i was thinking about some Yoko AVS sports staggered to the stock M3 setup, 225/45/17 & 245/40/17 .. but im not a tire guru to know if they're good enough for winter.. ive gotten caught outside in snow with my car and the tires i had were garbage.. (Sumitumo's).. what are the best winter tires available?

The Pirelli Snowsport 210's or 240's are pretty good.

Also, Michelin pilot alpins give you decent lateral perfomance.

Hakk's are nice but $$

I was running Blizzaks for the last few years and they kicked butt in the snow. This year I'm trying out the Pilot Alpins...

I don't think Yoko AVS Sports are designed for winter. I'm running Michelin Pilot Alpins. Good for if your streets are regularly cleaned. Great for handling on dry roads in the winter. They don't have the same bite in deep snow as the Arctic Alpins, but you have to gauge what your environment's going to be like in the winter.

AVS Sports are NOT an option for snow. They are amazing in the rain for an ultra-high perf tire. In the snow they just plain suck. Nokian Hakks are the best, but like it has been said they are money and the dry grip isnt that good. My advice would be to go with Yoko AVS dBs since they are classified as an all-season tire. It won't compromise your dry performance too much and will let you drive in the snow if need be.

Originally posted by m3 boy
The Pirelli Snowsport 210's or 240's are pretty good.

Also, Michelin pilot alpins give you decent lateral perfomance.

I've had the Pirelli Winter 210WP and they were crap.
I've since switched to Michelin Arctic Alpines, who needs 4wd when you've got a 75lb box and good grip?

Manny for your reference, to go up the Hills of Orange on rt280 west with the Pirellis I had to be careful with spinning the car. With the Michelins, I turned off the ACT+T and gunned it all the way up the hills.

Don't get the blizzaks if you plan on driving your car even semi-aggresively. They squirm way to much and handling is at the point of scary.

yea last year SUCKED ASS with the tires i had on 280 in the snow storms when i got caught out in them blizzards.. sound like Michelin wins.. thanks everybody :D

Have used the Arctic-Alpins for the past 2 years. Excellent tire. I was thinking about switching to the Nokian Hakkepalitta Q's. They are supposed to be the best ice/snow tire in the world, but of course they are slightly more expensive. The Arctic-Alpins have been discontinued, but I managed to get another set.

Dude just get a snowmobile for winter, screw the tires. ;)