I was just looking on tirerack.com for winter tires that fit our sport 19' rims, and it looks like Bridgestone has the old LM-25s as well as the new LM-60s in that size. I have two sets of sport 19's, so I'm not even considering a set of 18's (I don't need three sets of wheels laying around). So basically, does anyone know what the difference between the LM-25 and LM-60 is? The product description is almost identical, but the tread pattern is obviously very different. Any help is appreciated.

 

^^ I'm looking for the same info. I need a set of tires to survive the Cincinnati winter.

 

Dayton winter here!! I have a buddy who's a manager at Gem City Tire, and he's looking into some things for me. As best we can tell, Bridgestone is consolidating the LM-25 and LM-22 lineups into the LM-60 model. So the LM-60 will eventually replace the other tires completely.

Also, TireRack and a number of other websites no longer have the LM-25 in stock in 245/40-19. So if you're running sport 19's, then I guess you're stuck with the LM-60 either way.

 

Both come from the same class of snow tire really. Many liked the clear day handling the 25's gave, but complained about the harsher snow/ice traction. They really were not built for heavy climate use, but they redesigned the tire anyway. The LM60 is basically the WS60 w/out the tube multicell tread compound. The increased sipes and more aggressive directional tread design should help out quite a bit in the fresh powder. I say "should" because they haven't been on the market through the winter yet.

We tested these a couple weeks ago on the ice rink. The 60's, I felt, did much better than the 25's I use to own. If it were myself I'd use the new 60. They are the newest design, technology, and easier to source if one gets damaged.

 

I'm looking at these tires myself for my G37S Sedan. Should I buy them in the staggered size or should I put 225-50-18 all around????

 

Our packages typically run 225/50-18 all around.

 

The 60's are significantly more money, too, aren't they.

I just bought a set of the 25's yesterday from Tirerack.
They came today.
Couldn't believe they got way up here in 18hrs for 50 bucks shipping.

 

When I did it through your website I gave me the staggered set-up.
Tire Search Results

Is there a difference in over-all performance If i decide to run my winter tires in a staggered set-up???

 

Less snow traction due to wider rears but better traction on dry pavement...

I used a staggered 19" set up last winter with the older LM-25s through a Canadian winter without issue. Keep in mind, however, that on really bad days I would take my wife's SUV. But anything less than an inch or 2 was fine.

 

I know one of our members Sailfish use a staggered set-up last year. His G is his every day car and he's in my area. I'll IM to get more info. But he told me once he had no issues commuting from NY to NJ everyday.

 

blizzacks suck. go to 18" for winter and get the pilot alpins from Michelin. I have had both and the michelin is 100% better. The blizzacks are not going back on my car this winter. i am not even selling them. knife to the side wall and into the bin.

 

The Blizzak is the best winter tire I've ever used in 41 yrs of driving in the extreme winter conditions we have up here.

And I've tried a bunch over the yrs.

 

have fun with them they are not as good as the michelin's and I was not lieing I have bought the michelins and have them mounted and the blizzacks are going in the bin. I have built tires for a living and I know the good ones and the bad ones. And the blizzacks. are no wear neer the tire the michelin is. You want and even better one get the X-ice 2 they rock over all but studded tires.

 

Only problem with the Michelin's is they don't come in 225-50-18's I would need to mount an alternate size.

 

This will be my 2nd set of Blizzaks, and can say nothing but good about them. I've not used the Michelins, but know people who have and their opinion is not the same as yours.
Consumer Reports rates the Michelin well below the Blizzak, also.

We get 250"-300" of snow up here every yr.
The side roads are nothing but several inches of ice built up on them for the winter.
It's well into April before bare pavement appears.

Only the main highway through town is bare.
We don't have a 4 lane road within 180 miles one way and about 140 miles the other.

This is "real" winter up here-
It's highly unlikely your "winter" driving experience is the same as mine-