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[bma]

Just mounted a set of these on my e92 (225/40/18 all around), and the car is floaty as hell! I knew I was going to lose some performance switching to winter tires, but I was still surprised how bad they were on the highway. Hopefully they will make up for it when we get some snow....

Anyone else with impressions on this tire?

[CirrusSR22]

I'm on my third winter with the WS-60 and yes they are floaty, but I've driven much worse. The older Blizzak WS-50 for one! New tires are extra floaty/squishy due to the mold release agent (oil, basically) that takes a few hundred miles to wear off. Give them a few weeks and you will forget alot about how squishy they are.

I have the same thoughts every fall. It's weird how soft they are, then about a week later I have pretty much forgot about it.

Originally Posted by bma

Hopefully they will make up for it when we get some snow....

^ That's exactly the reason I still don't use "performance" winters. I could sure get by with them, but on those super-nasty winter days I feel they are worth their weight in gold. You feel like the safest, most secure car on the road.

[bma]

New tires are extra floaty/squishy due to the mold release agent (oil, basically) that takes a few hundred miles to wear off.

I didn't know that....thats somewhat reassuring. Hopefully they will get better.

[halB]

That's the trade off.

Excellent ice and snow performance = very soft rubber compound and soft sidewall = poor dry road performance

Good dry road performance = firm rubber compound and sidewall = poor ice and snow performance

Unfortunately you can't have the cake and eat it too. There is a whole spectrum of tires available that are between these two extremes. You just have to find one that fits your needs.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by halB

You just have to find one that fits your needs.

Bingo. I've always seen the performance winter vs. "standard" winter tire debate to be almost 100% personal preference. Understanding the trade-offs and picking what you most value.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by bma

I didn't know that....thats somewhat reassuring. Hopefully they will get better.

Here's some more info.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=5

Almost every new tire I've bought felt pretty bad the first few days. I bought some Fuzion ZRi tires once (summer-only performance, made by Bridgestone) and thought they were absolutely scary the first few days. Once they were broken-in they were rock-solid, stable and provided more grip than I ever could need. Never would have thought that was possible based on the first days of driving them.

[bma]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Here's some more info.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=5

Almost every new tire I've bought felt pretty bad the first few days. I bought some Fuzion ZRi tires once (summer-only performance, made by Bridgestone) and thought they were absolutely scary the first few days. Once they were broken-in they were rock-solid, stable and provided more grip than I ever could need. Never would have thought that was possible based on the first days of driving them.

Thanks

[3lusive]

I mounted a set of WS60s 205/55/16 all around and coming from contiprocontact RFTs, the ride felt smoother.

they seem fine on the highway as well...how is it different from your summer setup?

[zhangzeyuandss]

My setup was the same 4 225 40 18 all around. Same problem.. i feels like i was riding on some marshmallows..way too soft..even when you floor the pedal. you still feels like you are going no where ...lol

Originally Posted by bma

Just mounted a set of these on my e92 (225/40/18 all around), and the car is floaty as hell! I knew I was going to lose some performance switching to winter tires, but I was still surprised how bad they were on the highway. Hopefully they will make up for it when we get some snow....

Anyone else with impressions on this tire?

[kugasman]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

New tires are extra floaty/squishy due to the mold release agent (oil, basically) that takes a few hundred miles to wear off. Give them a few weeks and you will forget alot about how squishy they are.

^ That's exactly the reason I still don't use "performance" winters. I could sure get by with them, but on those super-nasty winter days I feel they are worth their weight in gold. You feel like the safest, most secure car on the road.

I agree. I went with the LM-60 and had a similar experience. Even though they are performance winters they seem pretty similar to the WS-60 in tread etc. Hope the squishiness pays off when it starts snowing.

[bma]

Well we had some snow, and the WS-60s definately made up for their shortcomings on dry pavement.

Sure-footed as a mountain goat