Winter tires - Blizzak LM-60 or X-Ice Xi2?

EazyD

Lots of users recommended Blizzaks in the past. Reading the reviews on Tirerack, the Michelin X-Ice is getting good marks, but haven't seen much on them in here.

Attaching the comparison of specs.
Michelin X-ice Xi2 product page & reviews: TireRack.com Tire Reviews
Bridgestone Blizzak lm-60 product page & reviews: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60

From a 350Z owner:

"Tire performance in snow was decent, but not as good as my previous set (Michelin X-Ice Xi2) of winter tires. What was really disappointing was the tread wear. The tires started to cup very early into their life, which caused a constant vibration throughout the car (particularly at highway speeds). When I went back to the Firestone shop, they refused to reimburse me or offer any kind of future discount because they claim that the cupping was caused by the lack of tire rotation, not their inferior product. These tires have a directional tread (can only rotate in one direction) and my front and rear tires are different sizes, so it is impossible to rotate these tires. This is a pretty common trait on a lot of sports cars. You would think that Bridgestone could make a tire that could handle not being rotated."

edit: I searched the forum and only one person that said they were decent. (Michelin X-ice Xi2) -- and other threads said "the x-ice should be good" but no real comparison to the Blizzaks everyone else has been raving about.

Also, if anybody around here has OEM 18s for sale, let me know.

edit #2: X-ice has better speed rating, too, didn't highlight that.

Attached Images

winterset.jpg (67.6 KB, 34 views)

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Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

kenchan

being a bridgestone guy that i am (and previous suceess with their WS60), i will be getting the LM60's for my dd soon.

m4a1mustang

Of those I would get the Blizzaks.

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ChrisSlicks

I don't have a direct comparison on the same vehicle but I use the X-Ice2 tires on a different vehicle and have been very happy with them. The usual full tread depth snow tire squirm but very predictable, doesn't even mind being pushed to the limit around a ramp although you'll get a fair amount of squeal. Light to moderate snow traction is excellent, deep snow traction pretty good as well. Wear has been very even so far after 2 seasons on them.

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90 ST

just throwing it out there, but i've had great luck with Hankook iPike...

m4a1mustang

I use the Dunlop Wintersport M3. They are a good tire with better dry pavement performance than the Blizzaks, but for NOVA winters they do very well.

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cossie1600

I used the IPikes on my Prius, they suck. My blizzaks were better

EazyD

BTW - I was presented with only three tires when I entered my specs into Tirerack.com -- and only a few wheels when I went wheel shopping on there. How am I missing so much?

I basically want a 18" wheel and snow set, but not the wheels AK got in his initial post. (I think they're ugly)

I feel stupid I don't know how to shop for these things - never did it before.

edit: the set should be a square set so I can rotate them front to back. Another thing I don't know about is spacers to make it look decent.
edit #2: I told it I had a base coupe instead of sport package, and it still only shows me a small selection of wheels.. at staggered sizes.

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Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

90 ST

Just search by size, if you type in the car it will give you staggered sizes.

ChrisSlicks

Tire rack is pretty much useless for wheel shopping. It will only show you staggered wheels that it knows fit the vehicle, and if you browse the wheels without entering car information then you can't buy online.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

kenchan

send email to alex@tirerack.com

he can get you wat you want regardless of which car it is.

EazyD

+1 to you guys.
I e-mailed Alex @ Tirerack.

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Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

EazyD

Thx - any reason?

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Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

m4a1mustang

They are proven and seem to get better survey reviews.

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ChrisSlicks

From the Blizzak fan-boys

I've talked to a lot of people that have had both, the X-Ice is a comparable tire and is cheaper. They have stolen pretty much all of Bridgestone's tech from over the years.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms