, REVO1, and DM-Z3 are all Q-rated snow tires with ultimate ice and snow handling ability at the expense of reduced tread life and less sporty dry handling. But when there's snow on the ground, you can run circles around everyone else.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

Be careful not to lump all Blizzak's into the same category. The H-rated Blizzak LM22 gives up some ability in deep snow and ice in exchange for much better handling in the dry. The Blizzak WS-50, REVO1, and DM-Z3 are all Q-rated snow tires with ultimate ice and snow handling ability at the expense of reduced tread life and less sporty dry handling. But when there's snow on the ground, you can run circles around everyone else.

Yes, I carefully reviewed, yet again, the performance ratings for all 6 or 7 Blizzaks before posting my earlier comment.

The Scorpion Ice & Snow shows numbers nearly as good in the snow, often better on ice, and always superior on dry pavement when compared to the Blizzak family.

The Blizzak DM-Z3 itself is a great looking and performing winter tire which shines everywhere but in the dry, where it's no slouch - just not up to par with the Scorpion Ice & Snow.

[artichoke]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

Well, it took a month, but it looks like we're finally getting some snow today. The latest report, as the snow begins to fall, is that we'll get 10 to 16 inches by tomorrow afternoon. I filled up the snowblower with gas and ran it for a while (love those electric starts!) and I put the Borbet wheels w/Blizzaks on the SRT8. Now I'm ready to play in the snow!

Are you going to switch to the Stoptech brakes?