Well... Thanks heffergm and others for help!

Going to get Hakka 4 225/45R17 for the front and back.

 

You can't drive a studded tire on any surface except snow. So if you find yourself confronted with a nice clear paved road, you'll destroy your studded tires in no time.

Studs are only for people with dedicated snow vehicles.

 

I bought Michelin PIlot Alpin 2's from CostCo for my Mazda. I don't know if they come in your size. Great price with coupon. I haven't had other snow tires so I cannot really compare them. But as far as I can tell these provide better dry road handling than most winter tires, but aren't as good in the snow. They're far better than all-seasons in the snow, and it hasn't snowed much, so I'm happy.

 

I've been trying to get an idea of what winter tires are going to set me back for this next winter and am having trouble finding the sizes I need. On Tirerack, they've got the Dunlop Winter Sport M3's in 255/40/18, but nothing for the front (225/40/18). And they don't have either size for the Blizzak LM-25's.

Do you think this is because they're out of season or just hard to find in 18s?

 

Both. You should really get a set of 17" wheels and tires. The 17"s are simply better in the snow.

 

True, 17's would be better, but I'd really hate to have to drop a couple grand more on rims just for the winter. Based on some other posts I know some others have gotten 18" snow tires and seem to be doing ok.

 

The Dunlop M3's sold out early in the snow season. I'm told they are a great tire by those who have them. I'm thinking of ordering them at the beginning of next season. And I wil stay with the 18's because on a really bad snow day I can take our SUV. I was looking at getting another set of wheels but if you add the tire sensor it becomes rather expensive. Another option is the Conti or Mich UHP all season tires.

 

I run Pirelli Wintersport 18X 225 and 18X255 on my IS350 and they have been great all winter, this is coming from an ex AWD Highlander owner. Now I'm not saying that the IS is as good as the Highlander in all respects, but I was surprised at how well it handled the deep soft stuff and the icey slushy stuff. The brakes are outstanding even in snow, and I am very careful to keep an eye on the drivers behind me when stopping abruptly.

 

The Dunlops were sold out VERY early in the season. I ordered snows for my IS the first week in December, and the only thing they had left in the stock in the 18" sizes were the Pirelli SnowSports. While I was disappointed in them after the first snowfall (which was a rain -> sleet -> snow event), I've been much happier with their performance in (less challenging) subsequent storms.

 

Awesome...thats what I wanted to hear. I guess the moral of the story is order the Dunlops or Blizzak's early in the year.

 

I ordered Dunlop M3s with 17" rims from tire rack in November last year.
I had Blizzaks on my A4 but I really didn't like the "squishy" feeling on dry roads. The Tire Rack guy suggested the M3s for better dry behavior.
After the first now here I was impressed with the performance (not quite as good as my old Blizzaks) but once the now was cleared I realized that I didn't want to switch back to my summer tires. That did not happen with my Blizzaks.
We have had a pretty mild winter here in the midwest, and I have been very happy with my M3s. I would highly recommend them for middle snow fall areas. If you live in an area where the snow hangs around, then the Blizzaks are better.

Bradman