Tire: SP Winter Sport 3D
Category: Performance Winter / Snow
UTQG (treadwear): Not rated
By far, this is my top choice for an all around winter tire, and I'll just say that at the outset so you know where I'm coming from. The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D comes in a wide range of sizes and has proven to be a very versatile winter tire across all types of vehicles, but especially so for more sporty cars...which means you'll find that this tire is available in low profile versions so you can keep your high performance rims on during the winter. This is a very high tech tire, using a reactive silica tread compound to increase elasticity at low temperatures (very important), and it also uses Dunlop's in-house developed and proprietary JointLess Band to create a wide contact patch. Just like all other winter tires, these should only be installed in sets of four.
This is one of the few winter tires that can be left on for all four seasons if you're in a mild climate. Not that I recommend that, but I've known plenty of drivers that actually do that because the SP Winter Sport 3D traction is so good. That being said, if you use them as advertised, expect to see about 60,000 miles out of a set, which is very good for the traction you get. Doesn't matter what you drive -a high horse power rear drive car, or a basic compact- these tires get the job done. You will not be disappointed, though be prepared for your wallet to feel some pain.
Also available in a run flat version: Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D DSST RunOnFlat
