I've watched this forum and tirerack.com for a couple months to learn all I could about tires for my 06 STS N*. I've learned a lot thanks to the great folks here, and with winter weather approaching new tires were a must for my ride. Throughout the summer I panicked anytime rain covered the roads as my tread was so worn I had to coast through all turns and use minimum acceleration at all times. I even felt the back end break loose once while driving in a heavy rain at 65mph with the cruise engaged on a highway. no fun at all.

Since I'm in the Chicago area I want something with decent wet/snow characteristics but still capable of standing up to some spirited driving in good conditions. I narrowed my search to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 thanks to all the threads on the topic here.

I have 235/50R17 on all 4 right now - a special order, non-staggered setup from the factory according to the RPO codes.

A couple weeks ago Bridgestone released a new model Blizzak (LM-60), and I was pleasantly surprised to see tirerack.com drop the LM-22 prices from $161 to $122 for the H-rated tires. My local tire guy (and neighbor) matched the price and I'm the proud owner of a set of Blizzak LM-22s. $625 installed

OMG what a difference. Yes, they are a little noisier than my originals but well within tolerances in exchange for actually being able to USE THE BLASTED GAS PEDAL IN THE RAIN!! I can now execute a left turn out of a stop light on wet roads just like the rest of the cars and trucks around me instead of letting them all go by me as I crawl through the turn.

Since these are speed rated Performance Winter tires their rubber compound is not designed to degrade as quickly as standard winter tires. I might put the old tires back on in the height of next summer, but I'll probably just ride the Blizzaks for the duration. I feel a slight drop in dry road handling compared to the slicks I had on before but I prefer wet road handling in my daily driver over pure dry road performance of the original tires.

I too have read this forum to gain insight into as many topics about the STS
as I could since I own an 05 RWD V6 version. I want to say thanks to everyone for all the information I have garnered. Sometimes it raises more questions than it solves but that's cool.
I also just recently purchased the Blizzak's LM-22s. I haven't had any snow to drive in yet (but in Vermont it should arrive any day now : ) but so far these tires have been great. They are a true snow tire but as MacMuse says, they are a high performance snow tire and should wear well.
On the topic of replacement tires on STS's with staggered fronts and backs (mine also are 235/50/17 on front and 255/45/17 on rear) I was told by my local dealership (after they made many phone calls and I even called Caddy headquarters directly) that you can run 235/50's all around. I am doing that for the winter and will put the Michelin's back on in the spring/summer. (they still have plenty of tread... although thanks to the info on this forum I will probably put the Pilot sport A/S's on when they wear out.)
I also thought that if you had an AWD (STS4) that all 4 tires were the same size and maybe only the RWD had the staggered setup... maybe I'm wrong.
Anyway, just wanted to put my 2cents in on the Blizzaks LM-22 (although they are discontinuing them shortly) and to say thanks to everyone for all the great info.... long live the STS.....

I've watched this forum and tirerack.com for a couple months to learn all I could about tires for my 06 STS N*. I've learned a lot thanks to the great folks here, and with winter weather approaching new tires were a must for my ride. Throughout the summer I panicked anytime rain covered the roads as my tread was so worn I had to coast through all turns and use minimum acceleration at all times. I even felt the back end break loose once while driving in a heavy rain at 65mph with the cruise engaged on a highway. no fun at all.

Since I'm in the Chicago area I want something with decent wet/snow characteristics but still capable of standing up to some spirited driving in good conditions. I narrowed my search to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 thanks to all the threads on the topic here.

I have 235/50R17 on all 4 right now - a special order, non-staggered setup from the factory according to the RPO codes.

A couple weeks ago Bridgestone released a new model Blizzak (LM-60), and I was pleasantly surprised to see tirerack.com drop the LM-22 prices from $161 to $122 for the H-rated tires. My local tire guy (and neighbor) matched the price and I'm the proud owner of a set of Blizzak LM-22s. $625 installed

OMG what a difference. Yes, they are a little noisier than my originals but well within tolerances in exchange for actually being able to USE THE BLASTED GAS PEDAL IN THE RAIN!! I can now execute a left turn out of a stop light on wet roads just like the rest of the cars and trucks around me instead of letting them all go by me as I crawl through the turn.

Since these are speed rated Performance Winter tires their rubber compound is not designed to degrade as quickly as standard winter tires. I might put the old tires back on in the height of next summer, but I'll probably just ride the Blizzaks for the duration. I feel a slight drop in dry road handling compared to the slicks I had on before but I prefer wet road handling in my daily driver over pure dry road performance of the original tires.

You put H rated tires on an STS N* ???:confused:

You put H rated tires on an STS N* ???:confused:

I should have put more S rated on instead ?

i was thinking v

I suppose I should have searched for the Bilzzak V rated tires. TireRack.com showed them for just $109, but they claimed only 2 in stock. Wonder if I could have got that price for 4 through my service guy. Then again, I've only hit 112mph (so far) on the old S rated tires. I really just enjoy the responsive in the 90 and under speeds more than the pure top end possibilities.

The rating on the tire is more that just the speed factor. Tires are constructed differently based on the rating also. Short story, when I bought my old 92 STS it handled like crap. Come to find out, someone had put S rated tires on it when the OEM fitment was H rated. After I put on the proper H rated tires, the handling was like night and day. Moral of the story, never put on a lower rated tire than what the manufacturer calls for. The suspension is not tuned for a lower rated tire. My 08 STS fitment is for V rated tires or better.

Good choice on tires! Running 19" LM-60 myself this winter, awesome tire! Any STS guys who need them, check out the new LM-60's.

Nice... I know I made a few post about running the LM22's year round... I have 4 on a sts4 and 2 on a V8.. Great deal, Great ride and no traction active light anymore.