Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Miata witer tyres.
Excellent product. Car gets "pointy" above 100K, below that traction to rival a caterpillar
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 Performance Winter tire. 195/55/15.
Living in Northern Colorado where the plains meet the Rocky Mtns, our winter weather fluctuates between sunny 45 degrees today and 20 degress with 10 inches of snow tomorrow. No kidding. I needed a winter tire with superior winter snow/ice traction AND reasonable dry pavement handling. After much research on Miata.net, I orderd four B'stone Blizzak LM-22 (95/55/15) from T&T Tire in Loveland last November 2004. Also got four 15" steel wheels since my 2001 LS has 16" stock wheels. Many people seem to swear by other Blizzaks with softer tread compound, but considering the number of non-snow days here, I went with the LM-22 which is advertised as having a harder tread to provide better dry pavement handling (while sacrificing some snow/ice traction). It's now May 2005 and my verdict is: although not cheap (approx $130 + mount/balance), these tires are well worth it. You get what you pay for and I feel I received a superior product. At reasonable, c! autious speeds I got to work every day, happily ran errands and smiled as I passed front-wheel drive cars and 4x4s in ditches. 1 to12 inches of snow: no problem. Ice-packed interstates: no problem. Snow-packed hilly roads: no-o-o-o problem. I think I could have driven anywhere except really steep mountain roads. Dry pavement handling is solid, but I would not say "performance". Corners sometimes feel a little soft, and hard cornering is not precise, but the tires hold and don't squeal unless I push it and stupidly forget the blocky tread design and the H speed-rating. Road noise is noticable, but not really too bad. Highway speeds from 50-90 mph (again, non-snow days) are stable without wandering or pulling. I had a terrible 65 mph shimmy, but re-balancing solved it 100%. Treadwear after 8000 miles is (surprisingly) minimal and without rounding of the tread blocks (sorry I don't have a tread-depth measurement). Bottom line: if you need winter tires with excellent ! snow/ice traction that also handle decently on dry pavement, ! the LM-22 did great by me. When these wear out I will buy another set.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's 195/55/15's
I have a 2001 LS which comes with the 205/45/16 stock wheels and tires. A bit harsh for the Chicago winter. These blizzaks in 195/55/15's are amazing. Much smoother, comfy ride and still handle very well. Of course they dont stick as well as the 16's but these are winter tires.
Snow traction: Amazing, confidence inspiring. Even if you force a power slide they eventually bit and retain traction. With these tires you can actually look forward to driving this car in the snow. Only small negative is that lane change stability at highway speeds is not as stable as with stock tires. You can sometimes feel the sidewalls wobble a bit at higher speeds, nothing major. Overall highly recommended if you need to drive your Miata in the snow.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 +
Snow tires in 185/60/QR14 purchased from TireRack
Tires came mounted and balanced on stell wheels. Had the wheels installed quickly. A quick run in the snow proved that this was a great investment. Night and day compared to my summer tires. (obviously) I'm not afraid to get caught in the snow anymore.
If you live in an area where there is snow, you should probably get snow tires of some kind.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
14" Bridgestone Blizzak tires on black steelies as ordered from Tire Rack. These were a package deal at a good price.
I live in Ohio, where snowfall varies each winter. There're usually a several really bad days and a whole lot of wet slushy ones. But you really can't count on it being either one way or the other. Nevertheless, I knew I'd better get some snow tires or else I might find myself in trouble. I ordered the Blizzaks because they were hands down the most recommended snow tires. Well, our winter wasn't that bad at first, and I soon began to realize that when they say "snow tire" they really mean SNOW TIRE. While they're acceptable when it's dry out, they have been downright slippery in the wet weather. I started to think that maybe they weren't a good purchase after all since I don't live in, say, Denver or Wisconsin. Finally in February, there was major, MAJOR snowfall, with level 2 through 4 snow emergencies all over central and southern Ohio. GOOD THING I WAS RUNNING BLIZZAKS! They performed like magic, taking me through snow that left other cars stranded and kept most people home.
Good price for tires that turn your car into a snowmobile when there's actually snow on the ground. Otherwise, you'll be doing a lot of wheel spinning, cautious driving, and dreaming of dryer times. My impression: it takes some serious snow to make them worth while, but then you'll be glad you've gottem!
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
bridgestone blizzak ws-50 snow tires
Took me up the mountain every day in B.C. NO BETTER POWDER GETTER. Miatas are not traction monsters.- until now.
I live in Ontario now, and nothing else gives me the confidence on the 401.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Blizzak WS-50 snow and ice tire
I have had two previous seasons in Wisconsin driving my 93 Miata in the worst of Wisconsin weather...and I love it. I also spent those two years bragging about how great the Blizzak is, and have convinced nearly a dozen others to put them on their cars. I even entered into the ongoing "Nokian Hakkapaletta vs. Blizzak" debate, saying the Blizzak is better. I decided this year to put my money where my mouth is, and bought a set of the Nokian Hakka Q's. I HATE them! These are downright dangerous. I may as well drive on all season tires. I was very dissapointed in the Hakkas, and went out and bought a new set of Blizzaks half way through winter. The Hakkas last longer, but what's the point if they don't perform??? Stick with BLIZZAKS!!!!!!!!
