cdnguy

It may be early, but it's never too early for us north of the 49th!

I have an '02 LS430, 17" summer tires, and 16" rims for winter tires.

2 questions. 1. What size winter tire should I get?
2. Which winter tire should I get?

Thanks for your ideas.

Frank T

I run 215 x 65 x 16 Nokian WR's on my 03 as winter tires. WAY better than the 17" all seasons, and WAY better tire life. After two seasons they still look like new. I run them from November to May. They are noiser than the All Seasons, but are a HUGE improvement in traction. I would buy them again in a heart beat. The 215's are one size narrower than the Factory 16 inchers. I went the one size narrower for the smaller footprint (less flotaion, better bite).

These tires really take the pucker factor out of driving the car in fresh snow, and they handle ice really well. The factory All Seasons were really HS in snow.

Frank

cdnguy

Thanks Frank. I understand the Nokians are a great tire as well. Has anybody tried the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3s? I'm interested by your tire size, which is a size smaller than recommended for the 16" rims. Were there any other ramifications of using the smaller tire - eg. speedometer, odometer, Nav etc.?

Frank T

The 215 Nokians are almost exactly the same overall size as my Factory 17's, so no effect on the speedo etc.(I checked that out before I bought as I had the same questions as you ).

Personally I have seen NO downside other than a little noise, and you will get that with any winter tire. On the plus side the car went from feeling like you were driving on grease to being in control.

I also think the car tracks better on a dry highway with the Nokians vs the Factory All Seasons.

BTW I paid $543 for the set of 4 installed on my rims. I picked up a set of new Lexus takeoffs on ebay for $315 + freight.

Frank

Lexusfreak

For the 16" winter rubber, I'd go with either 225 60 16 or 215 65 16 is what tirerack is suggesting.

As for what type of winter rubber, well you might want to check out www.tiretrends.com as it's a Canadian tire website kind of like the American tirerack.

One of the best choices for overall value & traction is the Hankook W300 Ice Bear (Available in both 16" sizes) & they are available in either H or V speed rated to boot! Contact the folks at tiretrends & I also have several tire shops I deal with the the GTA if you want the info. Hope this helps!

Here is some more info on the Hankook tire:

http://www.hankooktire.ca/tireproduct.asp?cat=5&model=1

AggieLS

I'm running 225/55HR17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3's on my '04 LS430 and had great success last year with them in several above normal snowfalls and trips. Put them on 17x8 Mille Miglia Spider II wheels from Tire Rack and not a problem at all.

cdnguy

Thanks for the info Lexusfreak. I'd appreciate the name of the tire shops you deal with in Toronto (I'm in Unionville) to compare the Nokians with the Hankooks.

Frank - I bought some Lexus knock-off 16" rims (although they have the Lexus insignia) locally, unused, for $440 Cdn, which was not a bad deal. They were originally bought from the local Lexus dealer. I like the idea of going with the 215's.

I note that Tirerack is high on the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3s. Anyone have a comment on these tires?