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Blizzak WS50 - 185 - 60 X 14 on steel wheels
Excellent - Except for the fact that I can't have the top down, in many respects the car is more fun to drive in the winter with the Blizzaks than in the summer with it's standard 195 - 50 X 15 sport tires. Better ride, quieter, more tossable, etc. The great balance and control of the Miata combined with these tires made 48" of December 2000 snow an absolute blast. The 4Ruinner sat in the driveway.
Seriously considering loosening up the summer handling and improving the ride and noise a little with a set of 185 - 60 X14 "somethings" ILO the standard big gumballs.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Studless Snow Tires
EXCELLENT!!! THRILLINGLY
I'm a die hard testimonial for Blizzak. After hitting black ice and slamming into a bridge, one of my friends recommended Blizzak tires. I live in the mountains of Idaho and travel to the valley each day. On the road I encounter trucks, hunters, deer, elk, and coyote. Road conditions vary significantly slime-mud, rink ice, black ice, slush covered ice. The terrain is rugged steep sharp dangerous curves along the creek, and un-maintained roads.
These tires GRAB!! While other drivers are stuck in snow drifts, sliding off the road, I putt right by them. I enjoy the opportunity assisting motorists in distress by pulling them out and sharing my BLIZZAK ADVENTURES. It is wonderful to feel the road under your backside and not have it pucker!
It makes me giggle, the people on the road are typically men... No harrassment intended, but quite an EGO RUSH for a single BLONDE! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE TIRES AND IT EXCITES ME WHEN I CAN SHARE MY TIRE ADVENTURES WITH OTHERS.
Not an installed item
I can't say enough good about these. They got me through two Wisconsin winters, and had a lot of tread left on them when I sold them. You actually look FORWARD to getting snow dumped on you, just so you can go out and play in it. The tread feels squirmy at first, like you're sitting on a pencil eraser, but the tires grip and grip, on pavement and ice. I didn't see any sign of excessive wear after two years (no idea how many total miles, maybe 5000-8000), and that included a lot of highway driving on cleared roads, which is supposed to be hard on them.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Bridgestone Blizzaks Snowtires
This is just another "thumbs up" report on the Blizzaks. The first two were purchased 4 years ago, but the following year, I bought another two and mounted all four on a set of steel rims. Definitely a big plus to have all 4 tires. I keep the snow wheel/tire set on the miata only when snow is around so the tires stay in good shape. Dry pavement is rough on 'em.
These tires really are as good as others have indicated. They make the miata drive just as good if not a little better than the average front wheel drive car. Today, there was 14 inches of snow on the ground, and the neighborhood streets were not plowed. Many cars found themselves stuck in our neighborhood... but not the miata. The looks the neighbors gave when they saw this little sports car make its way to our house were very funny. Everybody just stops in amazement, myself included.
Needless to say, they are worth the money if you plan to drive your miata through the ice and snow.
Snow Tires, 185 60R14 on Stock Steel Rims.
Can you say SNOWMOBILE? Since my wife recently started working, she takes the 4x4 that I would use on snow days. I knew my Dunlops D60's don't work in snow and ice except with chains. To save my fillings, I decided for the best snow tires and had four Blizzaks mounted. Wow! what a difference. I am very impressed with how the car handles in curves, hills (up and down), braking and acceleration and during lane changing. I do recommend adding weight in the trunk for extra traction during acceleration. I got a 75lb tube of sand for about $3.00 at our local Home Depot. Denver is expected to receive a lot of snow this winter and I am not worried, unless the snow fall exceeds my ground clearance.
Worth the cost for peace of mind. Slides too easily on warm days (50 degrees plus) and feels sluggish during lane changes.
Oh my GOD! What a grip. I cannot believe I survived last winter without my Blizzak snow tires. Think how your best Performance tire would handle on a hot summer day, on dry, grainy blacktop pavement...yes, that's the way the Blizzaks felt. I have no fear when I am on the road. Lane changing is accurate and very, very responsive. They grip really good on tight curves too. They are worth their price. I paid $364 in Brighton, Michigan at the local Belle Tire (that includes tire rotation, balancing and mounting/"dismounting" for as lonf as I keep the tires). They look good too!
185R-14 size
I got these with new steel wheels from The Tire Rack last year (winter of 94-95). They work very well on both snow and ice, providing traction just short of studs. They are not "performance" tires, so the handling on dry pavement is degraded. They feel a lot more "squirrely" on pavement than the OEM Bridgestone S325's. We have used them for half of last winter and the first half of this winter (95-96) (maybe 5K miles) so I don't have a good feel yet for their wear characteristics.
Recommended (if you need good snow tires).
Winter tires for miata
Fantastic. I live in Toronto, Ontario. Worst snow season in years. Had 4 blizzaks on the Miata. I had better control than most folks around me, in both deep snow and ice. Absolutely trustworthy handling on wet surfaces in the early spring and early winter, when not only ice, but unpleasant hydroplaning and freezing rain prevail. If you value your safety in the heavy winter in this little car, bet them. They bloody well work!
Worth every penny. Like magic. You won't believe it, even in deep snow.
| Back to Wheel & Tire Reviews | 29 January, 2006 |